This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution/NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International Public License - CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-
sa/4.0/legalcode.es
Sinergias educativas
October - December Vol. 7 - 4 - 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
eISSN: 2661-6661
revistasinergias@uteq.edu.ec
Page 45-55
Received: January 22 , 2022
Approved: June 30 , 2022
Academic training through research
and links with rural community
organizations
Formación académica desde la investigación y
vinculación con organizaciones comunitarias rurales
Saadda Fatuly Adum
一
Keila Ketty Herrera Rivas
*
Abstract
Higher education institutions are a very representative step for the
new generations and for society, they are the cradle of the new
professionals who will be in charge of the country, so their
academic training must be comprehensive, with a holistic approach.
Research efforts and the link with society play a very important
role in the personal, academic and professional growth of the actors:
students-teachers-community. The research analyzes the perception
of students participating in the research project "Communication
strategies in rural community organizations with female leadership
in the province of Guayas", who aligned their degree work with the
objectives of the project, the social welfare of rural areas through
scientific and technical knowledge of the academy, based on a
descriptive methodology, with a qualitative approach and field
work, for direct observation and interviews with semi-structured
questions to participants. The results determine that the linking of
the key actors of the educational process with research and
integration with community organizations represents an enriching
*Magister, Universidad de Guayaquil,
Docente, Guayaquil, Ecuador
saadda.fatullya@ug.edu.ed
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2766-2082
* PhD, Universidad de Guayaquil, Docente,
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Keila.herrerar@ug.edu.ed
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6921-3472
Article
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
46
factor for their professional life and broadens their outlook towards
more creative solutions in the environment.
Keywords: Academia, research, community, community outreach,
society
Resumen
Las instituciones de educación superior son un peldaño muy
representativo para las nuevas generaciones y para la sociedad, son
la cuna de los neo profesionales que estarán a cargo del país, de tal
forma que su formación académica debe ser integral, con un
enfoque holístico. Las gestiones investigativas y la vinculación con
la sociedad cumplen un rol muy importante en el crecimiento
personal, académico y profesional de los actores: estudiantes-
docentes-comunidad. La investigación analiza la percepción de los
estudiantes participantes del proyecto de investigación “Estrategias
comunicacionales en organizaciones comunitarias rurales con
liderazgo femenino de la provincia del Guayas”, quienes alinearon
sus trabajos de titulación con los objetivos del proyecto, el
bienestar social de las zonas rurales mediante los conocimientos
científicos y técnicos de la academia, en base a una metodología
descriptiva, con enfoque cualitativo y trabajo de campo, para una
observación directa y entrevistas con preguntas semiestructuradas a
los participantes. Los resultados determinan que la vinculación de
los actores clave del proceso educativa en conjunto con la
investigación y la integración con las organizaciones comunitarias
representa un factor enriquecedor para su vida profesional y amplia
su panorama hacia soluciones más creativas en el entorno.
Palabras clave: Academia, investigación, vinculación con la
sociedad, comunidad
Introduction
The academy was born with the purpose of being a cradle of
knowledge, to build new learning models and disseminate theories
about the world and the reality known so far. In history, the Greeks
dialogued about new knowledge and questioned what was known.
Universities should be entities that promote questions about
paradigms and changes in the social behavior of individuals, from
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
47
the perspective of each professional branch. "Currently, higher
education focuses on the formation of skills and abilities in
university students to promote their comprehensive preparation"
(Pástor et al., 2020, p. 7).
Teachers and students can look at a social problem from their
perspective, this allows the generation of ideas to be more
enriching, due to the intercultural exchange of empirical and
scientific knowledge, the creativity factor and the enthusiasm for
the unknown.
The educational process not only builds knowledge, but also forms
part of the growth of the student, who absorbs and creates his own
criteria based on what he observes and learns in the academy, for
this reason, teachers are considered as trainers of lifestyle and
knowledge. (Herrera and Vilema, 2021, p. 79).
The observation of social phenomena represents in the actors of the
academy an opportunity to approach the conflicts of society. Senior
et al. (2021) in their study on the linkage of the university with
society highlight the importance of the pedagogical approaches
adopted for the design of strategies and activities, with the
objective that students develop skills and abilities, as an
opportunity for students to grow personally, academically and
professionally.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization emphasizes that:
"...the research function is a transversal axis in university
work; the university is the space where the production,
dissemination and application of knowledge takes shape,
assimilating those already generated by humanity and
producing new ones, through the research of teachers and
students whose purpose is social transformation. (UNESCO,
2008; quoted in Medina, 2018, p. 707)
Chuquimarca et al. (2017) in their research on the culture of
communication in teachers, highlight the importance of developing
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
48
cognitive skills in students and their ability to develop in the social
environment, based on strategies that promote the construction of
knowledge at the individual and collective level. Higher education
institutions maintain academic efforts that influence the quality of
new professionals, their ability to develop in the sociocultural
environment and the understanding of the different problems of
society from their field of action (De Aparicio et al., 2017). Hence,
the linkage with society is conceived as "...an exchange of skills,
knowledge and knowledge, where students, teachers and
community benefit" (Zambrano et al., 2020, p. 46).
The community represents families, neighborhoods, communes and
institutions that reflect the relationships within them, have
characteristics that identify them and a territory of physical space.
They share with students and teachers the historical experience
accumulated based on the contributions of its members in different
fields, therefore, in the process of linking a process of mutual
learning takes place.
In 2020 Gonzalez presents his study on operationalization and
measurement of the linkage with society and highlights that this
management promotes "social awareness and sensitivity" (CACES,
2020, p. 73). The linkage with the community is a logistics of
dependence and collective support, in which according to Viña et al.
(2019) there must be a "triple helix triangulation (TH), Business-
State-University" (p. 20); however, it is recognized that 4 key
actors are involved: the institution, teachers, students and the
community (Senior et al., 2021). It is "...a process where
knowledge, skills, assessments and experiences of individual and
collective activity are systematized...around a problem that
originates in practice and that is transformed with the incidence of
each of the subjects." (Concepción et al., 2020, p. 278)
Institutions are created by men and women for the development of
society, this sphere has allowed and allows the active participation
of academia in order to fulfill the social task, applying and sharing
scientific and technological knowledge for the welfare and
development of the community.
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
49
Zambrano et al. (2020) presented a model on the process or
systematization of the management of linkage with society and
emphasize that the strategic axes are defined by institutional
alliances, the creation of knowledge exchange networks,
institutional cooperation agreements and internationalization. They
also list the following dimensions within the process: 1) cultural, 2)
political, 3) economic, 4) social and 5) environmental. Finally, the
authors emphasize that in order to achieve an integral formation of
students, it is necessary to articulate the three dimensions: linkage-
teaching-research.
The common denominator in each of these axes is the need for
interaction, communication and mutual support between public
and/or private organizations and higher education institutions, in
order to achieve the financing of seed projects, research and
linkage. In the case of internationalization, it broadens horizons to
new approaches or global perspectives. An example is the funding
competitions of the embassies of different countries for projects
focused on the resolution of priority social needs. In the case of the
dimensions, everything is framed in the holistic approach, that is, a
global vision of the socio-cultural context, so the dynamics of
meaningful learning, with a theoretical and practical understanding,
must be prioritized. The linkage with the community allows
flexible minds to changes and induces creative, dynamic and
effective solutions.
Community outreach, besides being a requirement for higher
education students, is a social commitment due to the fact that its
purpose is to solve problems of society, knowledge transfer, help
people in need and acquire knowledge (Mendoza et al., 2017). It is
a management whose global vision is as follows:
seeks to have access to knowledge, as well as to transfer it to the
community, in many cases linking universities to sectors where
they do not have access to training and information, so that one of
the most evaluated points in the fulfillment of the link with society
is the promotion of knowledge (Tamayo et al., 2020, p. 36).
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
50
The community is the clearest representation of the collective life
of human groups and conglomerates, it is the basis that enables the
social development of the different strata. Research is a
"fundamental activity in the construction of the knowledge society"
(Olivera, 2020, p. 71), and achieving the triangulation of the
research, linkage and titling efforts, will allow the student to relate
to reality and achieve significant learning for life, which will allow
an approach to labor development as a future professional.
training should be continuous through scientific and academic
activities, the linkage in the learning process starts from the
learning environment in the academic aspect, whether it is the open
or closed environment (classroom), learning and empowerment are
promoted when it is handled in both environments (Noboa et al.,
2019, p. 45). To achieve this it is necessary that "there is more
direct communication through forums, work meetings, work tables
to reach commitments and improvements to the project." (Garcés et
al., 2018, p. 86).
Community projects consist of thinking about a set of interrelated
activities that should lead to the achievement of the expected
results. Similarly, the transformation process involves addressing a
real situation and changing it for the benefit of a collective or
society, therefore the participation of those involved is
necessary.(Moraima and Aldana, 2019, p. 151).
Higher education institutions have the responsibility and at the
same time the necessary knowledge and experience to take on this
challenge, hence the commitment to permanently update
knowledge, acquire new knowledge, recreate methodologies and
innovate the practices of linkage, degrees and research with
problems and needs from and for the communities.
The monitoring and control process within the process of the
different academic and programmed areas of training are essential
for the development and implementation of community projects
(Moraima and Aldana, 2019, p. 166).
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
51
Evaluation is one of the fundamental elements of the community
outreach work, it has the characteristic of being permanent, it is the
task of the whole group, including promoters, community leaders
and members of the community, it is the necessary condition to
improve the work done.
"That the university management focuses technical and
administrative actions that contribute to the realization of
institutional projects where teachers and students from different
specialties can be inserted to achieve interdisciplinary knowledge"
(Guerrero, 2021, p. 105).
In order to evaluate a group, it is essential that it be correctly
structured and act permanently to analyze the fulfillment of the
objectives set, the results obtained and the degree of participation
of the members, as well as the future orientation of the group.
"It is necessary to delve into the influence that education has on the
development of society and how it allows strengthening its
foundations to adapt to new phenomena, changes and
circumstances of the constant evolution in which human beings are
immersed" (Fajardo and Cervantes, 2020, p. 105). For such reason,
Sánchez (2017) rescues "...the need to plan and manage schooling,
according to the priorities and expectations required by today's
society" (p. 38), i.e., university curricula must have an outlook
open to the cooperation of society.
With this premise, in Ecuador, the projects make "...emphasis on
the sectors of: health, labor, risks, environment, social welfare,
education, production, tourism, security and priority attention
groups" (Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information
Society, 2018, p. 6).
The design of a project is an application of the ability to take
initiative in a creative and disciplined way towards social
transformation. This indicates that the first stage begins with the
desire and willingness to do something for the community, then to
review together their needs and analyze the competencies of the
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
52
Faculties to plan a structured project that allows the integration of
all spheres of influence of the community.
Materials and methods
The descriptive research is based on a qualitative approach,
because, based on interviews with students and teachers about the
process of linking with the community and scientific research, to
know their opinions about their experiences in this process. The
sample used was by convenience to students who in their
graduation process were part of the research project
"Communication strategies for community organizations with
female leadership in the province of Guayas" and as a result, their
graduation papers are aligned to this project.
An interview questionnaire with open-ended questions was used to
create an atmosphere of trust, since students tend to be susceptible
when answering topics related to the university. The questions
focused on their appreciation of community outreach, their learning
in the degree process, and research in community organizations.
Results
Once the interviews with the students were conducted, a point of
saturation was reached. The most frequently repeated answers were
that carrying out their degree project through field work, where
they needed to travel and directly observe the problems, was an
enriching experience. It was emphasized that maintaining a
dialogue with the beneficiaries (community) allowed them to
reflect on their profession and analyze the needs of society from
their professional point of view.
The students mentioned that they considered very important the
accompaniment of their teacher tutors in the research process,
because they played the role of teachers, consultants, mentors and
facilitators of knowledge. The research experience in the field will
be very useful for their professional and personal future. Lastly, the
students did not know the cantons.
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
53
Discussion
The research invites reflection on the importance of expanding
learning from the classroom to the social reality, which generates
questions for future studies on the guidelines or regulations that
should cover the new processes of community outreach, as well as
the question: should the outreach process be limited only within an
educational institution or should inter-institutional cooperation and
strategic alliances be encouraged for better results?
References
CACES (2020). Higher Education and Society. Qué pasa con la
vinculación. Quito: Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad
de la Educación Superior.
Chuquimarca, R. C., Paz Sánchez, C. E., & Romero Ramírez, H. A.
(2017). The culture of communication, a condition of the 21st
century teacher. Universidad y Sociedad, 9(2), 173-177.
Retrieved from. http://rus.ucf.edu.cu/index.php/rus
Concepción Toledo, D. N., González Suárez, E., Miño Valdés, J. E.,
& Ramos Miranda, F. E. (2020). Postgraduate studies: a key
aspect for local development projects in the university-
enterprise link. Revista Conrado, 16(76), 272-278.
http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/rc/v16n76/1990-8644-rc-16-76-
272.pdf
De Aparicio, X., Chininin Macanchi, M. A., & Toledo Rodríguez,
O. C. (2017). The role of linkage in the integration of the
substantive functions of the Metropolitan University of
Ecuador. Universidad y Sociedad, 9(4), 37-43. Retrieved
from. http://rus.ucf.edu.cu/index.php/rus
Ecuador. Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society
(2018), Plan Nacional del Gobierno electrónico 2018-2021.
https://www.gobiernoelectronico.gob.ec/wp-
content/uploads/2018/09/PNGE_2018_2021sv2.pdf
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
54
Fajardo Pascagaza, E. and Cervantes Estrada, L. C. (2020).
Modernization of virtual education and its incidence in the
context of information and communication technologies,
Academia y Virtualidad, 13(2), 103-116.
https://doi.org/10.18359/ravi.4724
Garcés N., Esteves Z., Valle C. and Estrella L. (2018), The social
contribution of the linkage project and the relationship with
the children's university, INNOVA Research Journal, 3 (10.1),
77-87. https://doi.org/10.33890/innova.v3.n10.1.2018.860
Guerrero Gallardo, H. I. (2021). Linking with society in the
university context: perceptions. Revista Venezolana De
Gerencia, 26(5), 93-107.
https://doi.org/10.52080/rvgluz.26.e5.7
Medina, D. (2018). El rol de las universidades peruanas frente a la
investigación y el desarrollo tecnológico- Propósitos y
Representaciones, 6(2), 703-737. Doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.20511/pyr2018.v6n2.244
Mendoza Macías, C.A., Jácome Vélez, T.G., Vélez Loor, M. E.
(2017). La Participación de la Comunidad Universitaria y su
Vinculación con la Sociedad.Revista Científica Hallazgos21,
2(3), 212-221. Retrieved from
http//revistas.pucese.edu.ec/hallazgos21.
Moraima Romero, D., & Aldana Zavala, J. (2019). Community
Projects in the process of Social Transformation of the
University. CIENCIAMATRIA, 5(9), 151 - 167.
https://doi.org/10.35381/cm.v5i9.104
Noboa-Larrea, G., Noboa-Larrea, A., Yánez-Olalla, T., &
Sisalema, H. (2019). Linkage projects with the university
society under the technical-legal orientation. Revista De
Investigación Enlace Universitario, 18(1), 32-47.
https://doi.org/10.33789/enlace.18.45
Olivera Carhuaz, E. S. (2020), Attitudes towards research of
bachelors in administration and psychology at a Peruvian
university. Chakiñan, Revista De Ciencias Sociales Y
Humanidades, 11, 70-81.
https://doi.org/10.37135/chk.002.11.05
Pástor D., Arcos G. and Lagunes A. (2020), Development of
research skills for undergraduate students through the use
Sinergias educativas
October - December
Vol. 7 - 4- 2022
http://sinergiaseducativas.mx/index.php/revista/
55
of instructional strategies in virtual learning environments,
Revista apertura, 12(1), 6-21.
http://dx.doi.org/10.32870/Ap.v12n1.1842
Sánchez de F., B. (2017). Academia, inclusion and dialogue for
university transformation. Journal of Education, 27(49), 38-
51. http://servicio.bc.uc.edu.ve/educacion/revista/49/art02.pdf
Senior A., González T., Marín F. and Narváez M. (2021),
University-community linkage: pedagogical-social relevance
of national training programs, Formación universitaria, 14(4),
61-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50062021000400061
Tamayo V., Taco C., Hallo D. and Fajardo A. (2020), Universidad
y proyectos de vinculación con la sociedad, un análisis
técnico legal y su efecto en los procesos de aprendizajes,
Revista científica Uisrael, 7(2), 27-39.
https://doi.org/10.35290/rcui.v7n2.2020.229
Viña A., Sacoto V. and Landívar J. (2019), Contribución de la
Universidad ecuatoriana en beneficio de sectores vulnerables
- Vinculación con la Sociedad, Revistas Espacios, 40 (23),
11-21.
http://www.revistaespacios.com/a19v40n23/a19v40n23p11.p
df
Wilson, A. (2019). Linking with the community: a space to put
university social responsibility into action. Revista Educación
Superior Y Sociedad (ESS), 29(29), 17-42. Retrieved from
https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/ess/index.php/ess3/article/vie
w/90
Zambrano T., Batista A., Vélez C. and González O. (2020),
Concepción del proceso de vinculación con la sociedad en la
USGP desde una perspectiva científica, Revista San Gregorio,
38, 38-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.36097/rsan.v1i38.1302
