Modelling transformation of communities by public universities in post conflict northern Uganda using economic and demographic factors
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Date
2024-07-02Author
Adebua, Asaf
Oriang, George
Abola, Benard
Amone, Charles
Ezati, Betty Akullu
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Scarcity of knowledge exists on how economic and demographic factors of
surrounding communities influence the capacity of universities to transform
them. This study examines the dimensions that contribute to community
transformation in the context of the community surrounding Gulu University in
post-conflict northern Uganda and the economic and demographic factors of
the surrounding community that influence their transformation by Gulu
University. The study employed a cross-sectional research design with a sample
of 390 households. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data
on household economic and demographic factors and data on dimensions of
community transformation. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to
determine the contributions of the dimensions of community transformation,
while logistic regression model was employed to determine economic and
demographic factors that influence community transformation by Gulu
University. The independent variables tested in the economic and demographic
categories included age, gender, household size, occupation, alternative
income, savings, credit, remittances, and education, while transformation
formed the dependent variable. Findings revealed that the economic, physical,
political and spiritual dimensions contribute more to the transformation of the
community surrounding Gulu University, while the economic and demographic
factors that had a significant influence on community transformation included
occupation in civil service, business, and commercial farming (P=.004); and the
level of education (P=0.044). The study concludes that the economic, physical,
political and spiritual dimensions with their associated variables contributed
more to community transformation. These can be used by other related studies
to measure community transformation by universities in the context of
developing countries. Furthermore, policies need to focus more on supporting
the improvement of the business environment to promote commercial farming
and university education since they have a higher multiplier effect on
community transformation. Consequently, community members need to focus
on business, harness commercial farming and achieve university level of
education