The Role of Applied Student Research in Solving Local Community Problems and Its Development from the Faculty Members' Perspective

Abstract

This research aimed to reveal the role of student research in solving local community problems. The study was conducted on graduation research projects of students in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Faculty of Education, Nalut (Nalut University). It also aimed to identify the main obstacles and difficulties preventing field-based student research from serving the local community, in addition to formulating several proposals and recommendations to overcome these challenges and activate the role of field-based student research in addressing local community issues in the city of Nalut.

This study relied on the descriptive-analytical approach by conducting interviews with a sample of full-time faculty members in the department who have experience in supervising and examining graduation research. Among the most prominent findings of the research were: weak financial support for field-based student research, lack of coordination between the faculty and local community institutions, failure to utilize the results of field-based student research to solve local community problems, weak infrastructure at the faculty, deficiency in students' knowledge of the basics and methods of scientific research, and a weak role of the Quality Management Office in improving faculty outcomes.

In light of these findings, the research presented proposals and recommendations to activate and develop the role of field-based student research in solving local community problems, including: activating the Community Service Department at the faculty, forming research teams to investigate local community problems across various institutions, focusing on marketing and publishing distinguished field-based student research, establishing a financially independent support fund for research, equipping laboratories with necessary supplies for scientific research, and combining efforts among all faculty staff while collaborating with the Quality Office to apply quality standards and enhance overall academic output.