Analysis of Strategies for Successful Implementation of University Outreach Services as Perceived by Faculty Members of Iranian Agricultural Colleges

One of the most important services implemented by higher education systems is the university outreach. The main objective of this descriptive- survey research is to analyze strategies for successful implementation of university outreach services as perceived by faculty members of Iranian agricultural colleges. The statistical population of the study consisted of the faculty members of Iranian agricultural colleges (N=1799), out of whom 140 people included in statistical sample. Sample selection was done in two stages: at first, applying stratified random sampling technique, 10 colleges were selected from the total of 30 colleges, and then using proportional stratified random sampling technique, 140 faculty members were selected from these colleges. The Instrument of study was a questionnaire. To measure the reliability of the questionnaire, Cranach Alpha coefficients were calculated. Results of exploratory factor analysis revealed that four factors explained about 64.29 percent of variations in the strategies for successful implementation of university outreach services including: educational, communicational, research, and creating opportunities factors. This study showed that low level of attention is paid to university outreach services in Iranian agricultural higher education system. Therefore, results revealed by this study can improve successful implementation of university outreach services.