Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study roles and procedures, needs of community and recommendations on community services of higher education institutions in Changwat Maha Sarakham. The researcher gathered data through project survey forms, rating scale questionnaires concerning community services which provided and should be provided by higher education institutions, and rating scale questionnaires concerning community services which received and needed from higher education institutions. The sample of this study was 30 administrators from higher education institutions and 200 community leaders. It was found that higher education institutions in Changwat Maha Sarakham provided 69 community service projects. Administrators viewed educational, cultural, customary and religious areas were provided in medium level; Political and legal, health and family life and economical and occupational area were provided in low level. Administrators viewed that educational, cultural, customary and religious areas should be provided in high level. Political and legal, health and family life, economical and occupational areas should be provided in medium level. Community leaders received community services in low level in every area and need community services in high level in every area. The researcher recommended that higher education institutions in Changwat Maha Sarakham should provide community services in high level for every area according to community needs and the people should participate in planning process with targets in accordance with national rural development plan. It is also recommended that higher education institutions should set up a central unit for coordinating community services with efficiency.