Coastal Community Valorization through Patuakhali Science and Technology University: Policy Support and Way Forwards.

This article examines the impact of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) on the development of its neighboring rural coastal communities in Bangladesh. Using a two-round survey with a five-point Likert-type scale conducted among 63 university employees and 67 community dwellers from December 2021 to June 2022, the study identified six components of rural community development: educational improvement, economic development, health facilities, transportation and communication services, cultural development, and infrastructural development. Both groups showed high agreement that PSTU positively influences education, economic conditions, culture, and infrastructure, with moderate agreement on health and transportation-communication improvements; perceptions varied by gender, age, family size, and income. The findings suggest that PSTU contributes significantly to its host community's development and may inform university administration and policymakers in strategizing rural coastal community advancement.