Social cohesion in education: Cognitive research in the university community

Abstract

The present article highlights the results of social cohesion study fulfilled in the university community of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University. It contains the consideration of social cohesion as an important factor of interpersonal communication, other social skills which are important for the community development. The purpose of the study was to identify the level of social cohesion for university community, to test the Bertelsmann Stiftung Model of Social Cohesion at the community level. Methods that were used in the study are synthesis, analysis, math, social questionnaire, etc. In the research the only data collection tool was the author’s questionnaire. There were 112 people interviewed, among them 47 employees and 65 students of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University. According to the study results, the level of social cohesion in the university community is quite sufficient, which positively characterizes the attitude of employees and students to each other, reflects their readiness for mutual respect and support, acceptance of differences and tolerance etc. Also the research highlights weak points of social interactions that form the base for further investigations and actions on social cohesion development.