The Gap Between Academic Theory and Students’ Practical Social Needs

Abstract

The gap between academic theory and students’ social practice needs has become an increasingly prominent issue in Indonesian higher education. Students are expected to master complex theoretical concepts, while social realities demand practical skills, collaborative abilities, and direct problem-solving competencies. This research analyzes the factors that cause this gap, including curriculum orientation, academic culture, and evolving social dynamics. Using a qualitative library research approach, this article explores the views of key educational thinkers such as John Dewey, Paulo Freire, Ki Hajar Dewantara, and contemporary theories of twenty-first-century learning. The findings indicate that higher education tends to emphasize abstract theories while insufficiently accommodating field experience, making it difficult for students to integrate academic knowledge with community needs. The study highlights the importance of project-based learning, participatory models, and multi-stakeholder collaboration as strategies to bridge the gap. This article contributes to pedagogical reform toward a more responsive educational system suited to social demands and the challenges of modern life.