Anchoring universities into (un)expected realities: the engagement role of universities in Asia and Africa. SUEUAA Thematic Paper Series, TPS 101/18

Hirsu, L. , Reyes, Z., Ketuly, K. A., Mohammad, S. A., Azizi, N. and Mwaikokesya, M. (2018) Anchoring universities into (un)expected realities: the engagement role of universities in Asia and Africa. SUEUAA Thematic Paper Series, TPS 101/18. Working Paper. Centre for Research & Development in Adult and Lifelong Learning (CR&DALL), Glasgow. ISSN 2517-5548 (online) ISSN 2517-553X (Print).

Abstract

To respond effectively to (un)expected realities (effects of climate change, environmental degradation, war and migration, accelerated urbanization), universities in Asia and Africa are called upon to accomplish their third mission by getting more involved in local municipalities and addressing city-level challenges. However, universities are not always prepared for this third mission, and policies reveal different levels of preparedness. Through a thematic rhetorical analysis of a wide range of policies, this paper argues that university policy discourses build on different, and oftentimes competing, approaches to university engagement. A detailed analysis of policies in six cities (Dar es Salaam, Duhok, Harare, Johanesburgh, Manila, and Sanandaj) reveals how HEIs align with (un)expected social realities and work with local municipalities. While university-city partnerships exist in all six contexts, policies oftentimes remain broad in scope and provide little guidance to support resilience and appropriate local sustainable plans. Building on the experience accumulated by various stakeholders in the six cities, the paper makes a series of recommendations for policy change which has implications for a growing number of HEIs and city stakeholders confronted with similar challenges in their respective locales.

• Item Type: Research Reports or Papers (Working Paper)
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Azizi, Professor Nematollah and Hirsu, Dr Lavinia
• Authors: Hirsu, L., Reyes, Z., Ketuly, K. A., Mohammad, S. A., Azizi, N., and Mwaikokesya, M.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Social Justice Place and Lifelong Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy
• Publisher: Centre for Research & Development in Adult and Lifelong Learning (CR&DALL)
• ISSN: 2517-553X
• ISSN (Online): 2517-5548
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 SUEUAA / University of Glasgow
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License