The Local Mission of Higher Education: Principles and Practice

The engagement agenda is becoming increasingly important in higher education across the world and demands our urgent and dedicated attention. Universities are today being called upon to demonstrate their contribution to society in general and their local communities in particular. Regardless of the pressures and ambitions to focus on the global, universities are always place-based institution that are anchored locally.The Local Mission of Higher Education: Principles and Practice explores the various ways that universities express their local civic mission and advances some proposals for a way forward. Providing a rich mosaic of experiences and learnings and a much needed comparative perspective, chapters cover a wide range of European countries with comparative studies of the US scene and recent developments in South Africa.This book addresses several key questions: What is the meaning of 'local' place often contrasted to 'space' in the era of increasing globalization? What is the meaning of 'politics' in the context of higher education? What is the mission of higher education in the global, so-called 'post truth' and 'alternative facts' era we live in?

"By persuasively packing The Local Mission of Higher Education with case studies of innovative collaborations with community partners by institutions that range broadly in size and locale, this compelling volume demonstrates the power of the particular to resonate as universal across the globe. As higher education institutions team up in and across their communities, facing with full vigour the challenges of a landscape that is often uncertain economically, imperilled environmentally, and divisive socially, the potential to be a positive force in bolstering democracy by democratizing knowledge comes alive here, encouraging us all to take up the social mission of local anchor institutions that are not only in but of their communities"

Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark.

"Higher education institutions that are locally relevant and engaged, as true "anchors" in their communities, are not a contradiction in terms with globally competitive, research-oriented universities. On the contrary, some of the most successful universities in the world pride themselves on being 'glocal' in nature. At a time when trust has become volatile and in which knowledge and truth need guarding, universities need to engage and inspire beyond their professional borders, by bringing together economic actors, civil society and citizens of all ages and interests. Democracy needs informed and civically active citizens. This volume provides a unique glimpse into how the local engagement of universities makes them relevant"

Ligia Deca, Education and Science Adviser to the President of Romania