Idea of Engagement, (The): Universities in Society

The publication draws together a number of the themes identified by an Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) conference in 2001. Authors are from five Commonwealth countries - Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The chapters reflect a variety of perspectives, including government and the academy, and use developments in the various countries to illustrate strands in the engagement debate.
The book is in four parts. The first part, 'The Idea', explores the notions of engagement and how we might begin to understand what is meant by engaging with society. The second, 'The Practice', places engagement in an institutional strategic context; while the third, 'The Prospect', speaks to the value and potential that an engaged institution can bring to the educational experience, its research program and the community in which it is located. Part four is the text of the consultation document, which has served as a basis for this discussion and debate over the past two years. It sets forth some of the challenges faced by universities if they are to truly engage with their communities.
The book has been commissioned with an aim to lead, and contribute to, an international debate on why it is imperative for universities and institutions of higher learning to be actively involved with the society they are part of. Institutional leaders, government policy-makers, academic teachers and researchers as well as community leaders can all benefit from the diversity of stories reflected here. (editor)