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Universities' civic role key to staying relevant
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Universities' civic role key to staying relevant

Universities must renew their civic mission to stay relevant, experts Sarah Chaytor and John Tomaney argue. This involves prioritising community engagement and repairing the social fabric. The goal is to improve people's everyday lives.

By Ratio Report Editorial 2 min read Via Wonkhe
Reviewed ·

Key takeaway

Universities must refocus on community engagement and social fabric repair to stay relevant.

  • Universities need to shift focus from just economic growth to community well-being
  • Experts stress the importance of universities engaging with local communities
  • The aim is to improve people's daily lives, not just contribute to GDP

What happened

Experts Sarah Chaytor and John Tomaney have argued that universities must renew their civic mission to stay relevant. They believe that people are more concerned with improving their everyday lives than with economic growth measured by GDP. The experts suggest that universities should focus on repairing the social fabric and engaging with local communities.

What this means for you

As a student, you might be wondering how this affects you. If universities start prioritising community engagement and social fabric repair, you could see more opportunities for volunteering, community projects, and collaborative work with local organisations. This could enhance your university experience, help you build connections, and give you a sense of purpose beyond your studies.

Universities that successfully renew their civic mission might also become more attractive to employers and policymakers, potentially leading to better job prospects and more funding for students. By engaging with local communities, universities can help address pressing issues like unemployment, poverty, and social inequality, making a tangible difference in people's lives.

Source

Wonkhe

Read original article (opens in new tab)

This article is based on reporting from Wonkhe. Ratio Report provides context and analysis for UK students and young adults.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a university's civic mission entail? +
A university's civic mission involves engaging with local communities, addressing social issues, and contributing to the well-being of society. This can include volunteering, community projects, and collaborative work with local organisations.
How will this affect my university experience? +
You might see more opportunities for community engagement, volunteering, and collaborative projects. This could enhance your university experience, help you build connections, and give you a sense of purpose beyond your studies.
Will this change the way universities are funded? +
The article does not specifically mention changes to funding. However, universities that successfully renew their civic mission might become more attractive to policymakers and employers, potentially leading to better job prospects and more funding for students.
universities civic mission community engagement

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