University Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning : The Porous University

"This book offers a conceptual re-think of how university community engagement functions as a lifelong learning resource for communities. While having a specific focus on the South African context, it has important implications for other universities which are concerned with their communities, and makes a compelling argument for the university as a public good, in spite of current trends towards marketization and commodification of higher education. The book draws on a theoretical framework of capabilities, asset-based community development, and the adult learning concept of dialogue, to propose a model whereby the boundary walls of the university become metaphorically 'porous', so that community members feel free to interact with the university as equal members of society. A historical outline of African universities is provided, as well as an exploration of the evolution of terms for community engagement, service learning and learning cities; and an examination of the policy and practice implications for the ideological model of a porous university." -- Provided by publisher's website Annotation Julia Preece offers a conceptual re-think of how university community engagement functions as a lifelong learning resource for communities. While having a specific focus on the South African context, it has important implications for other universities which are concerned with their communities, and makes a compelling argument for the university as a public good, in spite of current trends towards marketisation and commodification of higher education. The book draws on a theoretical framework of capabilities, asset-based community development, and the adult learning concept of dialogue, to propose a model whereby the boundary walls of the university become metaphorically 'porous', so that community members feel free to interact with the university as equal members of society Front Matter....Pages i-xix Background Context for Universities and Community Engagement in Africa....Pages 1-24 A Capabilities and Asset-Based Development Approach to Community Engagement....Pages 25-47 Community Engagement and Its Evolving Terminology....Pages 49-74 Community Engagement Through Service Learning....Pages 75-96 Learning Cities as Community Engagement....Pages 97-122 Two Case Examples of Community Engagement....Pages 123-144 The Porous University in Action....Pages 145-165 Implications of the Porous University for Policy and Practice....Pages 167-183 Back Matter....Pages 185-214