University and Community: An Essential Partnership for the Future

Abstract

"The last three decades have witnessed a growing body of literature on the changing role and functions of universities. Concepts such as the ‘engaged university’ ‘multiversity’ and ‘university as a complex enterprise’ have been discussed and evaluated by academics and practitioners. More recently, scholars have also turned their attention to the role of universities within the framework of local innovation ecosystems. The current research investigates how, through a variety of engagement related functions, universities can foster social, economic, and technological development in the cities that host them. The analysis is based on qualitative research conducted in both U.S. and Romania with key respondents from universities. In addition, for Romania the authors have also included main findings from their experience as consultants for the city of Cluj-Napoca for strategic planning activities."

A Systematic Literature Review of Transnational Alliances in Higher Education: The Gaps in Strategic Perspectives

“…In other contributions, outcomes are either not empirically confirmed (McHale et al, 2010;Popescu and Elshof, 2016), nor described in a consistent and systematic way (Courtois and Veiga 2020;Kristensen and Karlsen, 2018), echoing the earlier concerns regarding the use of methods. The majority of the contributions focus on outputs as benefits (some studies present them as outcomes), such as courses, programmes, curricula, joint and double degrees (see Hintea, 2012;McHale et al, 2010), and they do not make the link between outputs, as a means to achieve desired outcomes or achievements. For example, Bogdanova et al (2016) contend that in 2013, their strategic partnership generated sixteen conference papers and publications, six bilateral research projects and three funding applications.…”