University Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning

"This clear and illuminating book makes a substantial contribution to the scholarship on university community engagement. It does this at a theoretical level by drawing innovatively on asset-based and capability perspectives, as well as literature on learning cities and regions. At contextual and empirical levels, it uses African examples of good practice. I found the book personally useful for my own continuing understanding and practice in learning from and with communities from a university base." (Prof Peter Rule, Centre for Higher and Adult Education, Stellenbosch University, South Africa)

This book offers a conceptual re-think of how university community engagement functions as a lifelong learning resource for communities.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.