Words by Deborah Martin & Kirsti Abbott
Now, more than ever, universities have an impetus to be engaged in the lives of their communities. Indeed UNE is becoming more deeply connected to its regional, national, international and online communities as well as engaging with the rich diversity of students, staff and friends. Through pre-access, transition to uni, retention and post-graduation programs, as well as direct student experience initiatives, UNE is engaged with those who aspire to learn for life.
At a recent Engagement Australia conference, the theme "The Role of the Civic University in Australia" provided a snapshot of the current state of university engagement, and a roadmap for co-creating mutually beneficial engagement activity for a relevant and sustainable future. UNE Discovery Project Manager Deborah Martin attended, and here summarises five broad strategies that reflect successful university-community engagement.
1. Lead and communicate a vision
Universities with a sense of place, and their role within it, tend to have a strong vision for the future. Vision typically comes from a strong leader and is communicated consistently, both internally and externally (one delegate called this 'friend raising'). This is not a short-term activity. The world may be changing rapidly but successful implementation of an engagement vision requires a long-term (think: 10-20 year) focus, not least so we continue to evaluate, reflect and adapt our approaches to understand impact.
2. Invest in the community
Infrastructure investment, in university resources and in the community, sends a clear message - this university believes in its staff, students and community. Campuses are increasingly 'porous', inviting opportunities for co-location of commercial, public sector and not-for-profit organisations. By working with local governments universities can maximise investment opportunities, play a role in urban revitalisation, and support local concerns and activities.
3. Collaborate for impact
As one senior university leader said: "One plus one is more than two." While his maths may be faulty the sentiment was clear - collaboration is key to solving the problems of the future, and universities that collaborate (with government, community and industry) are achieving impact and demonstrating social responsibility. Modern problems require multiple stakeholders to come together to innovate. The challenge for universities is to build their capacity to facilitate strategic partnerships. Which brings us to...
4. Support staff
High impact engagement requires staff - academic and administrative - to participate in engagement activity. Traditional recruitment and reward systems may need to be adjusted accordingly.
Relationship building is a time-consuming, highly human activity. A team approach enables high performing researchers to be supported by staff with a range of skills - partnership brokers, project managers, intellectual property experts, business development managers, investment brokers, and grant writers. Similarly, rewards and incentives for engagement need to be expanded to align with strategic priorities.
5. Involve students throughout life
Some of the most inspirational projects presented at the conference were those that involved students in external engagement. While industry-based placements are important, and in some courses mandatory for professional accreditation, some universities are engaging in their undergraduate and postgraduate students in less discipline-constrained projects that address local social and economic problems. Such programs enable students to develop highly transferable skills in project management, communication, teamwork and problem solving, whilst also bridging the gap between traditional and applied research.
One of UNE's latest community engagement projects, the Boilerhouse Discovery project, has been given $6.1 million from the NSW Government to create a 21st century learning centre to inspire youth in the community.
"The Boilerhouse is intended to captivate our youngest citzens with the magic and power of learning. Once that power has been experienced, it is never forgotten," said UNE Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brigid Heywood.
"If the University can inspire a discovery culture and a love of learning in our children, we have gone a long way towards fulfilling our social contract with our community."
