Julia Preece 
University Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning [PDF ebook] 
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.

Table des matières

Chapter 1. Background Context for Universities and Community Engagement in Africa.- Chapter 2. A Capabilities and Asset-Based Development Approach to Community Engagement.- Chapter 3. Community Engagement and its Evolving Terminology.- Chapter 4. Community Engagement through Service Learning.- Chapter 5. Learning Cities as Community Engagement.- Chapter 6. Two Case Examples of Community Engagement.- Chapter 7. The Porous University in Action.- Chapter 8. Implications of the Porous University for Policy and Practice.

A propos de l’auteur

Julia Preece is Professor of Adult Education at the Durban University of Technology and Honorary Professor at the Universities of Kwa Zulu-Natal and the Free State in South Africa.  She has published widely on adult education, lifelong learning and community engagement.