The network of Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) assists in capacity building of higher education institutions in 22 third countries not associated to Erasmus+ : in the Western Balkans, Neighbourhood East, the Southern Mediterranean and Central Asia.
This publication examines the support of national higher education systems for the third mission. The term has not yet been adopted by policy makers in all countries. The expressions ‘community engagement’ or ‘service to society’ are more easily understood. They cover commitments to adult education and to collaboration with industrial and service sectors of the regional economy.
The study reveals a high level of institutional activity driven primarily by labour market needs, but also by the demands of climate change, student welfare, and informed citizenship. It summarises the European policy base of the third mission and cites examples of Erasmus+ projects which operationalise it. It urges policy coherence supported by a terminology based on wide consensus. Universities are encouraged to adopt a ‘whole-institution’ approach aligning community interventions with learning & teaching and research & innovation, thus synergising the three higher education missions. The study recommends that national systems facilitate appropriate adjustments to institutional autonomy, quality assurance, governance and the career progression of staff.
Download the publication here: https://op.europa.eu/s/Ad0d
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