Role of Universities on Urban and Rural Economic Impacts on Community Development: - Review

Abstract

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) is among a number of countries worldwide with its rural societies still remain most vulnerable and under poverty challenges for access to economic development, high rate of unemployment and challenges on education. As such, there are little activities in the rural and urban communities to enhance their social and economic involvement. The significance of South African Universities towards the economic growth of rural areas through community participation and assisting with implementation of national priorities and schemes is of importance. This paper demonstrates the role that universities play in economy, empowerment and participation in their socioeconomic development and their impact towards the community sustainability. This report elaborates on the impact of the programs developed for the community’s economy, change and the attitude in their business ventures and activities. The paper focuses on the BRICS Countries as representing the world’s emerging markets and doing so as a counterweight to the G8 and G20 Countries. This paper conveys different aspects of university programs by using literature review on rural and urban economic growth by evaluating its impacts towards rural communities. That is establishing different key roles in developing their quality of life through higher education organizations and informed programmes established by the universities. In the end the objective of the article is to identify collective gaps that will assist to take action on poverty and the lack of development in rural areas.