The quintuple helix in action in Africa and Asia: the SUEUAA project

Abstract

This article explores the role of universities and their engagement in selected Asian and African cities; and, the ways in which they contribute to developing sustainable cities in the context of the major social, cultural, environmental and economic challenges facing the global south. Drawing on multiple approaches to gathering data in six case-study cities, SUEUAA (Strengthening Urban Engagement of Universities in Africa and Asia) seeks to strengthen the capacity of universities to contribute to city resilience. The paper is structured in two parts: the first provides an overview of existing engagement initiatives beginning with the framework of the triple helix model and the entrepreneurial university, moving through the quadruple helix model and the civic university to the introduction of the quintuple helix which includes both the environment and also a more explicit focus on issues of sustainability; the second provides an international cross-comparative thematic analysis related to the challenges of migration, gender, the environment, the economy and current engagement policy.