Social Role Of University Research Articles

A Philosophical Analysis of the Recent Controversy about “Islamo-leftism” in French Academia

In February 2021, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Frédérique Vidal, ordered an inquiry – to be led by the French National Centre for Scientific Research – about the alleged “Islamo-leftism” (islamo-gauchisme) which, according to her, was corrupting French academia. Vidal's concern was, purportedly, to distinguish “what falls under academic research and what falls under militancy and opinion”. She had in mind, in particular, recent interdisciplinary fields in the social sciences, such as Postcolonial Studies. Her statements caused a controversy in French academia as well as outside. The goal of this paper is to present this controversy and analyse it in light of the philosophical literature on autonomy of, and values in, science.
 After recalling the political and institutional context of the controversy (1st part), I present Vidal’s intervention (2nd part) and various reactions to it, which can roughly be classified pro and contra Vidal's statements (3rd part). I then provide a philosophical discussion of the controversy (4th part), by recalling the philosophical debate to which it is related (the autonomy of, and the values in science), and analysing the assumptions, arguments and actions of both camps. I show in particular that a political intervention inside the very production of academic knowledge implies a strong risk of censorship (whether self-inflicted, intra-academic or extra-academic), and that letting academia self-regulate itself with respect to the validation of knowledge remains the best way to go. I conclude with the deeper questions raised by this controversy: the social role of universities, and the institutional aspects of scientific knowledge validation.

Success Factors for University Incubators - A Benchmarking Model for Better Performance

Changing economic circumstances and technological advances are having an impact on the economic and social role of universities. Nowadays, university students, teachers and researchers are coming up with more and more innovative ideas, but they are unable to put their results into practice because of their lack of entrepreneurial skills. University incubators are specialised business incubators that create a link between university, business, and government, generating a significant impact on the local economy. In our research, we have highlighted the aspects that may be most relevant to the operation of 48 incubators in the world and analysed their performance. The comparative analysis allowed the creation of a standard model and the presentation of its success factors.

La discusión sobre el rol de la universidad

¿Por qué es importante pensar el rol de la universidad? ¿Dónde se encuentra la discusión acerca del rol social en la actualidad en América Latina? El presente artículo busca contextualizar esta discusión para después introducir el concepto de “responsabilidad social universitaria” (RSU), desarrollado por el filósofo francés François Vallaeys. Finalmente, propone una nueva, pero tal vez más adecuada definición de lo que entendemos como “actividad universitaria” y presenta el concepto de “dinamización de la misión universitaria”, con un abordaje desde la complejidad de la misión de la universidad. De esta manera, el artículo busca orientar sobre cómo pensar una universidad socialmente responsable que desarrolle una mejor actividad universitaria y cumplir con su misión.

A Study on the Innovation of University Education and the Improvement of the Social Role of University through SDGs

A Study on the Innovation of University Education and the Improvement of the Social Role of University through SDGs

Entrepreneurial Education - a New Challenge for Universities in Romania

Abstract Entrepreneurial spirit plays an increasingly important role in the economic sphere, and universities are meant to play a central role in this process, where the main objective is the continuous development and mediation of the knowledge increasingly geared to the applications through innovation and patenting a secure platform for employment and well-being growth. The Universities have to take a position in if/and how they want to grow into a so-called “University of Entrepreneurship” which is characterized by a high degree of openness to the surrounding society and here we are talking, especially, about, the business sector in Romania. This evolution of expectations for the social role of universities has resulted from increased and recent interest in entrepreneurship and innovation of areas as research and theory of the business environment. The experience gained as teachers indicates that education and entrepreneurship education should include different theories and methodology than those applied in the usual way. The theory of traditional management and microeconomic models could even be a barrier to new thinking and change and, therefore, to the implementation of modern entrepreneurial actions. We want this article to be a source of inspiration for educational institutions and to have a positive contribution to research in business education and to be applicable in business decision-making.

University and deliberative democracy. Towards citizenship education

Deliberative democracy represents one of the most relevant political theories and it has acquired a growing importance within political debates and practices. However it presents some crucial problems in relation to the very high standards of rationality required to citizens for the deliberative process, in particular regarding the problem of public ignorance and the capabilities’ deficit. Amid these problems this article argues in favour of the necessity of education to political life as an unavoidable precondition for deliberative democracy. Since the theory is mainly concerned with the participation of adults within society, the task of offering possible solutions to these questions evidently stands on the shoulders of university education. The article calls for a fundamental ethical and social role of university within society without which the gap between the abstract theory of deliberative democracy and its real practices would determine its complete rejection and any form of democratic participation would ultimately be meaningless, if not dangerous.

The Community Higher Education Institutions in Brazil Mission and Vision

This text analyzes community institutions and their role in community development. It presents a qualitative approach, using the analysis of content, graphics, and document analysis to point results. In the history and trajectory, it highlights the representation of twelve percent of higher education enrollments in Brazil. The social role of universities in Rio Grande do Sul state, reveals the connection of institutions with local and regional communities, the commitment to social responsibility and the results of practices and services related to education, research and extension.

What Kind of University Rankings Do we Want?

There is clearly a demand for rankings and information systems in the field of higher education, but there are also many questions about their validity, quality, and impact. Moreover, it seems that rankings, or at least some important rankings, are inclined to reinforce certain negative tendencies. Until recently, international competition has focused for the most part on publication and research output. As a result, education and the social role of universities have been neglected. It is an important challenge, therefore, to create multidimensional rankings or information systems that take the different functions of universities into account and can be used by students, employers and policy makers.