Conceptions of higher education, development-oriented social engagement and innovation in the SADC context

This chapter examines two distinct bodies of literature and argues for a synthesis to inform development-oriented social engagement. The first section sets out the main conceptual frameworks and methodologies of the innovation systems literature in relation to developing countries and the role of higher education in university-industry interaction. The next section presents a conceptualisation of community engagement from the perspective of higher education studies and identifies key strands in the debate around the civic role of higher education. The final section identifies the implications of this discourse for higher education governance and leadership in SADC.