ABSTRACT
What contributions do universities make to society? What contributions could they make? As policy decisions in many countries have seen universities move from targeting a selected elite towards educating a substantial proportion of populations, governments have recognised the increased potential of the university to contribute to economic development and prosperity. As a result, contributions of the university through education, research and engagement with the broader society are increasingly presented in terms of knowledge and skills enhancement for economic prosperity. This policy context impacts upon higher education curricula (see, for example, Barnett, Parry & Coate, 2001), the research priorities of governments and funding bodies, and forms of engagement between universities and their communities.
