Title: A short communication on glocal universities

Authors: Francesc Xavier Grau

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain

Abstract: This paper deals with the dual responsibilities of universities at local and global scale, exploring the potential conflict, or intrinsic difficulties, in addressing both local demands of society based on the race for global competitiveness and local and global demands to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable society (at local and global scales). Like many other organisations today, universities are under intense pressure, coming especially from 'local' demands. The paper analyses and proposes the elements that allow for the global and local engagement of universities. The vision of a university as a 'social force for good' makes engagement compatible with the immediate needs of local societies and the global challenges of the world. This is the real challenge of many universities all over the world that may be able to take on the responsibility of being a glocal university.

Keywords: glocal universities; social engagement; locally engaged universities; globally engaged universities; global engagement; local engagement; globalisation; regionalisation; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKBD.2016.075442

International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, 2016 Vol.7 No.1, pp.63 - 74

Received: 27 Aug 2015
Accepted: 23 Jan 2016

Published online: 22 Mar 2016 *

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