Improving Quality of Life Through University-Community Engagement: Dr Ira Harkavy, ECU Oration

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• published: 31 Jul 2014
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We were honoured to have US Education Expert, Dr Ira Harkavy present the 2014 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Oration, 22 July 2014 at Edith Cowan University's Joondalup Campus, on the topic: Advancing Teaching and Research and Improving the Quality of Life through University-Community Engagement: A View from the United States. Dr Harkavy highlights the growing role of universities in our communities, having been identified as the most influential institution in advanced societies in the twenty-first century. He discussed the developing Global University-Community Engagement Movement and the obstacles it faces in realising its potential to advance research, teaching and learning and improve the quality of life for all. Dr Harkavy discusses the idea that Higher Education Institutions, like colleges and universities, are place-based, with a strong economic stake in their surrounding communities. He suggested universities are anchor institutions, with crucial, multi-faceted roles in their communities and surrounding regions, including in education, research, service, housing and real estate development, employment, job training, purchasing, business and technology incubation, and cultural development. Dr Harkavy suggests that universities and colleges, particularly those in urban and metropolitan areas, would better fulfil their core academic functions, including advancing knowledge and learning, if they increasingly focused on improving conditions in their regions, cities, and local communities. Dr Harkavy focuses on the idea that colleges and universities are place-based institutions deeply affected by their local environment and surroundings. Therefore, the future of higher educational institutions and their communities, cities, and regions are intertwined. As such, they have a strong economic stake in the health of their surrounding communities and - due to the scale and scope of their operations - the resources to make a genuine difference. He suggests that, because higher education institutions can make a difference in the lives of their neighbours, they therefore have a moral and ethical responsibility to do so and to contribute to the bettering of quality of life for their communities. He asks the question: how can universities teach moral and civic values if they don't practice it? Dr Harkavy also suggests, given the significant impact being felt by higher education in the USA in particular, as a result large-scale, significant cutbacks in governmental funding, tertiary institutions are under increased scrutiny by government to demonstrate that they are serving the public good. Additionally, as universities and colleges make contact with donors and foundations as part of their funding appeals, articulation of “community benefit” is becoming an essential component at this level, as well as in discussion with government agencies. Read the full transcript of Edith Cowan University's 2014 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Oration http://www.ecu.edu.au/about-ecu/vice-chancellor/distinguished-orator/2014/advancing-teaching-and-research Dr Harkavy is the Associate Vice-President and founding Director of the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the recipient of the University of Pennsylvania's Alumni Award of Merit and a Fulbright Senior Specialist Grant. Through the work of Dr Harkavy and the Netter Center, the University of Pennsylvania received the Presidential Award in Higher Education Community Service in 2008 and 2012. This award is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to community service in the United States of America. Dr Harkavy received his BA, MA and PhD in History from the University of Pennsylvania. Edith Cowan University (ECU)'s Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Oration is an annual event, for more information and to read transcripts of past orations: http://www.ecu.edu.au/about-ecu/vice-chancellor/distinguished-orator