ABOUT

PURPOSE

The purpose of The New African Urban University partnership is to develop a research agenda to strengthen the role of African universities to advance just and sustainable urban transitions in African cities. It is based on the assumption that universities must play a role in addressing the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 to make cities inclusive, safe, sustainable and resilient.

THE THIRD MISSION

The role of universities in the visioning and shaping of societal benefits has been described as their ‘third mission’. The move to embracing transdisciplinary approaches that contribute to engaged scholarship diversifies knowledge expertise beyond and across academic disciplines, by including scientists, policy makers, citizens, communities and activists. Simultaneously, usable knowledge is co-produced, thus benefitting society.

These emerging knowledge partnerships create new ways of knowing, whilst generating different questions and insights on urban change. Knowledge partnerships are providing deeper access and appreciation of a wider range of contexts, including households, neighbourhoods, board rooms, policy settings at different scales, amongst others.

PROJECT GOALS

The first goal of this project is to serve as an amplifier - to make visible how partner universities are contributing to engaging with urban change in African cities through research, curriculum development and engaged scholarship.

The second goal of the project seeks to develop an agenda that identifies opportunities to strategically align the three missions of universities to enhance the contribution of African universities in shaping urban transitions and securing the long-term impact of transdisciplinary projects beyond the project cycle.