AUCEA: An Emerging Collaborative and Strategic Approach Dedicated to University-Community Engagement in Australia

Temple J¹*, Story A¹* and Delaforce W²*

1. University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
2. Queensland University of Technology, Carseldine, Queensland, Australia

The issue of University engagement with the community is prominent on the agendas of both national and international forums of higher education. Increasingly, universities are playing an integral role in their regions, contributing to the sustainability, wellbeing and economic vitality of their communities while becoming catalysts for positive change and development.

Recognition of the role of higher education institutions in social, economic and cultural development has led to the formation of the Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance (AUCEA). AUCEA is auspiced by the University of Western Sydney and guided by a Steering Committee made up of Australian University representatives.

With the vision to be the leading inclusive national forum for the discussion and development of university-community engagement, encouraging collaboration, innovation, the exchange of knowledge and the scholarship of engagement, AUCEA has undertaken a national leadership role to:

• Raise awareness and disseminate best practice in university community engagement;
• Facilitate collaborative research in university community engagement between AUCEA members and their communities;
• Promote the integration of engagement into curriculum and the student experience;
• Collaboratively develop resources that support university community engagement.

Participation of 30 Australian universities committed to university-community engagement at the recent AUCEA conference held at Charles Sturt University at Bathurst demonstrates both the relevance and timeliness of AUCEA.

AUCEA enables Australian Universities to both share and create knowledge about community engagement. Ultimately the process which is developing trust between universities will create an effective centre for dialogue and research into university community engagement and place the scholarship of engagement on the national agenda.

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