About the need for partnership between university and community

Abstract

This theoretical study addresses the partnership university – community, a reality that in Western educational area has had a history of several decades. Beyond the EU policy which requires the development of such a relationship, the mutual need for collaboration between the university and the community has begun to manifest as a result of changes in the global economy and the raise of the importance of knowledge in the development of products and services. It should be emphasized that the relationship between university and community is not restricted to economic aspects, it may approach social and civic issues as well. Moreover, we can talk about this relationship as a component of the welfare state. Although there are arguments for developing the relationship between university and community, resistance to change can be an obstacle in this regard.

Keywords

• university – community partnership
• European Union
• economic development
• welfare state
• resistance to change