African universities possess significant public resources, including knowledge, skilled personnel, infrastructure, and networks. These resources can be leveraged to address everyday problems faced by societies, such as limited income opportunities, inequality, and climate change effects. The authors of a recent book explored how universities can contribute to social innovation and sustainable development. Their research highlights the potential of universities to drive social change.
African universities are often discussed in terms of their limitations, including funding, infrastructure, and research capacity. However, this deficit view overlooks the vital role these institutions play in social innovation and sustainable development. The researchers examined the University of Cape Town as a case study to understand how African universities can promote social innovation. They identified three pathways: social intrapreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and social extrapreneurship.
Social intrapreneurship involves working within an existing organization to drive change. In a university setting, intrapreneurs can be academics, professional staff, or students who utilize their positions and resources to innovate. This might involve redesigning teaching methods or widening access to university resources. The University of Cape Town's Centre for Higher Education Development is an example of intrapreneurship, working to improve students' access and success through mentoring and academic advising programs.
Social entrepreneurship involves creating an environment that supports the emergence of new organizations and ventures. Universities can spawn ventures with social impact, addressing social and environmental problems. The University of Cape Town's Solution Space is an example, providing training, mentoring, and access to networks for entrepreneurs and new ventures.
Social extrapreneurship involves creating spaces for different actors to meet, exchange knowledge, and develop solutions together. The university becomes a connector and convenor. The Social Innovation in Health Initiative, co-founded by the University of Cape Town's Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is an example. It connects researchers, innovators, health practitioners, and others to develop and scale solutions to health challenges.
The researchers found that individuals and groups at the University of Cape Town were addressing societal problems through the three approaches. However, they also identified barriers, including bureaucracy, rigid structures, and limited resources. Social innovation requires reciprocal relationships and recognition of different forms of knowledge.
The researchers recommend that African universities create enabling conditions for experimentation, support innovative ideas, and build partnerships across sectors and communities. Implementing these recommendations requires navigating complex social and institutional contexts, including the legacy of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa.
Key points
- Universities can drive social change through social intrapreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and social extrapreneurship.
- African universities have significant public resources that can be leveraged to address societal problems.
- Social innovation requires reciprocal relationships and recognition of different forms of knowledge.
