A recent study on African higher education highlights the potential for universities to drive social innovation by leveraging their extensive public resources. These resources include knowledge, skilled personnel, infrastructure and networks, which can be mobilised beyond traditional teaching and research. The study, which examined the University of Cape Town as a case study, outlines three pathways for African universities to address societal challenges.
The three pathways identified are social intrapreneurship, social entrepreneurship and social extrapreneurship. Social intrapreneurship involves using internal resources to redesign curricula, broaden access to facilities, or shift the university’s engagement with local communities. This approach enables academics, staff or students to drive change from within the institution.
Social entrepreneurship is another pathway that expands university impact by connecting ideas, people and resources to launch ventures that address social and environmental problems. This approach moves beyond the commercialisation of patents and enables universities to have a broader impact on society. The Solution Space at the University of Cape Town illustrates this approach, providing training, mentorship and network access to support emerging social enterprises.
Social extrapreneurship positions the university as a convenor, creating platforms where academia, government, business and civil society collaborate on complex challenges. The Social Innovation in Health Initiative, co-founded by the University of Cape Town’s Bertha Centre, is an example of extrapreneurial collaboration. This initiative connects researchers, innovators and health practitioners to develop and scale health solutions.
The study notes that while these pathways can reinforce each other, barriers such as bureaucracy, rigid structures and limited resources often hinder sustained social innovation in African universities. These barriers can prevent universities from realising their full potential in driving social change.
To overcome these institutional constraints, authors recommend that African universities create enabling conditions for experimentation, support ideas that can spin off into external organisations, and build cross-sector partnerships. By doing so, universities can foster a culture of social innovation and entrepreneurship that benefits society as a whole.
The study’s findings have implications for African universities seeking to drive social change. By leveraging their resources and adopting a more entrepreneurial approach, universities can play a more significant role in addressing societal challenges. The University of Cape Town’s experience serves as a model for other African universities seeking to drive social innovation.
Key points
- African universities can drive social innovation through social intrapreneurship, entrepreneurship and extrapreneurship.
- The University of Cape Town is a model for social innovation in African universities.
- Barriers such as bureaucracy and limited resources hinder sustained social innovation in African universities.
