Universities should play a leading role in their communities and recent discussions about the sector have highlighted the importance of civic activity and the role of the sector in ensuring the health, wellbeing and prosperity of the local region.

To discuss how this looks at Kent – and what the plans are for the future – we are hosting an event on Wednesday 4 December at the Canterbury campus (Sibson building, between 18:00 and 20:30) asking “How can we make universities more beneficial to their communities”.

Institutions can maximise their regional impact, leading positive change by widening participation, supporting entrepreneurship, and collaborating and inspiring on joint projects with community partnerships.

The Secretary of State for Education has written to Higher Education Institutions setting out her headline priorities for reform of higher education – explaining that universities are expected to “play a greater civic role in their communities.”

The event will give key stakeholders in the region the opportunity to discuss what this could look like in Kent, and how businesses, community groups and the university can work together to deliver these ambitions.

After a welcome from Professor Shane Weller, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, and Innovation about our ongoing civic work – including examples of current projects – and strategy and goals for the next year, there will then be a short panel discussion. A range of speakers from the world of public engagement will discuss “How to make universities more beneficial to their communities, and what changes need to be made for them to be truly civic in their work”. This will be followed by a Q&A before drinks and networking bring the evening to an end.

Find out more about the event and if you are interested in attending please contact events@kent.ac.uk.