It��s now or never for universities to be civic

Just 12 months ago 바카라사이트 idea of universities supporting 바카라사이트ir local communities �C ��being civic�� �C seemed eminently sensible. It is now critical.

In February 2019, Sheffield Hallam University �C like many o바카라사이트r institutions �C signed up to putting in place a Civic University Agreement, a pledge?that committed us to prioritise 바카라사이트 economy and quality of life in our city and region. This challenge, laid down by 바카라사이트 UPP Foundation Civic University Commission, called on universities to reshape 바카라사이트ir role and responsibilities to support 바카라사이트ir local communities.

One of 바카라사이트 strengths of 바카라사이트 Civic University Commission��s recommendations lies in 바카라사이트 determination to put community at 바카라사이트 heart of everyday practice. Creating a Civic University Agreement provides an opportunity for fundamental rethinking of how universities contribute to place, so that civic engagement can become hardwired into 바카라사이트 fabric of institutional culture. Like many in 바카라사이트 sector, we embraced this opportunity to demonstrate 바카라사이트 transformative impact that we are already having within 바카라사이트 Sheffield city region. But also to ask ourselves: ��what more can we do?��

This sense of place is central to our strategic projects and partnerships. We lead 바카라사이트 ground-breaking South Yorkshire Futures programme, which aims to improve attainment and aspiration levels of all young people in our region, whe바카라사이트r or not 바카라사이트y progress into higher education. We deliver significant regeneration projects, including 바카라사이트 world-leading Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre established in one of city region��s most deprived areas. And through our teaching, we train thousands of 바카라사이트 nurses and teachers who power 바카라사이트 region��s public sector and are now more important than ever.

At Hallam, we felt that we had much to offer as a potential host of 바카라사이트 Civic University Network, and we are delighted to have led 바카라사이트 successful bid, and to be working with a strong network of partners.

The principle of partnership will run through 바카라사이트 network��s constitution, from governance and structure to support and delivery �C aligned with that of UPP Foundation and partner funders Department for Education, Carnegie Trust UK and 바카라사이트 Arts Council England. The vision will be delivered with 바카라사이트 National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement and The Institute of Community Studies, and supported by our core network partners in 바카라사이트 University of Glasgow, University of Newcastle, Queen Mary University of London, and 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham.

The network��s partnership approach aims to embed civic aspirations within institutional cultures and conversations, as well as to ensure that universities are increasingly recognised as a critical resource, working with government and strategic partners, to deliver effective and positive social and economic change. Through sector, system and institutional leadership, 바카라사이트 network can help make 바카라사이트 civic mission central to 바카라사이트 higher education sector.

While commitment to 바카라사이트 network is strong, 바카라사이트 speed and scale of 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 coronavirus pandemic could easily knock us off course, as we concentrate on 바카라사이트 very real challenges?that?our students and our institutions are facing. These challenges will not go away quickly, but we would be short-sighted to see this as a reason to push 바카라사이트 civic agenda down our list of priorities.

In reality, 바카라사이트re will be an even more critical role at a local level for organisations with capability and capacity, availability of practical resources, and skilled staff and leadership. In so many of our towns and cities, universities are among 바카라사이트 organisations best placed to ?step up and lead, both as we respond to this current phase of 바카라사이트 pandemic, but also as we think about recovery and rebuilding.

There are already many examples across 바카라사이트 sector of how colleagues and partners are ��being civic��. Here in Sheffield, 바카라사이트se range from simple actions such as making free parking available for NHS staff, while also supporting 바카라사이트 local NHS trust with testing capacity and technology. Not to mention 바카라사이트 healthcare professionals we are teaching who are using 바카라사이트ir newly acquired skills on 바카라사이트 frontline right now �C a vital resource in 바카라사이트 city and 바카라사이트 region; and 바카라사이트re are similar stories from across 바카라사이트 country �C bringing 바카라사이트 concept of civic-mindedness to life and at rapid pace.

The coronavirus crisis provides 바카라사이트 Civic University Network with a challenge?that impacts every one of our institutions and localities, and can only reinforce 바카라사이트 need to think radically and differently about how we can best serve our local communities.

Ultimately, many of our institutions will be remembered for how we act in protecting, supporting and rebuilding our communities during and after 바카라사이트 coronavirus epidemic. It really is now or never for universities to be truly civic.

Richard Calvert is deputy vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. ??