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November 9 & 10, 2005
The appropriate relationship between Universities and Society is difficult to understand and to manage.
How can universities balance their various roles as educational institutions and sites of pure and applied research to maximize their value to society? Is the connection between industry and university research transparent and constructive? How has this relationship changed over time? All universities, including Saskatchewan's, are grappling, every day, with these questions and this conference will advance the discussion.
The conference will focus on the theme of how changes in the external environment – in particular, the demands created by the “new economy” with respect to research, technology transfer and training – have affected post-secondary institutions and how universities are redefining or rearticulating their roles as social actors. Further, this event will encourage consideration and discussion of various analytical approaches to what is broadly termed “innovation”, as well as draw on the experiences of universities and their partners inside and outside Saskatchewan as they adjust to a new environment. A series of commissioned papers will explore conceptual issues, and there will be opportunities for scholars, business and research leaders and representatives of community organizations to engage in debate and dialogue.
The issues that the conference will examine include:
Whether or how universities should reorder their priorities in order to accommodate new demands and pressures from the outside;
How universities can maintain their autonomy while forging new kinds of links with government, industry and communities; and,
How universities can find and build on a sense of place while continuing to meet national and international standards.
This conference is presented by the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, and the Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy.
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