Engagement between universities and communities acquired a different dimension last week with the launch of the first summit of the Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN) by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

APUCEN was conceptualised in 2009 during the inaugural University-Community Engagement Conference in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Community Engaged Research and UNESCO-Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Two hundred participants from 16 countries worldwide attended the conference.

Indeed, APUCEN -- one of three resolutions adopted during the 2009 conference -- is aimed at enhancing social responsibilities and addressing the changing roles of tertiary institutions.

Read more: PERSPECTIVE: Redefining rules of engagement