Advancing Teaching and Research and Improving the Quality of Life through University-Community Engagement

Posted by University of Pennsylvania on August 4, 2014

On July 22, Dr. Ira Harkavy, PHENND Founder and Steering Committee member and Director of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania, delivered the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Oration at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia.

The oration, entitled, “Advancing Teaching and Research and Improving the Quality of Life through University-Community Engagement: A View from the United States,” makes a powerful, historical and academic case for the developing global university-community engagement movement, as well as discusses the obstacles the movement faces to realize its potential to advance research, teaching, and learning and improve the quality of life for all. The Netter Center’s work in West Philadelphia is also described as an illustrative example, particularly highlighting the work of ABCS courses, the University-Assisted Community School model, and the specific examples of the Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative and Moelis Access Science.

Edith Cowan has published the full transcript on their website to make it widely accessible: http://www.ecu.edu.au/news/latest-news/2014/07/vice-chancellors-distinguished-oration-for-2014, as well as posted a video of Ira delivering the speech on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjNl2zqjJwo.