Namibia: Learning Capability as a Precondition for Development

The idea of engagement was advanced by the Association of Commonwealth Universities in their publication of 2003. The publication asserted: "Engagement, implies strenuous, thoughtful, argumentative interaction with non-university world in at least four spheres". These four spheres were identified as (a) setting universities' aims, purposes and priorities; (b) relating teaching and learning to the wider world; (c) the back-and forth dialogue between researchers and practitioners; and (d) higher education institutions taking on wider responsibilities as neighbours and citizens.