Universities as engines of change: lessons from Cape Town
Researchers say African universities are too often judged by what they lack. A UCT study shows three ways they already drive social innovation.
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Cape Town — African universities are usually discussed in terms of what they lack: money, buildings, research capacity, places in global rankings. Researchers writing in The Conversation argue that this "deficit view", rooted in colonial history, hides how much they already do for society.
Using the University of Cape Town as a case study, they identify three ways universities can drive social innovation: new ideas, practices and partnerships that answer real needs.
1. Changing from within (intrapreneurship)
Staff and students use their positions to change the institution itself: redesigning teaching so students work on real problems from their own communities, or opening up the university's knowledge and facilities. UCT's Centre for Higher Education Development, which improves student access and success through mentoring and advising, is one example.
2. Starting new ventures (social entrepreneurship)
Beyond patents and spin-off companies, universities can help create ventures with social impact. UCT's Solution Space supports entrepreneurs with training, mentoring and networks.
3. Bringing others together (extrapreneurship)
Many problems cannot be solved by any one organisation. Universities can act as conveners. The Social Innovation in Health Initiative, co-founded by UCT's Bertha Centre, connects researchers, innovators and health workers to develop and scale health solutions.
The authors say that with knowledge, skilled people, infrastructure and networks, African universities can do far more than produce graduates, and help tackle unemployment, inequality and climate change.
Source: The Conversation, 27 October 2026.
