The National Community and the University

Abstract

In the current environment of globalisation, competition and engagement in the global
knowledge economy, universities are increasingly expected to perform against global
expectations. What can sometimes seem eclipsed in the current rush to perform against these
global expectations is the mission of a university to engage and support the common good
within a framework of nation building. Building a sense of shared national purpose and
commitment to the common good by universities requires a serious look at how contemporary
globalisation and the spread and ascendency of individualistic values is diminishing our sense
of shared duty and genuine community engagement.