Beyond the Ivory Tower: links between the university and its territories

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of the university in the Buenos Aires metropolitan region. In particular, it explores how the university takes part in local development. A multidisciplinary conceptual approach was designed that combines elements of political-organizational analysis, social innovation and local development. Data from primary and secondary sources were integrated. The results suggest that the university is a significant actor for the territorial development, although its impact is still reduced. Even though the university incorporates this mission into its agenda, the development of territorial initiatives is fragile in regional and systemic terms.