Social Projection: Reflections From Practice In High Quality Accredited Universities

Abstract

Social outreach is an essential function of universities that promotes high quality conditions. This article reflects on how social outreach promotes interaction between the university and society, contributing to the development of communities by linking academics to social needs. The research adopted an interpretative qualitative methodological approach. Case studies were used as the main methodological strategy, combining semi-structured interviews with social actors, teachers and students involved in outreach projects, together with documentary analysis of strategic plans, reports and institutional records. The results show that social outreach constitutes a strategy for universities to achieve high quality recognition, allowing students and teachers to develop key competencies such as critical thinking, social responsibility and transformational leadership. In addition, interaction with communities facilitates the feedback of academic knowledge, improving the relevance of educational programs and fostering social innovation. It is concluded that social outreach is part of the evaluation and accreditation of high quality institutional and academic programs to form not only competent professionals, but also citizens committed to their environment. Hence, to ensure compliance with quality standards in the condition of social outreach, universities should adopt interdisciplinary approaches, establish strategic alliances with the external sector and ensure the sustainability of projects in the long term.