Traditionally, two missions are assigned to universities, namely the training of skills (teaching) and the production of new knowledge (research). In many countries, a third mission has emerged concerning the impacts on society with two components of requirement and evaluation, the first for each teacher-researcher and the second for universities or higher schools as a whole.

By impact on society, various visions are possible, some countries rather consider economic impacts such as the number of patents, the number of start-ups, the creation of incubators, research projects with companies. Others give more importance to social or societal aspects, such as conferences and publications for the general public, popular education (universities of the third age), the creation of museums, contracts with local authorities, the organization and animation of scientific cafés, science festival, visit of high school students, etc.

In our view, although often not mentioned, assistance to universities in developing countries falls entirely within the scope of this third mission. Let us not forget that one of the disastrous consequences of the so-called Shanghai ranking was to push universities to conclude partnerships that could make them climb in this ranking at the expense of international solidarity.

For example, it should be noted that Italy has set up a rigorous system for evaluating the third mission in each of the higher institutions.
For further information, please contact Professor Robert Laurini, .