Scope of an Argentine university's link policy in promoting local socio-productive development

Abstract

This article aims to identify and evaluate the impact of the outreach policy at a medium-sized state-run university in promoting local socio-productive development. Studies in this field generally analyze the institutional dynamics and strategies for developing this function, but few studies focus on evaluating the impact and dynamics generated by the outreach policy at the regional level. In this regard, we propose addressing the scope of this policy by focusing on the participating actors, the objectives, and the development problems addressed in the outreach projects implemented. Within this framework, we argue that the outreach policy of the university analyzed had a regional scope, exceeding its local scope of action. It focused primarily on the social demands of various public and/or private actors, promoting different inputs for the generation of public policies, access to education for vulnerable social groups, and the consolidation of social rights. It also contributed to territorial development processes, particularly in relation to the social and human development dimensions of its area of ​​operation. The research was conducted using a mixed methodological approach, based on primary sources from the university under study.