The Third Mission of Universities: Strategic Leadership and Transformation Management
Course format: Blended (recorded online modules + offline facilitation + individual and group work)
Total workload: 60 academic hours
This course provides a structured and evidence-informed approach to understanding and implementing the Third Mission of universities and VET institutions. Participants will explore the strategic and institutional dimensions of civic engagement, stakeholder cooperation, social innovation, and knowledge valorisation.
The program is grounded in real institutional needs and supports the development of applicable transformation projects. Learners will work with curated materials, recorded video lectures, group exercises, and receive offline facilitation. The course concludes with a capstone project aligned with each institution’s mission and development trajectory.
Course Description
Learner pre-requirements
This course is intended for:
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University and VET leaders, academic administrators, and unit heads
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Managers of innovation, sustainability, internationalisation, and outreach programs
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Institutional developers and policy professionals
No prior experience in the Third Mission is required, but familiarity with strategic governance or stakeholder partnerships is recommended.
Learning objectives
Participants will:
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Understand the theoretical foundations and policy evolution of the Third Mission
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Analyze the university as an ecosystem actor in regional and societal development
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Apply tools for project design, stakeholder mapping, and value co-creation
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Explore hybrid financial models including endowments, EU grants, and partnerships
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Develop communication strategies aligned with institutional positioning and public value
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Design an actionable strategic project for Third Mission implementation or scaling
Skills
addressed
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Ecosystem thinking and stakeholder partnership building
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Strategic foresight and institutional transformation
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Project design and evaluation (Theory of Change, impact pathways)
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Endowment and blended finance models in higher education
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University branding and science communication
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Multilevel governance and alignment with SDGs/ESG
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Quality assurance and strategic reporting of societal engagement
Course structure
The course consists of six interrelated modules, each combining theoretical input, recorded video lectures, guided facilitation, individual reflection, and collaborative project development. The program concludes with the design and defense of a strategic institutional project addressing the implementation or enhancement of the university’s Third Mission.
Module 1:
Theoretical Foundations of the Third Mission
This module introduces the conceptual evolution of the Third Mission within higher education policy and practice. It explores different models of university engagement with society, economy, and the public sector, while contextualizing global trends in institutional transformation, civic engagement, and the expansion of academic missions beyond teaching and research.
Module 2:
The University as an Ecosystem Actor
Focusing on the university’s role within regional and innovation ecosystems, this module examines frameworks such as the Triple, Quadruple and Quintuple Helix, and tools for mapping stakeholders and co-creating public value. Participants will explore how universities act as anchor institutions and strategic partners in cross-sectoral development.
Module 3:
Project Management for the Third Mission
This module provides practical approaches to the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects aligned with the Third Mission. Participants will work with logic models, Theory of Change frameworks, and stakeholder engagement techniques to conceptualize initiatives with measurable societal impact relevant to their institutional context.
Module 4:
Financial Mechanisms and Sustainability Models
Participants will explore various financial models that support the Third Mission, including university endowment structures, blended financing, grant schemes (e.g., Erasmus+, Horizon Europe), and public-private partnerships. The module emphasizes resource diversification and long-term sustainability strategies tailored to institutional missions.
Module 5: Communication, Branding, and Institutional Positioning
This module addresses how universities communicate their societal relevance and strategically position themselves as public actors. Topics include science-to-society communication, institutional storytelling, brand architecture, stakeholder visibility, and the alignment of reputation strategies with engagement goals.
Module 6:
Strategic Leadership and Institutional Integration
The final module focuses on leadership strategies and governance mechanisms required to embed the Third Mission into institutional structures. It includes organizational change management, strategic foresight, integration into quality assurance and reporting systems, and the development of institutional roadmaps. The course concludes with the defense of a capstone project designed by each participant to address a real institutional challenge.
Teaching design
This course applies a blended and facilitative model:
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Recorded presentations and readings: available asynchronously for self-paced learning
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Facilitated sessions: delivered offline or in hybrid mode, focused on clarifying and applying module content
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Group work: development of institutional Third Mission strategies or interventions in cross-functional teams
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Capstone project: strategic initiative or transformation roadmap for your institution, reviewed and presented in the final phase
30% — Recorded materials and expert presentations
30% — Facilitated group activities and reflection sessions
40% — Capstone project development, mentoring, and defens
Outcome
Participants who complete the full course and successfully defend their capstone project will receive a Professional Development Certificate (60 hours / ECTS-compatible). Final projects may be used in university strategy processes, grant applications, or policy reporting.
Application process
