The USR MOOC “Introduction to University Social Responsibility” is now relaunched on edX in a self-paced format until 31 March 2022.

The USR MOOC “Introduction to University Social Responsibility” is a new joint project of the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN). Co-developed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Kyoto University, this pilot massive open online course (MOOC) on edX describes the theoretical underpinnings of University Social Responsibility and showcases effective practices and activities carried out in different USRN member institutions around the world including The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kyoto University, The University of Manchester, Simon Fraser University, University of New South Wales, University of Pretoria and University of Sao Paulo.

The course examines how universities on all continents are creating innovative new ways to increase the social impacts and benefits of their teaching and research. It also promotes understanding of the USR concept, its implications, impacts, evaluation, implementation methods, and replicability.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what USR means, develop an overall framework for action
• Understand broad implications of the concept of USR
• Observe how USR is materialized in a wide range of activities and social engagement depending on individual universities’ priorities and contexts
• Learn to design, plan, implement and evaluate USR activities
• Learn about key challenges in designing and implementing USR activities
• Learn from good practices from member universities in the USR Network
• Learn about networking opportunities and cooperative projects that foster USR

For the detailed course introduction, learning outcomes, and syllabus, please visit the course page on edX.