The relationship with society as a key factor to increase quality levels in Ecuadorian universities

Abstract

Through a systematic literature review of relevant sources and good practices in higher education institutions, this article seeks first to approach the definition of the concept of linkage with society from the perspective of referential authors, and then contextualize it in the case of Ecuadorian universities, highlighting its fundamental role as a determining factor for the improvement of quality in the educational system, through a description of its evolution in terms of university accreditation models in the context of Ecuador. The linkage with society as a dimension of higher education focuses on establishing a bidirectional relationship between the institution and society, allowing the university to contribute to social development and, in turn, benefit from the knowledge of the community. The article highlights that the linkage with society can: i) improve educational quality by providing students with practical and relevant experiences that complement their theoretical training; ii) collaboration with external companies and institutions fosters knowledge transfer and innovation, enriching the curriculum and improving the relevance of academic programs, iii) promotes applied research and the solution of real problems, addressing specific societal challenges and generating positive impact in various sectors. As a result, the importance of establishing articulated processes of linkage with society is emphasized, through the definition of dimensions and characteristics of this substantive function that allow the quality of universities to be enhanced.