Introduction -- A conceptual framework for analysing university interaction with external partners -- Research design and methodology -- Mapping the scale of interaction in the five universities -- International reputation and local relevance: community engagement as service at research university 1 -- Connecting academic work to the public good: social responsiveness at research university 2 -- Community engagement and work-integrated learning: a paradigm shift at the university of technology -- Forging a new academic identity: engagement at a comprehensive university -- A more active development orientation: community engagement at a rural university -- Conclusion: towards university interaction with external social partners.