Benjie Norman - Earning Trust Beyond Borders: Why Social License is Critical for Universities

Universities have been a cornerstone of society for centuries, shaping knowledge, driving discovery, and transforming lives. But their social licence—the trust and legitimacy granted by the communities they serve—is not permanent. It’s something that must be earned, protected, and renewed.

We’ve seen social licence erode in Australia across industries that once seemed untouchable. Banks, airlines, even super funds have faced serious questions about their alignment with public interest. Universities are not immune. Their success is not just about financial sustainability, rankings, or student enrolments. It depends on whether people believe in what they are doing and why.

This is especially critical when universities operate beyond their home borders. Branch campuses and transnational education ventures carry all the expectations of a university while needing to be relevant to the specific needs of a different community. Social licence doesn’t travel with an institution. It has to be built from the ground up in every place a university operates.

That means genuinely understanding the local context. What does impact look like in this community? How does a university’s research, teaching, and engagement translate into meaningful value? Is the institution seen as an authentic partner, or just another organisation looking to expand its footprint?

The most successful university ventures are the ones that deeply connect with the communities they serve. They don’t just align with a mission statement. They make that mission real through education that creates opportunity, research that tackles real-world problems, and partnerships that drive positive change.

Trust is fragile but powerful. When a university gets this right, its impact is enormous—on individuals, businesses, governments, and the overall health and prosperity of society. This is what sustains a university’s relevance, no matter where in the world it operates.