This publication explores a range of helpful policy measures and institutional reforms. Drawing from an extensive review of 14 regions across 12 countries as well as OECD territorial reviews, it considers the regional engagement of higher education regarding teaching, research and service to the community. It offers answers to the following questions: What is higher education's regional engagement all about? What are its drivers and barriers? What does regional engagement mean for the governance and management of higher education institutions, for regions and for nations? And how does regional engagement fit in with the pursuit of world class academic excellence? Table of contents in English Executive Summary Chapter 1. Introductory Remarks Chapter 2. Drivers for Regional Engagement Chapter 3. Barriers to Regional Engagement of Higher Education Chapter 4. The Regions and their Higher Education Institutions -Australia -Brazil -Canada -Denmark -Finland -Korea -Mexico -The Netherlands -Norway -Spain -Sweden -United Kingdom: England -Cross-Border Co-operation between Denmark and Sweden -Conclusions Chapter 5. Contribution of Higher Education to Regional Business Innovation: Overcoming the Barriers Chapter 6. Contribution of Higher Education to Regional Human Capital Formation: Overcoming the Barriers Chapter 7. Contribution of Higher Education to Social, Cultural, and Environmental Development: Overcoming the Barriers Chapter 8. Building Capacity for Co-operation between Higher Education and Regions Chapter 9. Pointers for Future Development Annex A. OECD Project on Supporting the Contribution of Higher Education Institutions to Regional Development Annex B. Selected OECD Countries' Characteristics and Innovation-Based Policies Targeting at the Regional Engagement of Higher Education Institutions Bibliography