The paper is one of a series from the Indian Directorate of Adult Education. Intended to stimulate reflection and discussion among educationists about the long-term perspectives, roles, and functions of universities in various aspects of adult continuing and nonformal education, the paper makes specific suggestions on opening universities to the world at large and to the surrounding communities in particular. The suggestions are made in five areas: (1) the responsibilities of universities in adult education at the basic level; (2) university responsibilities for continuing education programs; (3) the university role in promoting adult/continuing education as a discipline and research area; (4) program organization; and (5) funds. In conclusion, it is noted that the implementation of the suggestions involves some rethinking of traditional roles and functions of institutions of higher learning, some restructuring of university rules and regulations, and some reshaping of social and economic conditions for learning. Specific examples are briefly cited. (Author/AJ)