The development of a new methodology for knowledge sharing in the interface between university and society - An example from the meat sector

•www.porktraining.org is a repository with OER including a forum and a wiki.•We present a model for sharing of knowledge between university and society.•A community of interest in the meat sector is used to develop the model.•Openness, empowerment, quality and sustainability depict the model.•The model offers OER on recent knowledge for the meat sector.

Design science research was used for the generation, use and evaluation of a model for knowledge sharing in the user community through open educational resources (OER). The focus of interest was on the development process of a model for knowledge sharing that emphasizes the characteristics and the needs of the user community; the empowerment and democratic issues of openness; the collaboration between institutions and dialog with society; and the consideration of quality and sustainability issues. Initially, the community needs were analyzed through surveys and workshops, and the findings used, through negotiations, to formulate the development process. An open-training platform served as an infrastructure and included a repository with OER, a wiki and a discussion forum. The purpose of this article is an attempt to provide universities with a plan and template for integrated knowledge sharing that responds to societal needs. Usability and usefulness has not been evaluated.