This chapter explores academic engagement in external activities in Argentina, Mexico, and Chile, examining their alignment with the “third mission” of universities within the context of the knowledge society. It analyzes how academics interact with external environments, emphasizing cross-national similarities and differences across disciplinary fields, based on the types and orientations of their engagement. The chapter pursues two main objectives: first, to investigate the extent and characteristics of academic involvement in external activities and their alignment with national public policies; and second, to situate these practices within the specific Latin American context in light of global trends, particularly in relation to both industry-oriented and socially committed forms of engagement. Drawing on data from the APIKS survey, the analysis examines whether these external activities are primarily directed toward the productive system or driven by social responsibility. It assesses the influence of public policy on these practices and considers how such dynamics may foster more diverse and complementary roles for universities alongside their core missions of teaching and research. Findings suggest that in all three countries, despite some variations, external engagement remains more closely tied to the historical and institutional legacy of Latin American universities than to global trends emphasizing industry collaboration. Moreover, recent public policy initiatives appear to have had limited impact on the development of these activities, which may instead be largely driven by the personal motivations.