Community Engagement Trajectories in South African Universities

Sanele Gumede & Nosihle Sibiya-University of KwaZulu-Natal
In South Africa, community engagement has been overlooked even though clear
policy directives state that it is a crucial responsibility of universities. Along with
teaching and research, community engagement is one of the three primary duties
of higher education. Universities connect with a wide range of communities through
a variety of outreach, teaching, and research initiatives. However, these programs
are not always coordinated and are the product of individual initiatives rather
than methodical, strategically planned efforts.
Community engagement in higher
education institutions is not getting the priority it deserves. This paper examines
community engagement trajectories in 23 universities in South Africa. Publicly
available information is gathered and examined thematically using NVivo software.
Findings are compared and contrasted with the literature and the policy objectives
from the Council for Higher Education. Obstacles indicating a general lack of welldefined
strategic goals to support significant community engagement initiatives and
targets in some universities show that further research is required to determine how
the universities that effectively addressed this issue were formulating and carrying
out their strategic plans for community engagement.
To strengthen university
-community engagement programs and aims, it is necessary to investigate the
inadequacy of support provided by university leadership in this area. Respective
universities should carry out studies concentrating on the difficulties associated
with community participation and provide a general awareness of it in all subject
areas and departments. To encourage community-driven or initiated studies,
a collaborative intervention study between the institution and the community
increases community awareness.
By doing this, contextual problem statements
will be improved from the perspective of communities rather than the other way
around, and innovative methods for fostering positive youth development will be
created, which will help with the unemployment rate and poverty.