Welcome by DVC Prof Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela

On 14 May 2024, a three-day Community Engagement Conference hosted by Rhodes University kicked off. Attended by scholars worldwide, the conference focuses on the history of community engagement in universities, exploring its milestones and impact while considering further actions to fortify a cohesive community-university-society partnership.
The conference seeks to contribute to the knowledge base concerning community engagement, examining the dynamic between community, university, and society in South Africa and internationally.
In her opening remarks, Rhodes University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, expressed appreciation for the strides made in community engagement. She commended Ms Di Hornby, Director of the Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) Division, and her team for their exemplary efforts in enhancing community engagement. “We are immensely proud of our community engagement team, led by Ms Di Hornby, for their outstanding contributions,” she stated.
“Today, we commemorate the significant advancements made by South African universities in establishing community engagement as a pivotal element of their academic endeavours. We celebrate this transformation from what was previously termed ‘community service’,” she remarked.