Abstract
Universities
play a critical role in communities by means of community engagement which is
considered a corner stone activity of higher institutions. One of the three focal
areas on the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) 2015 agenda for
transformation is the community engagement policy, expressed as "Towards
the African university in the service of humanity". This article
illuminates aspects of Unisa’s community engagement policy by way of two
successfully completed community engagement projects. The first example
consisted of a qualitative study which was undertaken at a special school in Gauteng, for learners
with severe intellectual disabilities (SID). A “Learn not to Burn” mainstream
curriculum was adapted to make it accessible for learners with SID. The results
led to further community engagement activities. The second example relates to a
qualitative, ethnographic study conducted in a rural area in Kwa-Zulu Natal
with children with physical disabilities (CWPDs), exploring the negative
influences of the rural community on them. Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological
systems theory was used to underpin the research. Ultimately the latter
research led to an envisaged community engagement project. Based on the
outcomes of the two successfully executed community research projects, we
propose guidelines and success indicators for future university community
engagement projects.
Thanks
Dr M. Kempen Principal at the school where the LNTB project was executed.
References
- Ben-David, B. 2012. The impact of negative influences facing children with physical disabilities in rural areas. PhD thesis, Unisa.
- Bronfenbrenner, U. 1979. The Ecology of Human development: experiences by nature and design.MA: Harvard University Press.
- Baradei, LE & Amin, KZ. 2010. Commuinity participation in education: a case study of the boards of trustees’ experience in the Fayoum governorate in Egypt. Africa Education Review 7(1):107–138.
- Clary, EG & Snyder, M. 1999. The motivations to volunteer: theoretical and practical considerations. Current Directions in Psychological Science8:156–159.
- Council on Higher Education. 2004. Criteria for Institutional Audits, June 2004. Higher Education Quality Committee p i-27.
- Council on Higher Education. 2006. A good practice guide and self-evaluation instruments from managing the quality of service-learning. Higher Eucation Quality Committee. June, 2006. P i-70.
- Creswell, J.W. 2007. Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. London: Sage.
- Department of Education (DoE), 1997. The Draft White Paper on Higher Education. Pretoria.
- Department of Education 1999. Consultative Paper No.1 on Special Education: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System, First Steps. Pretoria: Government Printers.
- Department of Education (DoE). 2001. Education White Paper 6.Special Needs Education. Building an Inclusive Education and Training System. Pretoria, Elsen Directorate.
- Department of Basic Education (DBE) 2009. Guidelines for full-service/inclusive schools. Pretoria:Department of Education.
- Dreyer, LM. 2008. An evaluation of a learning support model in primary schools in the West Coast/Winelands area. Doctoral Thesis, Stellenbosch University.
- Hall, M. 2010. Community Engagement in South African Higher Education. Kagisano no 6, January 2010.
- McNall, M, Reed, CS, Brown, R& Allen,A. 2009. Brokering community-university engagement.Innov High Euc 33(5):317–331.
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 2005. Guidelines for Inclusion: Ensuring Access to Education for All. UNESCO 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France ED-2009/WS/31. Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001402/140224e.pdf Accessed on: 14/11/2011.
- University of South Africa (Unisa). 2008. Unisa Community Engagement (CE) and Outreach Policy. www.unisa.ac.za Accessed January 2014.
- Watt, D. (2007). On Becoming a Qualitative Researcher: The Value of Reflexivity. The Qualitative Report Vol.12, 1:82-101.
- Welman, C, Kruger, F & Mitchell, B. 2008. Research Methodology. 3rd edition. South Africa: Oxford University Press.
Abstract
References
- Ben-David, B. 2012. The impact of negative influences facing children with physical disabilities in rural areas. PhD thesis, Unisa.
- Bronfenbrenner, U. 1979. The Ecology of Human development: experiences by nature and design.MA: Harvard University Press.
- Baradei, LE & Amin, KZ. 2010. Commuinity participation in education: a case study of the boards of trustees’ experience in the Fayoum governorate in Egypt. Africa Education Review 7(1):107–138.
- Clary, EG & Snyder, M. 1999. The motivations to volunteer: theoretical and practical considerations. Current Directions in Psychological Science8:156–159.
- Council on Higher Education. 2004. Criteria for Institutional Audits, June 2004. Higher Education Quality Committee p i-27.
- Council on Higher Education. 2006. A good practice guide and self-evaluation instruments from managing the quality of service-learning. Higher Eucation Quality Committee. June, 2006. P i-70.
- Creswell, J.W. 2007. Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. London: Sage.
- Department of Education (DoE), 1997. The Draft White Paper on Higher Education. Pretoria.
- Department of Education 1999. Consultative Paper No.1 on Special Education: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System, First Steps. Pretoria: Government Printers.
- Department of Education (DoE). 2001. Education White Paper 6.Special Needs Education. Building an Inclusive Education and Training System. Pretoria, Elsen Directorate.
- Department of Basic Education (DBE) 2009. Guidelines for full-service/inclusive schools. Pretoria:Department of Education.
- Dreyer, LM. 2008. An evaluation of a learning support model in primary schools in the West Coast/Winelands area. Doctoral Thesis, Stellenbosch University.
- Hall, M. 2010. Community Engagement in South African Higher Education. Kagisano no 6, January 2010.
- McNall, M, Reed, CS, Brown, R& Allen,A. 2009. Brokering community-university engagement.Innov High Euc 33(5):317–331.
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 2005. Guidelines for Inclusion: Ensuring Access to Education for All. UNESCO 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France ED-2009/WS/31. Available at: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001402/140224e.pdf Accessed on: 14/11/2011.
- University of South Africa (Unisa). 2008. Unisa Community Engagement (CE) and Outreach Policy. www.unisa.ac.za Accessed January 2014.
- Watt, D. (2007). On Becoming a Qualitative Researcher: The Value of Reflexivity. The Qualitative Report Vol.12, 1:82-101.
- Welman, C, Kruger, F & Mitchell, B. 2008. Research Methodology. 3rd edition. South Africa: Oxford University Press.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Studies on Education |
| Journal Section | Research Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | December 1, 2014 |
| Acceptance Date | August 4, 2014 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2014 Volume: 1 Issue: 2 |
