Community engagement at the University of the Free State

The UFS adopted the function of community engagement to implement its commitment to the development of society. Following an integrated model, our approach to community engagement includes, but is not limited to the following: 

- developmental engagement
- research
- community service-learning
- community service/volunteerism
- partnerships.

The UFS believes that engagement must be done in partnership with other stakeholders. A triad partnership model is followed, which includes

- staff and students from the university;
- community members served by a service sector; and  
- the service sector, mostly comprising government departments, non-governmental organisations, private businesses, industry, and social enterprises.

The UFS believes that engagement must be done in partnership with other stakeholders.

In summary, the UFS has responded positively to the challenge of transformation in higher education over the past two decades. The community service policy of the UFS (2002; 2006) is continuously grounded on the relevant vision and mission of the UFS to be an excellent, equitable, and innovative university. This vision and mission are achieved through the pursuit of scholarship as embodied in the discovery, co-creation, integration, application, and transmission of knowledge. The vision is achieved by promoting an academic culture expressed through quality education, research, and citizenship.