Students rewarded for impactful community engagement

8 February 2024   |  Story Leonie Bolleurs

worm farming

Establishment of sustainable student programmes within the Social Impact Model was also part of the action plan and included a number of diverse projects – from Living Lab and Eco-entrepreneurship projects to creative recycling and reflection gardens. 

The journey of the students awarded by the University of the Free State (UFS) Directorate of Engaged Scholarship and Student Life: Engaged Scholarship during the Engaged Scholarship Awards in 2023, is one marked by dedication, growth, and impactful community engagement.

After the establishment of the Action-based Research Group, these students from the UFS enrolled in the Action Learning Group (ALG), known as Active Community Citizens through Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability (ACCESS).

The ALG has a professional skills and leadership development pathway, which – according to Dr Karen Venter, Head of Service Learning in the Directorate Community Engagement – is a sustainable project-orientated working model that is regionally and globally relevant. With this approach, the aim is to develop skills and leadership characteristics.

The action learning is aligned with and recognised and certified by the Global University for Lifelong Learning (GULL). Upon completion of the pathway, students can showcase their action learning through a reflective portfolio of evidence.

Creating a community of care for student communities

The students’ vision was clear: to create a holistic community of care for fellow students through societal impact and sustainable change. Their journey unfolded as they defined their mutual purpose around three broad themes: environmental affairs, health and well-being, and social justice.

In ensuring a truly sustainable social impact model, they incorporated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and embraced the values of the UFS’ Vision130 – impact, care, excellence, sustainability, accountability, and social justice.

They used the Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) methodology to address the research question: How can they as students create a holistic student community through societal impact interventions and develop a working model for sustainable skills and leadership?

In response to this research question, the students developed an action plan consisting of four major steps, beginning with the creation of a short learning programme for community engagement. This programme involved completing weekly themes aligned with the PALAR process and the GULL pathway. Eleven students successfully completed the portfolio and earned certification, including one level two certificate, five level three diplomas, three advanced diplomas, and one bachelor’s degree at the Engaged Scholarship Awards 2023.

The establishment of sustainable student programmes within the Social Impact Model was a key component of the action plan and included a number of diverse projects. In the Environmental Affairs programme, initiatives such as Living Lab (Eco bricks, Adobe bricks, vermiculture and gardening) as well as Eco-entrepreneurship were included. In the Health and Well-being programme, the focus was on menstrual health, soap and candle making, creative recycling, and a wellness and reflection garden. The Social Justice programme incorporated the KovsiesCare GBV campaign and an entrepreneurship project.

To ensure greater visibility of the programme among other students, the use of social media was adopted as the third step in their plan. The fourth step focused on skills and leadership development – a crucial aspect – with students benefiting from various courses offered by experts and faculty members. The courses covered subjects such as Asset-Based Community Development, Project Management, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Monitoring and Evaluation, Natural Building Techniques, Vermiculture, and Fundraising.

Providing students with direct access to community engagement

Upon completing the action plan, ACCESS participants identified and wrote down specific themes of interest that speak to the programme. Some of these included knowledge co-creation, creation of a sustainable stakeholder network, and the establishment of spaces for engaging events and initiatives.

Coordination and planning were essential to the success of weekly activities, and the Directorate Community Engagement and Student Life: Engaged Scholarship ensured full support – from drafting sponsorship letters to arranging transport and refreshments.

The belief underlying this journey is the commitment to providing UFS students with direct access to community engagement and social impact programmes, accompanied by the relevant information necessary for developing these initiatives.

It became clear that celebrating co-curricular and extra-curricular community engagement initiatives and driving community-based research through student structures are essential elements in empowering and nurturing future leaders at the UFS.
 
 

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herb gardening
brick making


 

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