“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” – Martin Luther King Jr

The Active Community Citizens through Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability (ACCESS) programme reflects this belief, bringing together passionate students who dedicate their time to addressing social justice, health and wellness, and environmental challenges in their communities.

Designed to empower students to make meaningful impacts, the programme also offers opportunities to connect with peers and community partners, building lasting and meaningful relationships.

Through participatory action learning, action research, and hands-on community engagement projects, students gain valuable real-world experience beyond the classroom. In 2024, more than 600 students participated in ACCESS activities, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and impact.

According to Gernus Terblanche, Assistant Researcher and Head of the Engaged Scholarship Office in the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at the University of the Free State (UFS), ACCESS is a self-directed and co-created programme driven by the students themselves. These collaborative elements build a strong sense of belonging, care, and ownership among participants.

Mapped as a co-curricular programme

He explains that within Student Life – part of the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) – ACCESS has been formally recognised as a co-curricular programme with two main components. The first is the ACCESS Student Volunteerism Programme, a network of students who dedicate their time to various initiatives, including community engagement projects with local partners, on-campus workshops and events, and awareness campaigns.

The second component – the ACCESS Action Learning Group – is affiliated with the Global University of Lifelong Learning. This programme provides students with a structured pathway for skills and leadership development through participatory action learning and action research. “In this approach, students are actively involved in designing programmes, identifying challenges, and equipping themselves with skills grounded in the UFS graduate attributes,” Terblanche remarks.

He believes that all students interested in creating a positive social impact will find something meaningful in these programmes. “The initiatives go beyond theoretical knowledge, offering a strong practical component where students gain hands-on experience. We also help students develop a wide range of graduate attributes, including critical thinking, problem-solving, oral and written communication, ethical reasoning, community engagement, entrepreneurial mindset, and digital competencies.”

The ACCESS Volunteerism Programme will kick off in February, followed by the ACCESS Action Learning Group in March.

Aligning with the SDGs and the UFS’ Vision 130

ACCESS – a collaborative programme between the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) and the Directorate of Community Engagement – is grounded in the UFS model of Engaged Scholarship, which integrates engaged research, citizenship, and co-curricular learning and teaching. According to Terblanche, the programme is not only guided by the graduate attributes of DSA’s co-curricular initiatives, but also aligns with the DSA Strategy, the UFS’ Vision 130, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In terms of the latter, the programme addresses the first 16 SDGs through its three core themes, while its overarching focus is on Goal 17, which emphasises partnerships for change. “This reflects the vision of our students – to work together to create programmes and spaces that enable meaningful change,” says Terblanche.

With regard to Vision 130, ACCESS focuses on care, social justice, and sustainability. At the same time, the programme also prioritises innovation, impact, accountability, and excellence. Terblanche believes that Vision 130’s Tenet 2, which focuses on achieving maximum societal impact through sustainable relationships, aligns particularly well with the mission of ACCESS.

Reciprocal learning with community members

The most remarkable aspect of working with community partners is the reciprocal learning that occurs through collaboration on shared programmes. Terblanche highlights the willingness of community members to share their wealth of knowledge with students, creating a sense of social cohesion and true community. Many of the students have commented that they can fully immerse themselves in the programme and forget about many of the things that they are stressed about. ACCESS, he says, is a space where students can be mindful and reflective while making a tangible difference.

ACCESS is offering several impactful initiatives this year. The Living Labs programme equips students with sustainable gardening skills, such as composting and earthworm farming, while exploring opportunities to expand into entrepreneurship. The soap-making and menstrual health programme will incorporate cold-processed soaps using herbs from the ACCESS herb garden. The initiative also aims to educate students about menstrual, sexual, and reproductive health, partnering with the School of Nursing to deliver workshops and awareness campaigns that destigmatise these important topics. The earth building and recycling project will see an expansion of the eco-brick initiative, focusing on training more students and using eco-bricks to create funky and creative furniture, promoting sustainable building practices.

What truly sets ACCESS apart are the students who bring the programme to life. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and passion make ACCESS a space where impactful ideas and initiatives thrive. Terblanche believes that the students’ commitment is what makes the programme so special.