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12 December 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Dr Karen Venter
Dr Venter received her PhD at the December graduation ceremonies. She focused on addressing societal challenges through the practice of engaged scholarship in community-university research partnerships for the common good.

When asked what inspired her to pursue a PhD, Dr Karen Venter, Head of the Division of Service Learning in the Directorate Community Engagement at the University of the Free State (UFS), said she wanted to make a difference in addressing societal challenges through the practice of engaged scholarship in community-university research partnerships for the common good. 

“Also, I love to learn and share knowledge – and that is exactly what I did in this PhD, titled: An integrated service-learning praxis approach for flourishment of professional development in community-higher education partnerships.” 

She explains, “My five-articles-style thesis explored the contribution of an integrated service-learning praxis approach towards the flourishment of engaged scholarship in community-higher education partnerships. The approach combined community engaged service-learning (CESL), appreciative inquiry and appreciative leadership, to advance the praxis of engaged scholarship. The study was demarcated in the field of higher education, applied in the discipline of nursing education, and contextually bound to three interrelated action research cycles and settings – for international, national, and local level engagement.”

Community members participate in the research journey

“The intent of the study was to recognise the community-led action learning of community member participants at the core action learning set,” says Dr Venter. 

The study followed a participatory action learning and action research methodology. During her research journey, she was joined by members of the community, specifically from Bloemshelter – a shelter for the homeless. “They co-constructed and completed a four-year community-led action learning pathway to holistic development (spiritual, personal, professional), which brought about holistic social change and well-being in their livelihood, moving from dependence on others to establishing viable multiple micro-enterprises,” she says.

The UFS affiliated with GULL to reward the community member participants’ action learning. “Already in 2019, GULL certified their action learning with a Professional Bachelor’s degree, while I still had to document the action research, and only now received the PhD,” says Dr Venter. 

“I am grateful to all the participants who co-created action-oriented knowledge with me in the study, from international, to national, to local level of engagement.”

Integrating a PhD with work and life

A PhD requires a lot of hard work and effort, to the point that the lines between studies, work, and life become blurred. Dr Venter acknowledged that she tried to balance work/life and study, but “I was not very good at it”. 
Passion, patience, peace, perseverance, positivity, and prayer are good principles to maintain when you are in the process of completing a PhD. – Dr Karen Venter 

She elaborates, “Studying became an integrated part of my work and life.  For the duration of my studies, I started working at 03:00 and I also did not watch any television.” She did, however, make time for herself by joining the wellness workout programme presented by the UFS, enjoyed gardening, and playing with her grandchildren. “I also tried to rest one day over weekends, and made time to praise and worship, which energised me for the next week,” she adds. 

“Passion, patience, peace, perseverance, positivity, and prayer are good principles to maintain when you are in the process of completing a PhD, she believes. 

Dr Venter says that although writing a PhD is indeed lonely, it is also an exciting journey, “especially when you reach those moments of breakthrough that can only come to life after deep reflection.” She also describes it as a deep spiritual journey. “Almost like walking in and out of a labyrinth – and where many hours become equal to a breath.

She is very grateful to her supervisors, Dr Somarie Holtzhausen, Prof Mabel Erasmus, and Dr Elanie Myburgh. “I deeply honour and salute you for your unconditional and continuous coaching, compassion, and care – guiding, supporting, motivating, mentoring, and keeping me grounded until I completed the journey.”

 

 


News Archive

Meet our Council: Marius Swart – a Councillor with deep roots in the UFS
2017-07-12

Description: Meet our Council: Marius Swart – a Councillor with deep roots in the UFS Tags: Marius Swart, University Council, Mediclinic, cardiothoracic surgeon, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery  

Marius Swart, Alumni election on the UFS Council.
Photo: Stephen Collett

Marius Swart, a Kovsie alumnus, is an Alumni election on the University Council. Not only is he a Kovsie alumnus, but all four of his siblings and their spouses are Kovsie alumni, as well as all three his children.   

Interest in future decisions at the UFS
He is currently practicing as cardiothoracic surgeon at Mediclinic in Bloemfontein, but has always been involved with the Faculty of Health Sciences at the university.  He spent eight years as consultant in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and recently became a registered student again when he enrolled for an interdisciplinary PhD.  He is currently also supervisor for the research projects of undergraduate medical students.

Thus, Marius no doubt has a substantial interest in the issues and future decisions at the UFS.

Guard against retroformation
"Higher education is a challenging environment and expectations about excellence and human development are being tested.  Transformation is on everybody’s lips, but we have to guard against what I would call retroformation – moving back to old regimes and new forms of exclusion," he says.

Marius is excited to begin his term with a new Rector and Vice-Chancellor.  He realises that many challenges awaits him as councillor on the way forward, but he is ready to pull his weight in Council.

"My own daughter is involved in the challenges students are experiencing on a daily basis, and my wife is supporting a first-generation rural student.  The university should be sensitive to these students.  Empowering them can bring change to communities."

His interests are varied and it is clear that he has a vision for a better world.

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