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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

New electoral body for student elections
2004-07-24

The University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA) to handle the upcoming election of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Student Parliament on the main campus.

"EISA specialises in elections and have done vast research on the subject"said Dr Natie Luyt, acting Dean: Student Affairs at the UFS.

Dr Luyt said that the UFS wanted an electoral body that can act as neutral and objective as possible. "EISA is a credible electoral body with the necessary knowledge and expertise. We have full confidence that they will ensure a free and fair election on campus"said Dr Luyt.

"EISA is a neutral party and our main aim is to promote democracy through the process of elections"said Mr Seth Phamuli, Chief Electoral Officer of EISA's UFS election campaign.

Mr Phamuli said that EISA has handled the SRC and Council elections of several other tertiary institutions in the country. These include among others the University of the Witwatersrand , the University of the North, Unitra, Wits Technicon, Vista and Pretoria Technicon. "EISA also acts as the secretariat for the Southern African Developing Countries (SADC) as far as elections are concerned and manages the election processes of various parastatal bodies in the country"said Mr Phamuli.

No changes to the constitution of the SRC have been made for this year's election. "The UFS Council decided last year that any changes to the constitution of the SRC should be submitted for consideration by the Council meeting which took place in June. However, the amendments were submitted late - after the closing date for agenda items to be added"said Dr Luyt.

The elections on the main campus will take place on 11 August 2004 .


MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za 25 Julie 2004

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