Real societal change does not happen by just sitting in a lecture hall. It happens when you roll up your sleeves, be proactive, and start asking the difficult questions.
During the boot camp, the University of the Free State (UFS) saw this ethos come to life. The ACCESS UFS student boot camp brought diverse groups of students together for four intensive days of hands-on learning, transforming theoretical principles of sustainability and social justice into tangible, community-driven action.
A global network of change
The UFS is not working in isolation. The ACCESS UFS programme is officially linked to the UNESCO Knowledge for Change (K4C) South Africa Northern Hub – a community-based research partnership that includes the UFS, NWU, and CUT.
From theory to tangible action
Rather than a traditional seminar, the four-day boot camp was a masterclass in experiential learning. Students tackled a spectrum of pressing global and local issues, navigating the complexities of the climate crisis, health, well-being, and social justice.
Through hands-on workshops such as eco-brick making and worm farming with Kovsie Act, alongside creative problem-solving via social justice theatre and arts-based research, the cohort translated systemic challenges into actionable reality. They did not just absorb information; they built a ‘community of care’ grounded in shared meaning and trust.
The summit culminated in an appreciative enquiry session where students collaboratively generated research goals and action plans. They left not just with ideas, but also with a firm grasp of Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) methodologies to implement in their communities.
Equipped for sustainable futures
Dr Gernus Terblanche, Postdoctoral Researcher and ACCESS UFS Facilitator, noted the profound shift in the students’ perspectives over the four days.
"The boot camp highlighted the strengths and knowledge of our students as a community," says Dr Terblanche. "It showed them that they have many assets, skills, and knowledge that they can use to address societal issues. The ACCESS UFS programme, therefore, equips students not just with theoretical knowledge, but also provides them with practical, experiential, and creative ways of conducting research and creating interventions to make a meaningful and lasting impact on campus and in their communities."
It was a beautiful display of open, honest collaboration. By actively utilising their lived experiences, these students are not just preparing for the future; they are actively building a more responsible one.