Fifteen South African and eight international universities participated in a hybrid format higher education CommunityEngagement Learning Symposium. The symposium focused on discussing the impact of community engagement in South Africa and Africa. The event was held over three days and featured expert speakers, engaging panel discussions, and interactive workshops.
The symposium was an excellent opportunity for academics, researchers, and community leaders to come together and share their experiences and insights regarding community engagement. The discussions were centred around the importance of community engagement in higher education and its role in developing sustainable and equitable societies.
The South African universities that participated in the symposium included Stellenbosch University, Nelson Mandela Univesity, the University of Free State, and the University of Pretoria. The international universities that participated included Stanford University and Kings College London.
The symposium was structured to allow in-person and virtual attendance, making it accessible to a broader audience. Attendees could interact with each other through various virtual platforms, which allowed for a seamless experience.
The keynote speakers were experts in their fields and provided valuable insights into the importance of community engagement. Prof Timothy Stanton presented on 'Community engagement as community development: Making a case for multilateral, Cultivating the skills of women for resilience in Ilembe district: collaborative, equity-focused campus community partnerships.' In his presentation, Prof Stanton outlined the historical debates in the United States and further described his vision for multilateral partnerships unified around the pedagogy of social justice. Prof Stanton noted a need to find a "way of talking about this work that more clearly expresses our agendas for our academies." He described Community Engagement as messy and imprecise and discussed strategies to overcome challenges and reform pedagogy.
Another speaker, Dr Samuel Fongwa of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), introduced the concept of Universities as Anchor Institutions and the implications this can have for South African universities. He spoke about the importance of community-driven research and its role in creating equitable societies. He highlighted the need for universities to work collaboratively with communities to develop research projects that address the community's needs.
The symposium also featured panel discussions that focused on specific topics related to community engagement. One panel discussion focused on the development of community engagement, while another focused on the role of community engagement in promoting student leadership.
The symposium was a great success, and participants left feeling inspired and motivated to continue their work in community engagement. The discussions and workshops provided valuable insights and practical tools that will help promote sustainable and equitable societies in South Africa and Africa.