A community engagement (CE) indaba was recently held by the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law (FCAL) at the University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) Richards Bay Campus, the goal of which was to promote collaboration between FCAL academics and surrounding communities.
The Indaba was attended by FCAL academics including Professor Lorraine Greyling, FCAL Dean, and Professor Makhosazana Vezi-Magigaba, Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning.
The programme entailed presentations during which faculty members updated each other on all their community engagement initiatives.
Impressed by the work that had been done within FCAL, Prof Greyling said: “We want every person in our University, every student in this University to understand that you have a responsibility to people around you. I therefore really embrace [this culture] that we have in the University of Africanisation and [driving the agenda of being established as a] node for African thought.”
Among the projects that were presented was the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), ENACTUS and Social Economy Development Programme.
Dr Ayansola Ayandibu, who presented on EDHE, described the intended impact of the project as equipping every student and graduate for economic participation through entrepreneurial activity, with an emphasis on student women. Part of its objectives is supporting academics across disciplines to develop entrepreneurship through teaching, learning and research and supporting universities as entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystems, which include relevant policy development.
Another effective CE project is ENACTUS, an international non-profit organisation that engages students, academics, and business leaders in using entrepreneurial action for social impact. Enactus’ mission is to empower student leaders to develop community projects worldwide, fostering leadership skills and transformative experiences.
Being a part of Enactus exposes students to how the real world works and empowers one to think and act innovatively. It gives students a competitive advantage over their peers, and they become more acknowledgeable about global occurrences.
The Social Economy Development Programme which Prof Sheunesu Zhou and Dr Ayansola Ayandibu are a part of, is another successful project. Through this multistakeholder project, the two academics impart essential knowledge and skills to select social entrepreneurs. At the end of the yearlong training, the entrepreneurs attend Demo Day where they present their business ideas. The said exercise is meant to afford each participant an opportunity to pitch their ideas before all stakeholders while also being exposed to the practice of networking.
Prof Vezi-Magigaba acknowledged all participants and attendees of the Indaba. She urged the assistant lecturers to take part in community engagement projects while they are still seeking permanent employment. Prof Magigaba also extended her gratitude to Prof Greyling for giving the faculty a platform for sharing information and exchanging ideas.
“I want us to take a step further, let us not just shine here, let us shine at the university level, let us shine nationally because these projects that we are doing they are not only benefiting the University of Zululand, but they are benefiting the nation. My plea to you let us document these projects we are doing,” she pleaded.
– Sbahle Dumakude
Pictures: Xolani Ncube
