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ISSUE 5, DECEMBER 2017

CONTENTS

• Message from Director of Community Engagement Unit (CEU)

• Community Engagement

• (CE) Colloquium 2017

• Academic Achievers’ Ceremony

• Outstanding Alumni Awards

• Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

• Social Work

• UWC Nature Reserve

• Announcements & Events

• Papers & Publications

“Don't work for recognition, but do work worthy of recognition” - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

The CEU is committed to building partnerships with all our stakeholders internally, externally, locally, nationally and globally. We base these partnerships on respect, equity, relevance, responsiveness and ultimately sustainability. Stephan Covey (1999)1 in his book the ‘7 habits of highly effective people’, identifies the habit of synergy which resonates with sustainable partnerships. This habit is constructed on the principles of creative cooperation and the process is based on a spirit of adventure, discovery and creativity. Therefore, the development of synergies createnew innovative opportunities and possibilities.

Recognition of the value that each stakeholder brings to the partnership is of vital importance since everyone is important and matters. In a team we want to have enough individuality to ensure freedom and agency to pursue the creative work necessary to ensure a spirit of innovation. This should be augmented by recognition for the value each partner adds. The DVC Academic, Prof Lawack and the CEU hosted the CE Colloquium “(RE) Thinking and (RE) Creating CE“ at UWC, on the 30th and 31st October 2017. The colloquium provided the opportunity to showcase CE

and examples of active citizenry at UWC by staff, students and partners. The presentations and discussions highlighted that the culture of engagement that is part of the DNA of UWC is focused on respecting the various contributions of different partners in the facilitation of UWC´s commitment to its vision and mission as an engaged institution.

That is why in this newsletter we are showcasing some of the CE projects of colleagues, students and their partners in the RPL programme, Social Work and the UWC Nature Reserve. We are also highlighting the Academic Achievers Award held by the DVC Academic for excellence in learning and teaching and CE, as well as the Chancellor´s Outstanding Alumni Awards where our colleagues in community engagement were recognised for their excellent scholarship of engagement.

The awards is an important step in creating a culture of appreciation which creates the opportunity for colleagues and their partners to be recognised for excellent work done by academics and their partners by their peers as well as the executive leadership of the university. We are encouraged by the efforts of the DVC Academic: Prof Lawack to recognise the scholarship of engagement and to facilitate its integration into learning and teaching and research as one of the three pillars of academic excellence at the university.

MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR OF CEU

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

CE @ UWC

Community Engagement Colloquium 2017

(1) Covey, S. R. (1999). Living the 7 habits: stories of courage and inspiration. Simon and Schuster.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (CE) COLLOQUIUM 2017 (RE)THINKING AND (RE) CREATING CE

On day two Prof Priscilla Daniels gave a brief summary of the early origins of CE at UWC, its’ antecedents and status. The message was clear that CE includes on-campus community, as well as other communities of practice, which is inclusive of partnerships, networking and the need to move away from working in silos. The message of day two was appropriately aligned with the theme of the day whereby the different faculties and units showcased the various CE projects. Later, the day ended with the session on courageous conversations to distil principles for CE and the values these principles are based on.

Courageous Conversations

The CE Colloquium was held over two days on the 30th & 31st of October 2017 and was attended by one hundred and ten participants, which included alumnus, academics, students,

community members and other stakeholders. The theme of the colloquium was “(Re) Thinking and (Re) Creating CE”. The focus of the colloquium was to explore engagement at the University of the Western Cape in partnership with stakeholders and to encourage critical reflection within a South African context.

Prof Vivienne Lawack further contextualised what it meant to be an engaged university by saying the following “So the way that we should engage is model where we integrate that engagement with our learning and teaching; we think about community, our communities, we think about curriculum, and we think about our communities when we think about research”. The keynote address was provided by Prof Hennie van As on Contextualising

Engagement through innovation within the context of research, teaching, and community. The theme for the first day of the colloquium was Partnership, Funding and the role of Social Media in Engagement. A poster showcase of UWC initiatives was present on both days of the colloquium. In addition, the Community Engagement Unit (CEU) launched the database report, which reported on various types of partnerships, their geographical location and the monetary value of the different engagements.

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The inauguration of the Academic Achievers’ Ceremony was held on the 29 November 2017, at Lagoon Beach Hotel, Milnerton. Prof. Vivienne Lawack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic opened the inauguration of the event, which was followed by the awards ceremony. Prof Vivienne Lawack has to be commended for initiating the Academic Achievers

Awards. This prestigious event serves to publically recognise and reward academic and professional support staff for their excellent contribution to learning, leaching and community engagement.

The engagement awards recognises individuals and teams who did outstanding contributions to advancing infusion of engagement into learning and teaching, research and scholarship. Prof. Moenieba Isaacs, director of PLAAS received the individual award for excellence in engagement. The engagement excellence team award was presented to Prof. Angeni Bheekie, Dr Renier Coetzee and & Dr Mea van Huyssteen from School of Pharmacy. The Director of Science Learning Centre for Africa (SLCA), Prof. Shaheed Hartley, received the special award at institutional level for learning, teaching and community engagement.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVERS’ CEREMONY

CHANCELLOR'S DINNER AND OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARDS

The Chancellor’s Outstanding Alumni Awards 2017 was held on 28 November in Bishopscourt. This prestigious event serves to honour some of our most deserving alumni who have used what they learned at UWC to contribute to their fields of study and towards nation building. The programme director for the evening was Clarence Ford from Heart FM. Prof. Tyrone

Pretorius, did the welcoming on behalf of the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The keynote speaker was Chancellor of UWC, Archbishop Dr Thabo Makgobo. Two of the of the Outstanding Alumni Awards were presented to academics currently working at the university, Prof. Shaheed Hartley and Prof. Alan Christoffels. Prof. Shaheed Hartley for his engagement in training science educators and the construction of science labs in the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape. Prof. Alan Christoffels received the award for pioneering international academic research efforts in bioinformatics and human health.

(Left to right) Prof. Shaheed Hartley & Archbishop Dr Thabo Makgobo

(Left to right top) Dr Renier Coetzee, Ms Tracey Adonis,Ms Damaris Kiewiets & Prof Priscilla Daniels.

(Left to right bottom) Prof. Angeni Bheekie & Dr Mea van Huyssteen

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Lifelong learning is both a philosophy and an approach, which offers flexible, convenient, relevant opportunities and curricula that promote lifelong learning. Recognising prior learning is a way to

widen access and open new pathways into formal education and work-based training. It is designed for people who do not meet the formal entry-level requirements for university but may have the knowledge and skills required to cope at university. The provision for RPL programmes and services at UWC is grounded in the principles and practices of adult education and the sociology of knowledge. Successful RPL candidates are in principle able to access study across all the faculties at UWC.

The community benefits from the provision of information and advice on study opportunities at UWC. Since 2001, RPL has received over 11000 applications and approximately 2000 people seek information or advice about RPL in person, telephonically or via email annually. In 2016, there were approximately 1100 applicants who attended the three-hour “learning conversation” as indicated by Alan Ralphs. Close to fifty percent of the applicants, was short- listed for the preselection process and in 2017 seventy-three applicants were successful in participating in the Portfolio Development Course (PDC) and sixty-one applicants proceeded to the Tests for Access and Placement (TAP).

The PDC consists of workshop sessions and its primary purpose is to assist participants in developing and compiling a learning portfolio, which will demonstrate that the individual can function at the academic level. These portfolios are submitted to the relevant faculties for assessment. The PDC equip participants with the necessary tools to navigate the boundaries between experiential learning and formal education. TAP tests assess literacy and numeracy skills and if the participant achieves fifty percent and over, then he or she will be considered for admission by one of the faculties. Very often participants with post-school experience prefer the PDC because they can demonstrate what they have learned through their experience, whereas younger candidates prefer the TAP route.

Since the establishment of RPL over 600 students have studied at UWC. Successful RPL participants become role models for others, while graduates plough back their knowledge and skills into family, community and society.

The Department of Social Work is committed to ensuring that its curricula are aligned with social justice, gender equity, human diversity and issues of citizenship. These values are also pursued in its community initiatives. The department has formed partnerships with various agencies, which offer students opportunities for fieldwork education, and in return, the

students render social work services at these agencies. Students gain experience in the field while integrating the scholarship of theory and practice.

Second-Year Fieldwork ProgrammeThe second-year fieldwork initiative is a structured engagement, which is a requirement as part of the curriculum fieldwork practice. Second year social work students are placed in schools in Gugulethu and Manenberg. Learners from these schools who face challenges are referred to the programme. They receive psychosocial support and other interventions are put in place to assist these learners. In addition, the social work students with assistance from the relevant stakeholders work on awareness campaigns, which focus on relevant issues such as gangsterism, truancy and substance abuse.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)

SOCIAL WORK

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Fourth year social work engagementThis engagement forms part of the curriculum of fourth year students’ final year. These placements take place during the second semester from July to October each year. The students are expected to work as interns at various organisations. The internship is the practical implementation of the theory, which students have gained throughout the degree programme. This year one of the initiatives was “Awareness on support, resources and understanding carers of mentally ill patients”. Two fourth year social work students, Khuselwa Nqabeni and Nonelwa Ngcingane, with guidance from their agency supervisor, coordinated this campaign. Their placement was at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital and the aim of the project was to provide awareness on the issues of mental illness. The students realised there was a need for an awareness campaign when an assessment conducted revealed that family members and carers of service users did not have the necessary information or resources to provide adequate care for the service user when they return home.

The event was held on the 14 October at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital and other agencies were invited to participate in the event as well. The two fourth year students, Khuselwa and Nonelwa addressed the audience on the growing need for care of patients with mental illness in relation to treatment, resources, counselling and family group support. The event provided positive feedback from attendees, which communicated, that the event raised awareness on issues related to support, resources and better understanding of issues related to mental illness.

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The Cape Flats Nature Reserve is a private reserve, which falls under the administration of the University of the Western Cape. First established as a refuge for Strandveld and Coastal Fynbos, it is now a core botanical site on the Cape Flats. Therefore, this reserve should be conserved for its uniqueness, which affords visitors the opportunity to experience the

original Cape Flats vegetation. There are around 220 indigenous plant species and a hosts a variety of animals, including tortoise, mongoose, a variety of reptiles and insects, and dozens of species of birds. Currently, the reserve is used as a base for teaching about ecology, environmental education and research, as well as offering a natural space for the public to enjoy.

Outreach Greening ProgrammeThe Outreach Greening Programme was established to miniature Fynbos nature reserves and gardens in the areas adjoining the UWC-Cape Flats Nature Reserve. The programme promotes awareness of the unique indigenous Cape Flora and encourages people in the local communities to beautify their surrounding open spaces. In this way, the project reconnects people in the urban areas with their natural environment.

Environmental EducationThe environmental education programme is tailor-made for the UWC community, local schools and organisations. Many local schools participate in this programme, which includes a PowerPoint presentation, followed by a guided walk around the reserve. During the walk, participants are shown some of the ecological processes in action. The walk through the reserve often reconnects learners who often grow up in a largely urbanised environment back with the natural environment. Furthermore, the Cape Flats Nature Reserve serves as an excellent outdoor classroom through which visitors can gain an understanding and appreciation of the ecology of the Cape’s natural habitat.

Research SupportThe Nature Reserve complements the academic programmes of the university through fieldwork, practical teaching and research guidance. Several staff and students are involved in active research programmes at the reserve. The unit offers interns and students the chance to acquire important skills and practical experience in biodiversity and conservation. In addition, it accommodates researchers who are looking for suitable sites in the reserve for their research. Lastly, it provides research material, including an updated photo library, and assistance with plant identification.

Photo WalksThe nature reserve offers photo walks through the reserve, which allows staff, students, and all interested a much needed break in nature from a busy work/study environment. In turn, these activities help build the Reserve’s photographic library.

UWC NATURE RESERVE

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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

1st International Conference of Multidisciplinary Engagement, London, United Kingdom, 15 - 17 January 2018. https://www.papercrowd.com/c/1st-international-conference-of- multidisciplinary-engagement-/2233

The 18th International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement Annual Conference, JW Marriott, New Orleans, LA, July 18-20 2018. http://www.researchslce.org/conferences/

The 7th International Community Psychology Conference will be held on 5, 6 AND 7 October 2018 in Santiago, Chile. The headquarter will be the Campus Juan Gomez Milla of the University of Chile, located in Las Palmeras. http://www.cipc2018chile.cl/modalidades-de- trabajo/?lang=en#presentacion_libros

5th International Symposium on Service Learning, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), 25th to 28th September 2018. http://conferences.sun.ac.za/index.php/issl/NFFF2018/index

RECENT PUBLICATIONS IN CE

• Bagnall, A. M. (2017). Approaches to community engagement in health promotion practice in the UK Anne-Marie Bagnall. European Journal of Public Health, 27(suppl_3).

• Chen, S., Darbandi, D., Deng, A., Dimatulac, A., & Massooleh, S. (2017). Going for green: achieving global leadership in sustainability through innovation and community engagement.

• Goodman, M. S., Thompson, V. L. S., Arroyo Johnson, C., Gennarelli, R., Drake, B. F., Bajwa, P. & Bowen, D. (2017). Evaluating community engagement in research: quantitative measure development. Journal of Community Psychology, 45(1), 17-32.

• Kaufman, A., Rhyne, R. L., Anastasoff, J., Ronquillo, F., Nixon, M., Mishra, S., ... & Larson, R. S. (2017). Health extension and clinical and translational science: an innovative strategy for community engagement. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 30(1), 94-99.

• Larson, K. C. (2017). Film as transformative learning: A case study on civics education through cultural study. Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education, 9(1).

• Quenichet, K., Antonini, A., Iacono, T. T., & King, K. M. (2017). The Community Engagement Academy: A Community-Campus Partnership Project to Improve Community Health and Academic Use of a Local Park. KAHPERD Journal, 54(2).

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The Community Engagement Unit invites you to submit short articles to be published in the next newsletter.

The community engagement article should not be more than one page in length.

Contact person: Pearl Email: pseptemberbrown@uwc.ac.za

General enquiry: Telephone: (021) 959 3124 Fax: (021) 959 2689 e-mail: ahellenberg@uwc.ac.za

Postal Address: Community Engagement Unit University of Western Cape Private Bag X17 Bellville 7535

Physical address: Community Engagement Unit Prefab OK University of the Western Cape Robert Sobukwe Road Bellville 7535

Website http://www.uwc.ac.za/CE/Pages/default.aspx

Copyright © *|2017|* *|UWCCEU|*, All rights reserved.

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION(Policies, Mission, Ethos, etc, which GUIDE engagement)

SustainableCommunities

Partnership & Citizenry

Facilitation / Promotion

Monitoring and EvaluationScholarship of research

Scholarship of integration

Scholarship of Theory andPractice

Scholarship of Application

Scholarship of Engagement

SCHOLARSHIP MODEL OF THE CEU (adapted from Boyer, 2008)

Do YOU Have A

Story To Publish?