Measuring impact and contributions of South African universities in communities: The case of the North-West University

Autor: Hendri Coetzee, Werner Nell
Přispěvatelé: 12894451 - Coetzee, Hendrik Christiaan, 10725385 - Nell, Hermann Werner
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Development Southern Africa. 35:774-790
ISSN: 1470-3637
0376-835X
DOI: 10.1080/0376835x.2018.1475218
Popis: Using the North-West University (NWU) as a case study, this article argues for and demonstrates the value of empirically assessing the impact of universities on their communities. A cross-sectional survey design (n = 984) was used to investigate the NWUs impact on three different communities, as well as to empirically assess the needs of these communities. Results suggest that community-based projects and services, work-integrated learning activities, and, to a lesser extent, the quantity and quality of a university's graduate students, as well as initiatives such as science and engineering weeks, open days, sports weeks, and botanical gardens likely represent the most powerful and viable avenues for universities to achieve impact in their communities, especially when such endeavours are specifically tailored to community needs. The findings also suggest that universities’ outputs do not necessarily equate with or guarantee impact, and that impact is optimised when outreach activities are based on the actual needs of communities
Databáze: OpenAIRE
Externí odkaz:
Nepřihlášeným uživatelům se plný text nezobrazuje