Community members' perceptions of higher education institutions' community engagement projects : the case of the WIN platform of the North-West University

Abstract

The research study falls under an umbrella study of the Wellbeing Innovation (WIN) platform which is led by the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) of the North-West University. In a five phased umbrella study, this study was part of phase two which focused on the perceptions of community members of Vaalharts on previous WIN platform projects. In the Kearney Context-Focus-Profile Model it is argued that the community’s perceptions are vital to the development of an effective ‘engagement’. The whole aim of the research was to ensure effective higher education institution-community engagement and it linked with the WIN platform’s desire to achieve a participatory environment for community engagement. The study was motivated by the need to establish community members’ perceptions on the implementation of the WIN platform. There was a concern that the projects could have been experienced as top-down in nature. This would mean that the community’s perceptions and views about their social issues were not taken into consideration when developing strategies for community engagement projects and so lacking collaboration and participation. It was largely the project team who decided on social issues (Well-being, Nutrition etc.) without fully consulting the community members of Vaalharts. In view of this a study to evaluate the community members’ perceptions on the projects were viewed as necessary and important. This study attempted to contribute to this need. The research study used an exploratory qualitative design, which relies on perceptions and thoughts of individuals, to fully understand community members of Vaalharts region as they shared their own personal experiences in WIN platform projects. The study was carried out at three locations: Sekhing, Pampierstad and Jan Kempdorp in the Vaalharts region. The literature study revealed principles for effective community engagement which were used to evaluate previous projects of the WIN platform, such as participation, collaboration, informing and consulting, human capital, empowerment, reciprocity, and mutuality. They were used as tools in the research study to evaluate and encourage effective community engagement in previous and future WIN platform projects. The findings indicated that projects were implemented interactively and the participants were satisfied with how some of the projects were implemented. The participants indicated that there was empowerment and encouragement of human capital. The community mentioned that they did not have the skills and knowledge. The findings also indicated that there were some challenges experienced relating to the projects. In some of the projects there was a lack of collaboration, reciprocity and mutuality, which influenced community participation and therefore the relevant needs of the community were not fully addressed. Feedback was that the projects do have a positive impact on the community but do not address the fundamental need for employment. The findings also indicated that the implementation of projects was successful in the community but can be improved with more interaction, monitoring and evaluation. Projects ensured participation but it can be improved with more applicable communication and ensuring there is clarity on the objectives of the projects. These findings can positively influence the future development of the WIN platform strategies for community engagement. These findings can also be used by other organisations that want to develop strategies for effective community engagement