University Hosts Community Engagement Indaba to Strengthen Town-and-Gown Partnerships

The Department of Adult and Education Foundations under the Faculty of Education hosted a Community Engagement Indaba at the Mthatha Health Resource Centre on 12 November 2025. The event, themed “Promoting Collaboration Between Communities and the University Through a Needs-Based Approach,” gathered academics, students, and community representatives to strengthen partnerships rooted in education, research, and service.

What Happened

The Indaba created a shared platform for dialogue on how universities and communities can collaborate more effectively to address pressing local challenges. Participants explored strategies for aligning academic work with community needs, ensuring that educational research and outreach have tangible social impact.

Community leaders, educators, and students contributed ideas on building sustainable partnerships, emphasizing that meaningful collaboration requires inclusivity and respect. The discussions focused on breaking down barriers between academia and society, encouraging mutual learning and shared responsibility.

Official Response

Organizers from the Department of Adult and Education Foundations described the Indaba as a milestone toward reshaping how universities interact with surrounding communities.

Department representatives noted that the initiative aligns with the University of Fort Hare’s broader goal of promoting inclusive education and social transformation through community-based research.

“Our objective is to create learning spaces that empower both students and communities,” said a faculty member. “True engagement means listening, learning, and co-creating solutions.”

Community Impact

The Indaba’s outcomes are expected to inform future community engagement frameworks for universities in the Eastern Cape. By placing local communities at the heart of university programs, the event reinforced the principle of Ubuntu—that shared humanity and cooperation are vital to sustainable progress.

Participants agreed that such engagements should not end in dialogue but lead to joint projects, skills development, and research initiatives that directly benefit communities.