The integration of rural development research and community service

The integration of community service and research is an important subject especially in South Africa, where academics are called upon by the government and the public to contribute to more rapid and equitable development and, particularly for purposes of this contribution, rural development. The generation and application of knowledge should go hand in hand because the process of applying knowledge to real-world situations can itself provide productive challenges and venues for adding to the body of available knowledge. Those concerned with advancing science should appreciate that the knowledge gained in this way has been validated, under realistic conditions, which render the generated knowledge more reliable and relevant.