Putting the horse before the cart: policy research, partnerships and community service
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Marais, Lochner
Botes, Lucius
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: As a result of the way in which community service (CS) partnerships are structured, these partnerships may be dominated by universities, which in some cases become too involved in the operational side of addressing community needs. This article briefly assesses community service learning, action research and CS partnerships. The two research partnerships of the Centre for Development Support are then described and lessons from these case studies are identified. The main lesson is that CS partnerships should be reassessed. It is proposed that a university does not have to be directly involved, as an implementation agency, in order to address the socio-economic realities of our society. The possibility of linking such partnerships with accredited student learning is pointed out, along with the importance of conducting research that is relevant to the socio-economic realities in South Africa, and the fact that CS and the entrepreneurial route are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Afrikaans: Samelewingsdiensvennootskappe tussen gemeenskappe en universiteite kan maklik deur die laasgenoemde gedomineer word sodat universiteite in sommige gevalle te veel aan die operasionele kant van sodanige vennootskappe betrokke is. Om hierdie argument te motiveer, word samelewingsdiensleer, aksienavorsing en vennootskappe kortliks bespreek. Die twee navorsingsvennootskappe van die Sentrum vir Ontwikkel- ingsteun word dan bespreek en bepaalde lesse word geïdentifiseer. Die belangrikste les is dat samelewingsdiensvennootskappe nie van universiteite blote implementerings- agente van samelewingsdiens hoef te maak nie. Die moontlikheid om die vennootskappe met geakkrediteerde leer van studente te verbind en dat samelewingsleer en ’n meer entrepreneuriese benadering nie noodwendig in konflik hoef te wees nie, word ook bespreek.
Afrikaans: Samelewingsdiensvennootskappe tussen gemeenskappe en universiteite kan maklik deur die laasgenoemde gedomineer word sodat universiteite in sommige gevalle te veel aan die operasionele kant van sodanige vennootskappe betrokke is. Om hierdie argument te motiveer, word samelewingsdiensleer, aksienavorsing en vennootskappe kortliks bespreek. Die twee navorsingsvennootskappe van die Sentrum vir Ontwikkel- ingsteun word dan bespreek en bepaalde lesse word geïdentifiseer. Die belangrikste les is dat samelewingsdiensvennootskappe nie van universiteite blote implementerings- agente van samelewingsdiens hoef te maak nie. Die moontlikheid om die vennootskappe met geakkrediteerde leer van studente te verbind en dat samelewingsleer en ’n meer entrepreneuriese benadering nie noodwendig in konflik hoef te wees nie, word ook bespreek.
Description
Keywords
Policy research, Community service, Partnerships, South Africa
Citation
Marais, L., & Botes, L. (2005). Putting the horse before the cart: policy research, partnerships and community service. Acta Academica, (Supplemenumt 3), 178-202.