Sustainable Development and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
The mission of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) embraces the concept of community engagement. This mission is concomitant with the national education policy documents such as the NCHE report that called for increased participation, greater responsiveness and increased cooperation and partnership as well as criteria set out by the HEQC.
Within this context the University has made a commitment to growing its Community Engagement practice. Evidence of this commitment is found in its mission statement, strategic plan and its financial projections.
The quality of its Community Engagement (CE) provision is directly linked to the University’s reputation. A strong Community Engagement (CE) component demonstrates to the market this University’s commitment to community development and engagement. It also serves to promote its entire educational provision. Community Engagement provision is an activity that complements the University’s core teaching and learning and research activities and adds another dimension to the VUT profile.
Because of the contact it creates between the University and its external environment as well as helping to place University in the midst of practice in society, Community Engagement is strongly encourage in all aspects of the University’s business and appropriately recognized in relevant policies e.g., Research Policy.
Through its Community Engagement provision, a significant opportunity for the university staff to interact with the community as professions.
A multidisciplinary collaborative initiative between academic staff from VUT’s Human Resources Management (HRM) department lead by Prof. C Marais and Dr. K du Bruyn (Gold Fields Library) joined forces in 2022, culminating in a well-resourced adult literacy facility available to all residents. This project supports lifelong learning while it is also aligned with the United Nations’ global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
