Busiswa Lutshaba | Abstracts: Community Engagement in Higher Education

Higher education (HE) graduates are faced with increased unemployment. Furthermore, if graduates are not technologically skilled, this restricts their potential to add value to future employers. A majority of academic programme modules do not incorporate workplace readiness. To bridge this gap, community engagement can make a significant contribution. Students can be mentored by stakeholders while they gain practical skills that will give them an advantage as they seek employment after graduation. Churches, the non-profit sector, corporates and the government can potentially nurture students as they transition from their academia to the real world.

The discussion focuses on the integration of community engagement initiatives into HE curriculums. It explores how these initiatives can complement academic learning by providing students with practical, real-world experience and skills that enhance their employability and ability to create their own employment opportunities post-graduation.

#cornerstoneinstitute #education #higherlearning