The Engaged University

Developing University capacity in the SADC towards Participatory Approaches for knowledge production in pursuing the selected SDGs

Announcement:

EngageSDGs is proud to announce the next study visit that will take place at the University of Cork in Ireland from 26-29 May 2026.

The event has a dual purpose:

1.

Case-based learning and validation.  The visit provides a learning immersion hosted by University College Cork (UCC), where partners engage with real-world case studies of participatory approaches and engaged scholarship. The aim is to benchmark, validate, and strengthen EngageSDGs outputs, about the IPF, digital ecosystem, and institutional engagement models, through exposure to applied practice.

2.

Project planning and updates.  The visit also functions as a focused working platform to complete the project, ensuring that all deliverables, milestones, and engagements are finalised, evidenced, and aligned. This includes closing gaps (especially WP6), consolidating outputs, capturing all activities and starting preparations for a coherent, audit-ready final report.

EngageSDGs Integrated Participatory Framework (IPF)

The framework is now available for implementation: engagesdg.softr.app

More Information
View Framework

Our Project

Project Number:

101129394

Start Date:

1 December 2023

Completion Date:

30 November 2026

Programme Management:
SARUA & OBREAL Global

Prof René Pellissier
EngageSDGs Programme manager
SARUA Focus Area Leader: Knowledge Co-Production
rene.pellissier@sarua.africa

6 Project partners (SADC)

4 Project partners (Europe)

Developing university capacity in the SADC towards Participatory Approaches for knowledge production in pursuing the selected SDGs

General Objective

To improve T&L, and assessment in SADC HE by embedding instructional design in digitally-enabled L&T

Outcomes

IPF
Digital ecosystem
Capacity Outcomes

Impact

A SADC network of
universities capacitated in the use of Participatory Approaches towards SDG engagement and implementation, contributing to SADC member state capacity development for sustainable development.

SO1:
To develop a report on the State of Play relating to the use Participatory Approaches in HE in three SADC countries and SADC more widely, to draw attention to their relevance in achieving the SDGs through the HE sector.

SO2:
To develop a conceptual framework, and supporting digital ecosystem, to support decision-making, capacity development and collaboration amongst higher education institutions in the SADC in the use of Participatory Approaches for local engagement.

SO3:
To develop the capacity of HEIs in South Africa, Mauritius and Zambia, and in the SADC more widely, to adopt Participatory Approaches for local engagement.

SO4:
To create a sustainable CoP amongst regional higher education institutions in the SADC for the use of Participatory Approaches in
community-oriented knowledge production.

Analysis

SO1:
To develop a report on the State of Play relating to the use Participatory Approaches in HE in three SADC countries and SADC more widely, so as to draw attention to their relevance in achieving the SDGs through the HE sector.

  1. A situation analysis
  2. Identification of key SADC Stakeholders
  3. Input reports
  4. Approved identification of the selected SDGs

Outcome: Documented &
consulted situation analysis on use of Participatory Approaches within the SADC HEIs,including identification of key stakeholder groups & priority SDGs

Design

SO2:
To develop a conceptual framework, and supporting digital ecosystem, to support decision-making, capacity development and collaboration amongst higher education institutions in the SADC in the use of Participatory Approaches for local engagement

  1. IPF
  2. DAE

Outcome: Digitally-enabled decision-making, capacity development & collaboration environment to support SADC HEIs in implementation of Participatory Approaches for local engagement.

Transformation

SO3:
To develop the capacity of HEIs in South Africa, Mauritius and Zambia, and in the SADC more widely, to adopt Participatory Approaches for local engagement.

  1. Implemented pilot projects
  2. Capacity development programme

Outcome: An implemented capacity development framework to support SADC HEIs in the use of Participatory Approaches for local engagement.

CoP

SO4:
To create a sustainable CoP amongst regional higher education institutions in the SADC for the use of Participatory Approaches in community-oriented knowledge production.

  1. Disseminate findings & insights
  2. Establish sustainable SARUA community of practice

Outcome: An implemented capacity development framework to support SADC HEIs in the use of PAs for local engagement

Consortium Members

Partner institutions in SADC:

Partner institutions in Europe:

Executive Committee
  • René Pellissier
  • Kibrome Mekonnen
  • Elizabeth Colucci
  • Stephen Simukanga
  • Robin Sannassee (SADC)
  • Angel Rafael
SARUA
  • Emanuel Jengwa
  • Sisipho Zweni
  • Lufuno Mbedzi
University College Cork
  • Carina Veeckman
  • Cliona Maher
  • John Barimo
  • Dean Venables
  • Sarah Thelen
  • Verena Tandrayen
Universitat de Barcelona
  • Alejandra Montane
  • Nuria Lorenzo Ramírez
  • Maria Asunción Aneas Álvarez
  • Juan Llanes
  • Judith Muñoz Saavedra
  • Alba Ambrós Pallarés
University of Zambia
  • Ackim Zulu
  • Wilma Nchito
  • Liberty Mweemba
  • Phiri Jackson
  • Gilbert Siame
  • Chongo Kauule
Università di Bologna
  • Alessandra Bonoli
  • Filippo Sartor
  • Martina Santucci
  • Floriana La Marca
  • Stefania Francia
  • Livia Mercatelli
North West University
  • Beatrix Bouwman
  • Lesley Wood
  • Christi Niesing
  • Juanita Schoeman
  • Maribe Mamabolo
University of the Western Cape
  • Jose Frantz 
  • Pearl Erasmus
  • Lumka Mgidigidi
  • Christopher James Shear
  • Althea George
University of Mauritius
  • Dayawantee Goburdhun
  • Mahendra Gooroochurn
  • Krishnee Appadoo
  • Mohammad Santally
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • Franz-Ferdinand Rothe
  • Leo van Audenhove
  • Ilse Marien
  • Bram Lievens
University Technology, Mauritius
  • Sanjeev Bokhoree
  • Toshima Makoondlall-Chadee
  • Vijaya Ramasamy Coolen
University of Lusaka
  • Bowa Kasonde
  • Saviour Chibeti
  • Henry Phiri

Our Methodology

Anticipated outcomes

An Integrated Participatory Framework to support decision-making on the use of Participatory Approaches among university leadership and staff within the SADC HE sector through:

  • A digital academic eco-system to support learning and collaboration amongst HEI in the SADC in the use of Participatory Approaches for local engagement.
  • Implemented pilot projects on the use of Participatory Approaches by the SADC partner institutions.
  • A capacity development programme for HE leadership and staff from 20 HEI in SADC, on the use of Participatory Approaches for local engagement.
  • A sustainable SARUA community of practice for HE engagement.
 
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