ACCESS UFS
Active Community Citizens through Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability — the flagship Student Affairs engaged scholarship programme, built on three themes and a living network of student communities of care.
A programme, a movement, a way of being
ACCESS UFS is the flagship engaged scholarship programme of the Division of Student Affairs. It positions students not as passive recipients of knowledge, but as active community citizens — co-creators of solutions, knowledge, and care.
Through action learning, communities of care, and co-created knowledge, ACCESS UFS weaves together student development, community engagement, and social impact across three interconnected themes.
Mission
To cultivate active community citizens through engaged scholarship that connects student learning with community need.
Vision
A university where every student is an architect of social impact — engaged, empowered, and equipped to co-create.
Research Questions
How does student-led community engagement shape active citizenship and civic identity at UFS?
What role do communities of care play in student development, wellbeing, and belonging?
How can co-created knowledge between the university and communities inform sustainability and social justice?
In what ways does experiential, action-based learning transform the student experience and outcomes?
Three themes, one ecosystem of impact
ACCESS UFS is organised around three interconnected themes, each aligned with UFS strategic frameworks and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Environmental Affairs
Sustainability, biodiversity, and ecological stewardship as pathways to active environmental citizenship.
Aligned with the UFS Sustainability Strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 11–15).
Health & Wellbeing
Holistic wellness — physical, mental, and social — as the foundation for student thriving and community care.
Aligned with the UFS Student Wellbeing Framework and SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).
Social Justice for Impact
Equity, dignity, and rights — empowering students to build just and inclusive communities through dialogue and action.
Aligned with the UFS Social Justice Strategy and SDGs 5, 10, and 16.
Champions, researchers, and co-creators
The Action Learning Group drives the intellectual and practical heart of ACCESS UFS — connecting champions, community-based research, and the Global University for Lifelong Learning.
Dr. Refilwe Sithole
Theme Champion — Environmental Affairs
Lecturer in Environmental Science with a passion for student-led sustainability. Leads the biodiversity and earth-building initiatives at the Edu-Village.
Mr. Kagiso Mokoena
Theme Champion — Health & Wellbeing
Student Affairs practitioner focused on residence-based wellbeing circles and mental health advocacy across campus communities.
Prof. Anneke Vermeulen
Theme Champion — Social Justice for Impact
Sociologist and community-engaged researcher. Champions dialogue, rights-based advocacy, and co-created knowledge with community partners.
CBR for Students
Community-Based Research (CBR) for Students equips students with the skills to conduct ethical, participatory research alongside community partners — turning inquiry into action and evidence into impact.
GULL
The Global University for Lifelong Learning (GULL) pathway recognises and certifies the learning students gain through community engagement — bridging formal study and lived experience into a lifelong learning journey.
Where students belong, lead, and care
Communities of care are the connective tissue of ACCESS UFS — the spaces where students gather, support one another, and turn citizenship into practice.
Residences
Residence-based communities of care where students live, learn, and lead together through wellbeing circles and citizenship programmes.
Commuters
Support structures and engagement pathways for non-resident students, ensuring belonging and participation beyond the campus walls.
Student Organisations & Associations
Clubs, societies, and associations that channel student energy into organised community engagement and social impact.
Faculty Student Councils & Professional Associations
Faculty-level student leadership bodies connecting disciplinary knowledge to community need through service learning and advocacy.
Citizenship Programme
A structured pathway that guides students through levels of civic engagement — from awareness to active co-creation.
COIL Networks
Collaborative Online International Learning networks connecting UFS students with global peers on shared sustainability challenges.
Service Learning
Curriculum-integrated community engagement that embeds real-world impact into academic courses across faculties.
CONE Networks
Community of Practice networks that connect engaged scholars, practitioners, and students for shared learning and action.
A calendar of action and gathering
Throughout the year, ACCESS UFS hosts programmes, dialogues, and events that bring communities of care together — from summits to harvest festivals.
Upcoming Events
ACCESS UFS Welcome & Orientation
Communities of Care Summit
Edu-Village Harvest Festival
Action Learning Group Symposium
How to get involved
- Join a community of care in your residence or faculty
- Attend an Action Learning Group session
- Volunteer for an upcoming event or programme
- Propose a co-created project with a community partner
ACCESS Member Dashboard
Already a member? Check in for sessions and track your participation.
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