Models for University Engagement with Private and Public Sector Employers
DOWNLOADJune 1, 2014 - John B. Kaneene, Johann Kirsten, Anthony Mugisha and John David Kabasa
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This study compares models for university engagement with private and public sector
employers in Africa. It compares engagement models in countries with more developed food
systems (South Africa) and a sample of selected African countries with less developed food
systems - Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Senegal. The study was conducted in two parts.
Part one consisted of desk top review of the available literature in order to identify the
available engagement models and development of a conceptual framework for engagement,
and part two consisted of conducting structured interviews with selected private agricultural
companies and public employers.
The results show no single dominant model of AET engagement. Models of AET
engagement with employers vary with the type of company (local vs. international) and
university (research intensive vs primarily teaching). The top three models of engagement
were: 1) students internships, 2) integrated student service learning, and 3) student
volunteering. In South Africa, professional associations play a significant role in developing
the content of the curricula.
