Priscilla S Daniels, Tracey-Ann Adonis and Karin Benjamin TWK
PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATION OF 10 YEARS NETHERLANDS, 16 JUNE 2014
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INTRODUCTION Higher education institutions operate in a global
environment HEIs commit to internationalisation as they realise
that contemporary challenges relating to several spheres of social,
economic and health development cannot be addressed without
consideration of the global perspective 2
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BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT A community request from Directorate
of Community Services in the Theewaterskloof municipality graduate
from UWC (10 years ago) Requested placement of Community and Health
Science students with aim of assisting the Directorate in achieving
its deliverables in the services sector Visiting delegation from
Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen at UWC also interested in placing
students in this rural area. Model of partnership was envisioned
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BACKGROUND x Netherlands South Africa Theewaterskloof
Municipality 4
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COMMONALITIES BETWEEN HAN AND UWC University of the Western
Cape Institutional Operating Plan Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen
Mission Internationalisation at home give students holistic
experiences Intercultural experience International activities and
student exchange Encourage students to experience other cultures.
Extension of knowledge through education and professional training
Provide an education that is both practical and relevant to the
field. Training of students to drive the transformation process in
South Africa Recognises the importance to contribute to the
development of society Sense making through leadership and
development Emphasis on development Research and
innovationEntrepreneurship and innovation 5
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THE TWK PROGRAM Collaborative international partnership model
HEI from developed country (NETHERLANDS), 2 universities (UWC &
CPUT) and a community college (ELF) from a developmental state
(SOUTH AFRICA) TWK municipality the main beneficiary (we recognise
the benefits for the educational institutions) and the key
deliverables of the TWK Program are aligned with the Integrated
Development Plan of the municipality Monitoring and evaluation
Sustainable Partnership development = important aspect 6
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OFFICIAL GOALS OF THE TWK Project To implement/Initiate
projects to improve the quality of lives and to alleviate poverty
local communities within Theewaterskloof, To transfer skills and to
add additional capacity to the municipality, To enhance the
capacity of students and expose them to multi cultural communities
through service learning, That as far as possible the IDP should
inform the projects initiated through this partnership 7
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CORE COMPONENTS OF THEEWATERSKLOOF IDP HEALTH AND
WELFAREHOUSING COMMUNITY SAFETYART AND CULTURE SPORT AND
RECREATIONTRAINING AND EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TOURISM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTBUSINESS PROMOTION 8
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RESEARCH QUESTION What strategy/ies of partnership development
in the TWK partnership project was/were most effective in equipping
the students with a unique intercultural experience that benefitted
the TWK municipality in accordance with the IDP deliverables of
this municipality? 9
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RESEARCH APPROACH (1) Qualitative Research Paradigm
Ethnographic CASE STUDY Design o To gain insight into the
perceptions of the partners o To provide an in-depth description of
this particular partnership The form of reasoning was inductive as
we worked without any set notion of inquiry 10
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A purposeful sample of partners in the TWK project was selected
which included TWK municipality representatives, HAN & UWC
academics, students & area fieldworkers The value systems of
the partners were acknowledged in the research process. Some of the
limitations of this study were that the results from this case
study are only a representation of this sample partnership as well
as the inductive reasoning process however the results from this
process could lead to further intensive research on this
partnership. RESEARCH APPROACH (2) 11
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DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS Unstructured interviews
Observations Reports, minutes of meetings Site visits Student
reflection A grounded theory approach A grounded theory approach
was utilised in the data analysis. Inferential validity and
reliability of the data was ensured by data triangulation of data
gathering tools 12
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ANALYSIS THEMES AND KEY RESULTS (1) THEME 1: International
Collaboration to benefit communities, universities and students Add
value through the student service learning to the existing rural
community development initiatives and the Integrated Development
Plan in the towns of the TWK Municipality. Encourage, assist and
participate in research and advocacy initiatives in the area with
the collaboration and approval of the local stake-holders. 13
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ANALYSIS THEMES AND KEY RESULTS (2) THEME 2: Strategic
partnerships are guided by strategic processes The results are
overseen during a regular workshop attended by the TWK Mayor,
Municipal Manager and other affected senior officials as well as
representatives of the partners in Civil Society. It is important
to share expectations from the beginning and to prime a good
communication process. Finding a common goal. Sharing values and
principles. Agreeing on the role and responsibilities of each party
and respecting such separate roles and responsibilities. Equal
partners and mutual benefit should be present. Partners need to
recognise that they need each other. Strong emphasis on project
management and a structured and organised relationship. 14
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ANALYSIS THEMES AND KEY RESULTS (3) THEME 3: Lessons learnt
through engagement This project should never stop because however
small contribution we make to this program makes a big difference
in the lives of those who desperately need the assistance of the
students and this program. A sound working arrangement is required
and goodwill between the parties are not enough. Obviously
relationship management is also critical you need to share value,
principles, expectations, and respect. There must be accountability
and any possibility that each others time and resources will be
wasted should be avoided. Celebrate success but also be honest and
truthful about problems and failure and deal with it. It is simply
a matter now of maintaining the current good results. Improved
coordination between council and HAN projects should however be
explored It is important to have understanding of and respect for
each others differences in cultures and it is important to manage
relations as well. 15
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DISCUSSION 16
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DISCUSSION Mediation and improved communication and information
sharing resulted in an open and transparent process that was based
on consultative processes and resulted in collaborative planning,
action and was guided by the TWK municipality in collaboration with
the project management team. (Though there was a MOU there were
implementation challenges and through trial and error clarity of
roles emerged). The process of clarification didnt happen
immediately and strengthened the partnership through several
strategic planning sessions, new MOUs were developed, feedback and
continuous monitoring and evaluation was identified as a strong
component. Partnerships between HEIs reduce risks, sharing of
financial costs and tap local influence and expertise As the office
is now located in the TWK municipality, the partnership is an
infused principle of community needs directed by the municipality
through the IDP 17
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RECOMMENDATIONS There should be ample opportunities for
communication and a structure of communication must be developed so
that role players and partners are informed at every step of the
project. Regular meetings with all role players are therefore
required. Management structures need to work in order to facilitate
the development and progress of the partnership project. These need
to be put in place and a set time for management meetings need to
occur. There should be training in service-learning for all
community, academic and services partners so that there is a shared
understanding of the collaborative process and purposes for the
partnership. Clarification of roles of each partner should be
collaboratively developed and agreed upon. Decision making should
be transparent in order to maintain trust relationship in
partnerships. A facilitator is necessary that mediates the cultural
differences 18
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CONCLUSION "I don't believe in charity. I believe in
solidarity. Charity is vertical, so it's humiliating. It goes from
the top to the bottom. Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the
other and learns from the other. I have a lot to learn from other
people." - Eduardo Galeano Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is
the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead 19