Fostering Sustainability through Innovative Pedagogies: Faculty Community Engagement at one University in the Eastern Cape

Authors

  • Konwaba Klishi Walter Sisulu University Author
  • Zandile Gqweta Author

Keywords:

Community engagement, education for sustainable development, sustainable development goals, higher education institutions, sustainable development

Abstract

This paper examines the role of innovative pedagogies in promoting sustainability through community engagement initiatives in higher education. As global sustainability challenges intensify, universities are uniquely positioned to contribute solutions by integrating sustainability principles into their curricula. This study examined the practices employed by faculty members at Walter Sisulu University’s former Faculty of Economics and Information Technology Systems (now the Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences) to address local sustainability issues through curriculum-linked community engagement. Using a qualitative research approach, data were generated from faculty activities, course outlines, and community projects to identify effective pedagogical strategies that enhanced student learning while benefiting local communities. Findings indicated that faculty members increasingly align their teaching methodologies with sustainability goals, promoting active student participation in community-orientated projects. These initiatives enrich the educational experience and empower students to become agents of change in their communities. This research underscores the importance of higher education institutions adopting innovative pedagogies that bridge academic knowledge with practical community needs, thereby fostering a sustainable future through education.

 

Author Biographies

  • Konwaba Klishi, Walter Sisulu University

    Mrs Konwaba Klishi is an experienced leader in higher education and enterprise development. She currently serves as Deputy Head of the Department of Human Resources Management at Walter Sisulu University, where she has lectured for the past nine years and actively participates in research and community engagement projects. Her educational trajectory reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation:

    Doctoral Candidate in Environmental Education, Rhodes University, focusing on entrepreneurship and transformative agency for sustainable enterprises in the context of South Africa's just transition.

    Master of Education in Environmental Education, awarded cum laude by Rhodes University (2022). Her research focus was on the sustainability foci of higher education institutions.

    Honours Degree in Development Studies, Nelson Mandela University (2015), focusing on renewable energy systems.

    Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, conferred in 2007.

    Mrs. Klish has extensive experience in public sector economic development and building the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Her previous roles include serving as Principal Trade and Industry Advisor within the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism. She has led and contributed to significant research initiatives, including published studies on systems theory in university sustainability and the effects of load-shedding on SMEs.

    Mrs. Klishi demonstrates her leadership through active involvement in national professional organisations, serving as a committee chairperson, and participating in key academic governance structures. Her areas of expertise include sustainable development, enterprise development and strategic academic planning.

  • Zandile Gqweta

    Zandile Gqweta is a lecturer in the Department of Public Management and Governance at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu. Her academic and research interests focus on public sector governance, community development, and sustainable development practices within higher education contexts. She is particularly engaged in exploring how innovative teaching and learning approaches can enhance community engagement and address socio-economic challenges in underserved communities. Gqweta is committed to advancing socially responsive scholarship and contributing to the development of ethical and effective public administration systems in South Africa.

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Published

2026-04-08

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available by the author on request.

Issue

Vol. 2 (2026): Innovative Journal of African Education

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Konwaba Klishi, Zandile Gqweta (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Fostering Sustainability through Innovative Pedagogies: Faculty Community Engagement at one University in the Eastern Cape. (2026). Innovative Journal of African Education, 2. https://ijae.wsu.ac.za/ijae/index.php/ojs/article/view/20