One of the key highlights during the Scholarship of Engagement Conference on 18 November 2025 was the address by Professor Joseph Francis from the University of Venda, who underscored the importance of fairness and reciprocity in academic-community partnerships. In his presentation, “Closing the Knowledge Gap: Harnessing the Scholarship of Engagement as a Strategic Vehicle for Inclusive Community Empowerment,” Professor Francis called for a shift from traditional, top-down approaches to collaborative models in which communities and universities share power, knowledge, and decision-making. He illustrated this principle through the metaphor of the baobab tree, a space where every voice is heard and respected. “Academics must listen more, observe more, and speak less,” he emphasised, advocating for co-created solutions that reflect mutual benefit and tangible societal impact.
Professor Francis defined the Scholarship of Engagement as the integration of academic expertise with real-world challenges, ensuring that teaching, research, and service are developed with communities rather than imposed on them. He stressed that such scholarship should be rigorous, evidence-based, and accessible, while remaining relevant to societal needs. The three-day conference attracted delegates from leading South African institutions, including the University of Johannesburg, Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, and Stellenbosch University. International participation added a global dimension, with representatives from Gulu University (Uganda), Universiti Sains Islam (Malaysia), and the University of Los Andes (Colombia) joining discussions on the second day.