The conditions under which universities are attempting to coherently accomplish their three missions of teaching and learning, research and community engagement have a significant impact on the institutional form, structure and character of universities.The concept of the developmental state, the role and place for the Higher Education sector in the developmental state and its role in supporting political, social and economic transformation is explored. In this article we attempt to further develop a conceptual framework for the development(al) university considering the context, drivers of focus, and changes in control, governance and university functions to the end of defining a potential development pathway. The research problem addressed in this article is therefore not an attempt to extend the 'research university' or 'entrepreneurial university' concept but to rather discuss the pathways through which a university may strengthen its development role as 'instrument' or 'engine'.The empirical analysis presented in the article is a case study of an agricultural development project at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. We analyse the case study against the development pathway framework and explore its utility to facilitate understanding and learning within the University towards reaching development and transformation objectives. We propose that such a framework could support understanding of the impact universities have on the economy and society beyond typical mechanistic measures.

No abstract

This paper analyses the experiences of adolescents in foster care placement with specific reference to participatory decision making in an indigenous African cultural context in South Africa. The emphasis is on the voices of foster adolescents in an indigenous African cultural context and their experiences of inequality when communicating and expressing opinions. The theoretical framework adopted was Interactional Communication Theory in which individuals interact through the use of symbols to co-create and interpret meaning. This theory incorporates some elements of systems theory with the emphasis on the interrelatedness quality as integral to the communication processes. A qualitative exploratory research study was done with 29 adolescents in foster care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 adolescent participants and as well as enriching the data with two focus groups consisting of eight adolescents in each group. Findings indicate a lack of openness of the foster care system in terms of the communication approach, international covenants and legislation that was used. The approach used was not based on interactional practices and perpetuated inequalities amongst adolescents. Also, the socio-cultural context of the foster family played a major inhibiting and determining role for adolescents regarding the level of free and open communication in their placement pertaining to decision making.

No abstract

This study firstly aimed to Illustrate the innovative value of network analysis for the development communication researcher. A case study with the emphasis on an intact system of farmers in the Border-Kelarsalis presented. The study was conducted in Komkhulu with. 46 local farmers taking part in the research. Network analyses were done on a "Who to whom?" matrix basis in order to determine and to illustrate the dynamic Interrelatedness amongst Intact system members and its potential research value for communication and development researchers. Network analysis research In this study concentrated on three levels, namely, the system, clique and Individal levels of analysis. A conceptual picture of dynamic network analysis aspects was revealed. The conceptual quality of network analysis is further enriched by the use and application of the open-systems approach orientation and the communication convergence orientation. The emphasis is not on the effects of communication, but rather on what is taking place among system members. Lastly, social scientists and development communication researchers in particular are encouraged to use network analysis in con junction with or in support of other methodological orientations in community development research. granted lay the Panther (dated 2010