Date of Publication :8th October 2024

Abstract: Social responsibility is often associated with the private sector, without noticing the contribution made by higher education in promoting responsible citizenry. South Africa faces socio-economic challenges that require responsible citizenry to be encouraged. This paper explores how higher education develops students into responsible citizensin their engagement with communities through the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) module. The paper is underpinned by Freire's (1974-2000) theory, which seeks a connection between education and socioeconomic development in which university students show acts of responsible citizenry by committing to acts of love and care for communities. The study employed a mixed-method approach in gathering data. To gather quantitative data, a 4-point Likert scale questionnaire was distributed to students to assess how higher education promotes responsible citizenry qualities through Work Integrated Learning activities in their interaction with communities which were analysed statistically. In determining the impact of change in communities in their interaction with higher education, qualitative data was gathered using focus group discussions that were thematically analysed. The findings revealed positive change among community members in learning about alternative ways of lessening poverty while students developed graduate attributes of responsible citizenry.

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