In July 2026, the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) in Sierra Leone conducted two training sessions on Community Engagement (CE) within the framework of the ENHANCE-GSL project, reaching a total of 20 participants, including academic staff, administrative staff and students.
On 9 July, five administrative staff members participated in a three-hour training focused on strengthening institutional support for university–community engagement. The session explored how administrative policies, coordination, record-keeping, budgeting and partnership management can help integrate community engagement into university systems and ensure its long-term sustainability.
On 16 July, a four-hour training brought together 15 participants, including five lecturers and ten students. The session focused on practical approaches to university–community engagement through teaching, learning, research and service-learning. Participants explored ways to identify community needs, develop reciprocal partnerships and design community engagement projects that respond to real societal challenges.
Through presentations, discussions, case studies, group work and practical exercises, both training sessions strengthened participants’ understanding of community engagement and its role in higher education. The activities aimed to support more systematic, collaborative and sustainable cooperation between the University of Makeni and local communities.