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Assessing University‑Society Engagements: Towards a Methodological Framework
(Springer, 2023-10-17) Bekele,Abate Teklu- -; Ofoyuru,Denis Thaddeus; Woldegiorgis,Emnet Tadesse
Higher education institutions pursue three distinct yet interrelated missions of education, knowledge production, and community engagement. Until the last decades of the twentieth century, the third mission, also known as community engagement, has received little attention. Although the third mission generally aims to contribute to the socio-cultural and economic transformations of society, its distinct characteristics are still under-theorized. None of the existing methodological and conceptual frameworks provides a holistic analysis of significant engagement indicators that transcend specific application contexts. Collecting data on university engagement with society and making meaningful interpretations is thus a challenge to researchers and practitioners. To contribute to filling this gap, this modified Delphi study proposes a comprehensive methodological framework of university-society engagements in Africa. The core thesis is that engagement is ubiquitous- university missions and support systems embody it. The framework thus constitutes eight engagement domains aligned with university core functions (teaching, knowledge production, and societal service) and support systems (governance, digitalization, internationalization, partnerships, and sustainability), with 52 items, rating scales, and descriptors. The framework contributes to conceptual and methodological clarity, informs data collection, and interpretations of the different modalities of university engagements. The alignment of engagement domains to university activities and the simplified articulations of the indicators ensure straightforward interpretations and applications of the framework by practitioners and researchers. It is also significant as it comes at a time when universities are expected to contribute more directly and significantly to the realizations of the UN 2030 SDGs and the African Union 2063 centennial development ambitions.
Comparison of Acid- and Base-Modified Biochar Derived from Douglas Fir for Removal of Copper (II) from Wastewater
(SEPERATIONS:MDPI, 2024-03-01) Beatrice Arwenyo ,; Prashan M. Rodrig; Olalekan A. Olabode; Hashani P. Abeysingh; Jessie N. Tisdal; Rose C. Azuba; Todd E. Mlsna
Copper is a non-biodegradable heavy metal, and high levels in water bodies cause serious environmental and health issues. Douglas fir biochar has a higher number of carboxylic, phenolic, and lactonic groups, which provide suitable active sites for copper removal. Douglas fir biochar (BC) was modified using 20% solutions of KOH (KOH/BC), H2SO4, (H2SO4/BC), and Na2CO3 (Na2CO3/BC). All materials were characterized using SEM, SEM-EDS, FTIR, TGA, XRD, BET, and elemental analysis. These modifications were done to compare the activations of those sites by measuring copper removal efficiencies. KOH/BC, H2SO4/BC, and Na2CO3/BC materials gave surface areas of 389.3, 326.7, and 367.9 m2 g−1, respectively, compared with pristine biochar with a surface area of 578.9 m2 g−1.
The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacities for Na2CO3/BC, KOH/BC, BC, and H2SO4/BC were 24.79, 18.31, 17.38, and 9.17 mg g−1, respectively. All three modifications gave faster kinetics at 2 mg/L initial copper concentrations (pH 5) compared with pristine BC. The copper removal efficiency was demonstrated in four different spiked real water matrices. The copper removals of all four water matrices were above 90% at 2 mg/L initial concentration with a 2 g/L biochar dosage.
The competitive effects of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Mg2+ were studied at equimolar concentrations of
Cu2+ and competitive ions for all four materials.
Sorption of Phosphate on Douglas Fir Biochar Treated with Magnesium Chloride and Potassium Hydroxide for Soil Amendments
(MDPI, 2023-09-19) Arwenyo Beatrice 1,2 , Navarathna Chanaka 1 , Krishna Das Naba 1 , Hitt Addie1 and Mlsna Todd1,*
With increasing climate variability, a sustainable crop production approach remains an indispensable concern across the globe. In this study, P retention/availability of MgCl2.6H2O/KOH modified Douglas fir biochar was assessed. The MgCl2·6H2O/KOH treated Douglas fir biochar was prepared by sequentially treating Douglas fir biochar with magnesium chloride and potassium hydroxide solutions. The biochar’s surface area, pore volume, morphology, and elemental compositions were determined using BET, SEM, SEM/EDS, and powder X-ray analyzes. Both surface area and pore volume were reduced by more than 97% following modification. Similarly, the morphology and elemental compositions changed after modification. The maximum P adsorbed corresponding to Langmuir–Freundlich model was 41.18 mg g−1. P sorption on biochar soil mixture was pH dependent. More studies are required to establish the field applicability of P-laden MgCl2 ·6H2O/KOH-modified Douglas fir biochar as a soil additive.
Perceptions of resilience to climate-induced disasters in Mbale municipality in Uganda
(Taylor and francis group, 2020-01-29) Oriangi,George; Albrecht,Frederike; Mukwaya,Paul Isolo; Nakileza,Bob; Pilesjo,Petter; Bamutaza, Yazidhi
Resilience has been raised as a core task within disaster risk
reduction frameworks, yet it remains difficult to implement these
global ideas in local communities. This study used Community
Based Resilience Analysis Approach to investigate the
components that are perceived as important in resilience and the
extent to which these components have been achieved. It
explored the trend of resilience and beneficial interventions for
building resilience as perceived by interviewed participants in
Mbale Municipality in Eastern Uganda. The study results indicate
that access to education, healthcare, employment, peace and
security were the most important components of resilience.
Respondents perceived to have progressed in accessing credit,
building productive farms and sustaining peace and security by
July 2017. However, they assessed a lack of diverse incomegenerating activities, access to insurance, food security,
employment and health care. Moreover, the study showed that
respondents from marginalised parts of the municipality
experienced decreasing resilience while respondents in other
divisions had increased resilience. These results provide contextspecific components of resilience by the local people. This can
inform the formulation of resilience indices and bear relevance for
policy-makers and practitioners to understand areas to invest
more resources to achieve resilience
Climate Refugees and Forced Migrations: Emerging Refugee Question in Lamwo District in Northern Uganda
(EANSO, 2026-07-27) Alidri Agatha; Lalam Nancy Susan; Okello Simon; Ochen Patrick; Reynolds White Susan
Introduction: This study examined the impacts of the February–May 2024 heatwave in South Sudan, highlighting the migration of climate refugees to the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Methodology: It was based on a historical design and a qualitative approach, involving semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and observation as the data collection methods. Key findings: Climate refugees (or climate-induced displaced persons) as individuals or groups forced to cross international
borders due to the severe and escalating impacts of climate change. Extreme weather and worsening living conditions in regions like Juba, Magwii County, and Torit displaced ethnic groups such as the Nuer, Acholi, and Lango, exposing vulnerabilities tied to food insecurity, poverty, and political instability. The influx of refugees has strained Palabek’s social services, worsened environmental degradation, and fueled inter-tribal conflicts. Overcrowding in schools and inadequate infrastructure threaten education quality, while social tensions underline the need for culturally sensitive interventions and conflict-resolution strategies. Key entry points, such as the Nimule-Atiak-Gulu-Lokung route, facilitate multigenerational migration flows. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study advocates for regional policies addressing climate-induced migration through investments
in environmental sustainability, education, and psychosocial support. The study believes effective management requires collaboration between governments, international organisations, and refugee-host communities to build resilience and address these multifaceted challenges.