Abstract:
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed and adopted by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) in September 2015 have created a new understanding of social responsibilities. The SDGs
are a framework for building or creating a more sustainable future for all by 2030. Decision-makers in numerous
industries have regarded the SDGs' implementation as a challenging undertaking. University community
engagement initiatives undertaken by universities is one of the ways that can fast track the implementation
of the SDGs. Universities are in a position to train and prepare the next generation with the skills required
in the implementation of SDGs by involving students in their community engagement endeavors. Therefore,
research on how universities are conducting their community engagement initiatives to incorporate SDGs is
necessary. The objective of this study was to explore how the South African universities have incorporated the
SDGs in their community engagement initiatives and what their SDGs priorities are. The focus of this study was
on the eighteen traditional universities in South Africa. Universities' annual reports were examined using a
qualitative exploratory approach and a content analysis research method was used to review the universities'
involvement with SDGs. ATLAS.ti. was used as a data analysiss tool for this study. The findings indicate most
South African universities incorporate SDGs in their community engagement initiatives. The universities' community
engagement initiatives are directed towards achieving SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 17, which centres
around partnerships to achieve the goals, and SDG 5 (gender equality). Universities are working cooperatively
and have already begun referencing and integrating SDGs in their reporting. However, the incorporation of
SDGs into the universities' community engagement reporting is not sufficient as some universities are not yet
mentioning SDGs in their annual reports
