Abstract
Student associations are traditionally established to enrich student life with the aim to enhance
academic, political, social or religious interests of students (UJ website, 2013). Most institutions
of higher learning both locally and internationally have a wide variety of student organizations as
part of their structures with the aim to complement formal academic curricula with “real hands
on” experiences. These activities may include volunteering for a charity, developing projects or
campaigns for not for profit organizations (NPO) or helping their academic institutions to build
its reputation in a specific community. Exploring how academic objectives and experiential
learning practices may form part of student association activities will be the focus of this paper.
The Student Public Relations Association (SPRA) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) was
established in 2012 with the required minimum of 30 members and the constitutional aim being
to provide registered Public Relations students with opportunities to develop their public
relations skills through their involvement in industry related community projects and Public
Relations and Communication organisations (SPRA Constitution, 2012).
The paper will explore the opportunities available to students and academics to integrate
academic outcomes and experiential learning activities within a student association in order to
develop the professionalism of our Public Relations students. A survey will be conducted with
various SPRA executive members in exploring the impact their involvement with this student
association had on their professional development.