Metaphors from Alice in Wonderland illustrate firstly the ridiculous ...

The enactment principle incorporates the rural HEI‟s needs to move and act into the position it
envisioned to birth it into reality. If part of the vision is to plan and deliver more research outputs,
making that a reality should be the first step into the envisioned ideal.
The first four principles uncover the positive core of the rural HEI.
The simultaneity principle incorporates the moment the HEI explores and envisions the impossible;
the impossible will exist and the institution‟s vision will be a conceived reality.
The free-choice principle incorporates the rural HEI‟s need to be freed from the perceptions and
expectations, from external and internal forces alike.
The anticipatory principle incorporates “what we believe, we conceive”; positive anticipation is vital
for an ideal outcome.
The awareness principle incorporates the awareness of the AI principles and processes as well as the
continuous reflection and re-effectuating of the AI cycle into every aspect of the HEI‟s existence.
Simultaneity, anticipation and awareness will become the first steps towards the ideal.
The positive principle incorporates the increasing and expanding of the rural HEI‟s positive core
through self-affirmation and self-appreciation. It sets a positive spiral into motion that will inevitably
become visible to outsiders.
The narrative principle incorporates the recognition that each rural HEI has a unique and valuable
story; a story that will transform the institution. Through deconstructing and meaning-making, the
rural institution will generate experientially vivid descriptions of the existence of the institution.
Awareness of the AI principles and processes will provide the rural HEI with an opportunity to reflect
on and verbalise its unique and valuable narrative in the deconstructing, sense-making and
transforming of every aspect of its existence. Unique experiences and interconnectedness will lead to
the co-creation of reality and identity, and will re-position the enriched rural institution. Delivery from
expectations and perceptions will free the institution to anticipate and realise its ideal. Continuous
self-affirmation and self-appreciation will increase and expand the initial positive core that will attract
the affirmation and appreciation of others. The rural HEI will then have the attributes to develop to
the „young adults‟ developmental stage, as well as the mature stages beyond.
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