Engaged Scholarship (CE)
The Engaged Scholarship (CE) Project model is categorised into three sections: Engaged Scholarship (ES) Flagship Projects, Novel/Fresh Idea Projects, and Outreach Projects.
ES Flagship is the BEST PRACTICE project that positions the development expertise of Unisa in society while enhancing scholarship within the academy. Novel/Fresh Idea Projects are ES projects that respond to critical occurrences in society and emerging development challenges (not undertaken by flagships), both through engaged teaching and engaged research. Outreach Projects are aligned with the mission, vision and strategy of the University. They do not involve donations of any goods purchased with CE funds. They create awareness and consciousness of key development and social justice issues. Knowledge is mobilised out of the University to specific communities. Through outreach, we discern new areas for engaged scholarship and new partners/stakeholders and critical interlocutors, as well as enhance our social capital for knowledge production and mobilisation.
Astra Engaged Scholarship
Application of Sustainable Technologies for Rural Africa (ASTRA) is a Novel Idea Project comprising Mechanical and Industrial Engineering colleagues.
The primary objective of this project is to promote the application of technologies viable to be used in rural areas in general and African countries in particular by conducting awareness sessions and demonstrations, and implementing various sustainable technologies for high school learners in communities.
The implementation of ASTRA is to educate young learners in high schools on various sustainable technologies that are available. Unisa mentors engage with educators and learners and bring awareness of the local resources that can be used for the betterment of communities. In a broad context, the project promotes various methods and mechanisms to take advantage of renewable energy resources.
As we serve communities in the African context, the ASTRA project will contribute to the Africanisation of teaching and learning by translating the available resources into wealth. For example, solar energy is available in abundance in the entire African continent. Solar photovoltaic panels convert solar energy into stored electrical energy in batteries. This mechanism either eliminates or at least reduces electrical power consumption. In this process, teaching and learning take place by way of demonstration.
ASTRA also aims to mentor participating learners from Grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. These are the learners who are expected to choose science and engineering streams of education qualifications. Learners are likely to be inspired through their participation in the ASTRA project.
Current schools adopted
Last modified: Mon Aug 07 18:04:24 SAST 2023