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Walter Sisulu University recently became the only university in South Africa to take part in the WACE trans-national project experience that facilitates industry projects, cultural intelligence training, project presentations and reflection sessions.
WACE connects 9 student members from institutions across 8 countries. Representing WSU in the challenge are Mthatha campus faculty of educational sciences students, Bulelwa Nonkobongo, Sbabalwe Qhele, Sitole Sitsaba, Lorna Mpikwa and Lihle Mbekela.
Project Co-ordinator, Nontuthuzelo Ngubane, said, “I participate in a series of global Work Integrated Learning (WIL) online modules offered by the University of Waterloo, Canada. Through my participation I became exposed to online WIL projects ran by WACE and Practera; and thereafter indicated interest for WSU to participate.”
In the challenge, global student teams undertake online projects to help businesses, government and community organisations identify practical shared value initiatives to create social, environmental and economic value.
Bachelor of Education student, Bulelwa Nonkobongo said, “The project that I am in is for Argo Natural Resources in the United Kingdom. The organization deals with E-waste materials that use anything with a plug, electric cord or battery that has reached its end of life. The organization deals with the recycling of metals, which are said to be of positive impact to the environment and use less dangerous chemicals. The company’s vision is to rethink natural resources.”
Nonkobongo further said that as students they are expected to analyse and present the organisation’s purpose and alignment to one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development goals. They also research top five organisations in the same sector or comparable sectors who are aligned to the same UN Sustainable Development Goals and identify opportunities or activities that might enhance the organization’s social or environmental impact in alignment with the organisation’s purpose.
Another Bachelor of Education student taking part in the project, Sitole Sitsaba said, “Personally, being part of this project defined an educational approach that uses relevant work-based experiences to allow me to integrate theory with meaningful practice of work as a component to grow through skills and knowledge.”
Sitsaba further added that graduates face increasing competition when entering the labour markets, therefore for him this project is a great way to continue building his employability skillset and intercultural skills.
“Engaging with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will significantly benefit the university by demonstrating how impactful the university can be, capturing SDG-related education demand, building new partnerships, accessing new funding streams and defining a responsible and globally aware university,” said Ngubane.
The countries taking place in the challenge are South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Pakistan, Tajikastan, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam.
- Anita Roji
