The University’s gateway to the community, its Community Engagement and Development (CEAD) directorate, had its third Community Engagement Excellence Awards on 26 November 2024. The well organised event was a true reflection of the philosophy that drives the directorate – that community is a partner to the University, and that the community is key to the third leg of the University pillars. The other two legs are teaching and learning; and research. CEAD Director, Professor Busisiwe Nkonki-Mandleni described the event a celebration of the outstanding contributions of the MUT community and organisations making significant impacts with their community engagement initiatives. The strong relationship between the University and the community was reflected in the messages and images that were flighted on the screens throughout the event.
The awards for excellence in community engagement (CE) aim to encourage staff and students to work towards developing holistic attributes that reflect MUT’s mission of engaging with government/business/industry as end users. These awards are intended to complement other University awards by recognising those demonstrating attainment of both outstanding performance and excellence in CE.
One of the messages that was shown on the screen was “Your compassion can transform lives. Act now”. The University staff’s responses to this message were shown by the awards they won; the staff’s commitment to community engagement is one of the reasons members of the community descended on MUT on the day to witness the University honouring those that have made an impact upon the community in one way or the other. These staff members got involved in activities that changed the communities for the better, as indicated by the awards they won.
Four categories from the MUT staff made an impact.
- The Distinguished Community Engagement award which was awarded to a project led by Dr Caiphus Hlungwani, a Lecturer in the Department of Community Extension. The project titled: Food Security for Better Health was conducted at four primary schools in Umlazi Township, and the township’s Masibambane Day Care Centre.
- The second category was the Best Multidisciplinary Collaborations for Community Engagement Award. The award is made to a team for the work performed in a multidisciplinary and collaborative effort of different departments/ faculties towards addressing complex issues in communities. The first prize went MUT Schools and Community Sports project, led by the Deputy Director: Sport, Siyabulela Mkwalo. The second prize went to Agricultural Support Project, led by Phindile Mlaba.
- The third category was the Best Collaborations for New Initiatives award. This award is awarded to a project that has demonstrated outstanding promise in engagement. The first prize for this category was won by two projects, Umlazi ComTech Project that was led by Bongiwe Nyide, Deputy Director: Library Services; and Environmental Education and Sustainability project, led by Dr Thanda Mbanjwa, a Lecturer in the Department of Nature Conservation.
- The fourth category was the Best Student-Centred Volunteer Project of the Year. The award went to Impilo Home Project, led by Batho Dube and Gwere Motta, both Lecturers in the Department of Office Management and Technology. The project was located at MUT’s main campus; the beneficiaries were Impilo Home High School learners.