From Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga to rural KwaZulu-Natal, Unisa's Department of Environmental Sciences (DES) is taking science, career guidance and higher education opportunities directly to rural communities, reaching more than 2,000 high school learners through recent outreach activities.

In Mpumalanga, more than 1,000 Grade 12 learners from 10 schools in the Mkhuhlu Circuit, Bushbuckridge, participated in a two-day career and information outreach programme held on 20 and 21 August 2026. Hosted at Hilltop Assembly Church, the programme gave learners an opportunity to engage directly with university academics and learn about careers, higher education, Unisa study opportunities, funding and student support.

The programme was led by Prof MK Maluleke, Chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences, together with Dr PA Ramulifho from DES and Dr ME Chibe from the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences. They were joined by colleagues from the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, including Dr M Mahlobo and Dr M Moreroa.

Prof Maluleke inspiring high school learners to pursue their educational and career aspirations during the career and information outreach programme at Mkhuhlu Circuit, Bushbuckridge.

Dr Shivambu engaging with high school learners during a career and environmental education outreach programme held at Dr Nembula High School in Adams Mission, KwaZulu-Natal.

The outreach did more than provide information about university applications. It brought the university closer to learners who may otherwise have limited opportunities to interact with academics and learn about careers in science. By taking the information directly into the community, the programme helped learners see higher education as a realistic pathway to achieving their career aspirations.

This commitment to rural communities also extends to KwaZulu-Natal, where Dr Shivambu recently engaged with more than 500 high school learners at Dr Nembula High School and Nathaniel Sabelo Secondary School. The engagements exposed learners to environmental sciences and the importance of science in understanding and addressing environmental challenges affecting communities.

Together, these engagements demonstrate the broader impact of Unisa's Department of Environmental Sciences. The department is not only teaching students through its academic programmes but is also taking environmental knowledge, career information and scientific engagement beyond the university and into schools and rural communities.

For learners, meeting environmental scientists and university academics provides an opportunity to ask questions, discover careers they may not have previously considered and understand how environmental science can contribute to solving real-world challenges such as water management, conservation, climate change and sustainable development.

The Mkhuhlu programme is part of an outreach initiative that has been running for several years, with plans to expand engagement to learners in lower grades. This will allow career awareness and discussions about science to begin earlier, helping learners make informed decisions about their subjects and future studies.

Through these continued engagements, Unisa Environmental Sciences is taking the university to the people, connecting rural learners with knowledge, opportunities and the possibility of becoming the next generation of environmental scientists.

More than 1,000 Grade 12 learners from 10 schools in the Mkhuhlu Circuit, Bushbuckridge, participated in a two-day career and information outreach programme held on 20 and 21 August 2026