Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability
Engaged Scholarship
The Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability at Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) encourages staff participation in UNISA's Engaged Scholarship Projects to support the Engaged Scholarship strategies of the university. As part of its commitment to the Engaged Scholarship strategies of UNISA, iNanoWS has an Engaged Scholarship Committee which is fully guided by UNISA's Engaged Scholarship and Outreach Policy.
Briefly, at UNISA, engaged scholarship/community engagement refers to initiatives and processes through which the academic and research expertise of the university are applied to address issues relevant to the community to the mutual benefit of the community and the institution.
LEBOGANG SECONDARY SCHOOL PROJECT
iNanoWS Engaged Scholarship Project at Lebogang Secondary School in Welkom - Free State focuses mainly on connecting classroom teaching to experiences in the community to aid the improvement of the quality of Life Sciences and Physical Sciences subjects at the school. Some of the activities include:
- Inviting postgraduate students for advice and guidance based on personal academic experience. Also to act as role models for learners.
- Continuous career guidance.
- Helping with school laboratories.
- Empowering Life Sciences Educators.
- Visiting community - Water treatment plants, energy power plants and network, etc.
- Instituting a water treatment project.
The formal adoption of the school by iNanoWS was on 08 March 2022. Below are some of the pictures taken in 2022 during iNanoWS visits to Lebogang Secondary School.
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On 26 October 2022, iNanoWS made a significant donation of a human skeleton and 10 multi-meter devices used for monitoring water quality to Lebogang Secondary School to improve the quality of science education. Prof Paul Westerhoff (Professor at Arizona State University, USA, and one of the advisory board members of iNanoWS), purchased the skeleton and shipped it all the way from the USA. Additional information
Below are some of the pictures taken during the iNanoWS visit to Lebogang Secondary School to hand the donation.
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ANNUAL BLOUBERG MAYORAL CAREERS EXPO
iNanoWS at Ben Seraki Stadium - Sekiding Village in Limpopo (22 July 2022).
The program targeted attendance of 1000 Grade 11 & 12 learners from different schools and aimed to:
- Motivational and industry insight talks
- Information stands and materials
- Educator information sharing sessions.
Below are some of the pictures taken at the expo in 2022.
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NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
iNanoWS at a Launch and Opening of USEC (01 - 02 August 2022).
Mandisa Shiceka High School (Kagiso) learners showed a lot of interest in nanotechnology but none were aware of the applications.
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PLAY AFRICA
Below are some of the pictures taken during the iNanoWS visit to Play Africa in 2022.
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Visit to Play Africa- lessons learnt:
- Simple is better!!
- Think really basic and easy to move around.
MAKHANDA SCIENCE FEST
iNanoWS at SciFest Africa (07 - 13 September 2022).
“Back to the Basics”, this theme highlights the crucial role of basic sciences (physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics) in sustainable development.
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MANDENI MUNICIPALITY
iNanoWS in Mandeni Municipality - KZN (22 - 23 September 2022).
There is an initiative with the Department of Water and Sanitation aiming to address water pollution challenges in Mandeni municipality. Mainly, pollution is a result of floods which destroyed all wastewater treatment plants. Hence the sewage and industrial effluents are discharged into the river untreated. Some of the activities include:
- Water treatment plant visits and collection of samples.
- Visit industrial sites and collect samples from industrial effluents.
- Visit polluted river sources and collect water from selected sites within the two rivers.
- Meetings with the Department of Water and Sanitation.
Below are some of the pictures taken in 2022 during the iNanoWS visit.
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Last modified: 2023/10/18