Abstract:
The University of Pretoria, South Africa, presents a compulsory
undergraduate module, Community-based Project (code: JCP) in the
Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology. It
entails students working for at least 40 hours in the community, and then
reflecting on their experiences through various assignments, including a
presentation, a report and a YouTube video. A large number of students are
enrolled in the module each year. Projects vary from basic renovation and
building projects to the teaching of Mathematics and Science, repairing
old computers for schools and non-profit organisations, and teaching
community members basic computer skills. A number of projects are also
taking place at local museums and other historical sites. This servicelearning-
related course aims to make students more aware of their social
responsibility and to teach them soft skills, for example, communication,
leadership and time management skills.
