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08 December 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
UFS loveLife Computer Graduations
The group of 90 members of the Botshabelo community who successfully completed the 12-week ICT Services short-learning course through a collaboration between the UFS Directorate Community Engagement, the Department of Computer Science and Informatics, and the youth leadership organisation, loveLife.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many people will look back at 2020 and 2021 with emotions of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. But for a group of close to 200 community members in Botshabelo, the past two years have not only signified one of their biggest achievements in life; for them, the day that they graduated is also holding the promise of a new beginning.

Both this year’s group and the group of 100 community members who enrolled for the two ICT short learning courses in 2020, successfully completed the programme.

“After 12 weeks of training, the community members were very happy to receive their certificates,” says Alfi Moolman of the Directorate Community Engagement at the University of the Free State (UFS).

According to Moolman, this Information Technology service-learning project is a wonderful example of how the UFS responds to the needs of the community and addresses the digital divide through its Service-Learning programme.

Aiming for 100% digital literacy

Rouxan Fouché, Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics who is also doing his PhD in Computer Information Systems, is focusing on the digital divide in his research study, titled: An exploration of service-learning strategies to address the South African digital divide: A Critical Utopian Action Research Approach. He quotes Molawa, who defines the digital divide as the separation of those who have access to digital information and communications technology and those who do not. “Molawa has confirmed that some of the challenges to information and communication technology (ICT) access in Africa have been caused by poverty due to high levels of unemployment, illiteracy, and skills shortage.”

In his study, Fouché states that South Africa is aiming for 100% digital literacy and skills to leverage the power of modern ICT for economic appropriation and to address inequity.

In his investigation, Fouché found that increasing the level of digital skills is the responsibility of many different stakeholders, from governments to universities. “Universities may play a vital role in helping to bridge the digital divide by providing free or affordable access to digital skills training and qualifications focused on groups from marginalised areas.”

He is currently concluding the last phase of his PhD study, which included the implementation of the service-learning action plan with the Botshabelo community – engaging them to strengthen the response to digital literacy.

Equipped with 21st century computer literacy skills

Moolman says they had to think of innovative ways to ensure that students continue to achieve their learning outcomes during lockdown. “A blended learning approach was decided on, where we introduced videos of the sessions that would have been facilitated face to face in the past.”

“As a collective change facilitator in the process, I connected Fouché and loveLife, a youth leadership organisation that has a Cyber Y lab at their youth centre in Botshabelo.”

“The match was a win. loveLife was equipping their target audience with 21st century computer literacy skills, Fouché could continue with his PhD, and his students have achieved their learning outcomes.”

Felix Morobe, the provincial manager of loveLife, believes the skills development opportunities provided by the UFS through their service-learning programmes are benefiting and growing young people in the community.

He says this programme has meant a great deal to the community, as it adds to their CVs. “Moreover, it also carries the logo of one of the best and most well-recognised universities. This course was a big motivation for the members of the community who attended; saying to them, ‘yes you can do it, despite the challenges that the country is facing in terms of youth unemployment’.”

Feedback from some of the attendees of the course, include, “I wish this course could continue and benefit others”; "I am one step ahead of those who did not attend the course"; and "I am going to apply for work now that I have this additional certificate".

“This is a brilliant example of engaged scholarship,” concludes Moolman.

News Archive

First Rand Foundation contributes funding towards students with disabilities
2017-01-02

 Description: First Rand Foundation Tags: First Rand Foundation

Photo: iStock

Bursary funding for eight students with disabilities at the University of the Free State was recently approved by the First Rand Foundation. The grant of R2 497 440 will be paid over three years: R800 000 (2016/17), R824 000 (2017/18), and R873 440 (2018/19).

This grant from the First Rand Tertiary Education Fund is a result of the negotiations between the UFS Office for Institutional Advancement and the First Rand Foundation (FRF).

Qualifying students with disabilities will be encouraged to apply for bursaries according to criteria and requirements set by the First Rand Foundation. The selection process will be handled by a panel from the UFS. The Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) at the UFS will be instrumental in the process of identifying students with disabilities who meet the criteria and requirements for funding.

CUADS already have a system in place to support students with disabilities in their studies and during exams. Students also have access to specialised exam and test venues for alternative test and exam procedures, as well as computer facilities.

Specialised support services include an amanuensis (scribe) service during tests and exams, accommodating extra time, individual tutor sessions provided in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning, South African Sign Language interpreter coordination, provision of accessible study material, and individual disability support.

 

“The centre aims to ensure that the university increasingly becomes a universally accessible environment that is welcoming and accepting to people with diverse abilities.”

According to Martie Miranda, Head of CUADS, the centre aims to ensure that the university increasingly becomes a universally accessible environment that is welcoming and accepting to people with diverse abilities. “Therefore disability awareness training and advocacy within the UFS, and specifically among staff members, is one of our priorities,” she said.

According to Thandeka Rantsi from the FRF, the company will furthermore support students in CUADS with regards to the needs ensuing from the #feesmustfall protests. “Exactly R34 000 was approved by the FRF for 14 students towards residence and meal expenses, as well as scribe and reader assistance during additional assessments,” she said.

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