The
British Council’s
Innovation for African Universities (IAU) Programme brings
together universities across sub-Saharan Africa and the UK with organisations supporting sub-Saharan African ecosystems. The programme aims to grow universities’ capabilities for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
Supporting youth social entrepreneurship
Professor Deidre Van Rooyen, Associate Professor at the
Centre for Development Support, said, “The programme teaches students in terms of social justice, creating change in communities, and making a difference, which all aligns with our vision as UFS.” The project
trained 50 students on aspects of social entrepreneurship, and groups of five were matched with 10 NGOs. In this way the knowledge they gained was transferred to community projects. “Ultimately, these organisations are now able to become
more self-sustainable.”
Prof Van Rooyen added that the project benefits the UFS as it also touches on the University’s three main pillars. “Teaching, research, and engaged scholarship are what the UFS aspires to do and, through that, students can gain not only
theoretical knowledge but practical and soft skills to assist with social changes in society. By working with NGOs and applying social entrepreneurial principles and practice to generate measurable and meaningful outcomes, students will improve
(self-) employability and social impact experiences. Students will further obtain hard social and economic skills.”
She concluded that, “If we for example have trained 40 students through the project, as well as teaching programmes in 10 NGOs, just think what type of social impact we can create within the region – touching lives of children, vulnerable people, the elderly, youth, and more.”
The University will learn later this month whether the British Council will award further funding to the project.