29 September 2026 * Bredasdorp The University of the Western Cape’s Community Engagement Unit (CEU), together with colleagues from across the University, participated in the Ignite Cape Agulhas Municipal Youth Summit in Bredasdorp. UWC’s contribution focused on connecting young people with educational and development opportunities while creating space for their own experiences, strengths and aspirations to inform future engagement. Nathan Lawrence, Community Engagement Coordi

15 September 2026 | The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) held a Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI) Training with colleagues from the Faculty of Dentistry. The session, which forms part of the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDP)-funded project, Strengthening the Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI), was facilitated by Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk, Acting Director of the Community Engagement Unit, and Mr. Ridwaan Mallum, Digital Trans

School of Public Health * 09 September 2026 * The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) held a Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI) Training with colleagues from the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (CHS). The session, which forms part of the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDP)-funded project, Strengthening the Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI), was facilitated by Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk, Acting Director of the Community E

AI Colloquium 2026 | Advancing Ethical AI The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) was proud to be represented by our Acting Director, Dr Samantha van Schalkwyk, at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Colloquium 2026 held at the University of the Western Cape by The Centre for Innovative Education and Communication Technologies (CIECT) . Dr van Schalkwyk was one of the featured speakers, presenting on “AI, Community Engagement, and Social Justice: Towards Ethical Futures.” Her contri

CEU congratulates CHS on the Launch of their Fisantekraal Wellness Centre. On 18 August 2026, the Community Engagement Unit (CEU) attended the official launch of the UWC Fisantekraal Wellness Centre, hosted by the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (CHS) at the Fisantekraal Civic Centre. The CEU was represented by Dr Samantha Van Schalkwyk (Acting Director), and Damaris Kiewiets - Community Liaison Officer. The launch showcased the Wellness Centre and its facilities,

SOE–SI Seminar Series Join us for the upcoming SOE–SI Seminar Series, hosted by the Community Engagement Unit at the University of the Western Cape. We are pleased to welcome Faeza Meyer and Dr Koni Benson for a discussion on: “Collective Interventions in the History of a Land Occupation: Writing Out Loud Against Erasure” 📅 26 August 2026 ⏰ 13:00 – 14:00 💻 Online The seminar reflects on collaboration between frontline activism and feminist history writing, focusing on land

5 Aug 2026 * The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) hosted a Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI) Training for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. As part of the University Capacity Development Grant (UCDP)-funded project Strengthening the Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI), the session introduced participants to UWC's Scholarship of Engagement Model and provided practical guidance on using the SoE-SI web portal to capture and showcase soci

Hosted by: Dr. Anita Maurtin, Director, Strategic Academic Projects Office of the DVC: Academic, UWC. On 17 July 2026, the Community Engagement Unit team, Ms. Damaris Kiewiets (CEU community liaison officer), Ms. Pearl September-Brown (CEU researcher), and Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk (CEU Acting Director) facilitated a training for UWC’s Accelerated Excellence Programme (AEP) students. (Venues): On the 17th at Krystal Beach Hotel, Gordon’s Bay and on the 18th July, Mandela Day

29 July 2026 * The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) hosted an in-person Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI) Training with the Faculty of Education. The training focused on UWC’s Scholarship Model and advanced navigation of the SoE-SI web portal. The session was facilitated by Dr Samantha van Schalkwyk, Acting Director of the CEU, and Mr Ridwaan Mallum, Digital Transformation Specialist & Enterprise Solutions Architect. Participants were guided through the So

Faculty of Arts & Humanities (5 Aug 2026) Get exposure to the Foundations of SoE-SI (Scholarship of Engagement for societal Impact) Learn how to capture, showcase, and evidence your engagement work for recognition, reporting, and impact.

This seminar examines the co-creation of knowledge as a critical practice within the Scholarship of Engagement, drawing on a Participatory Action Research (PAR) study conducted in Lambert’s Bay, South Africa. In a context shaped by inequality, marginalisation, and limited access to services, the study foregrounds community members as co-researchers and co-designers of a community-based substance abuse intervention programme. Through iterative cycles of engagement including ne

Community Engaged Learning Programme (CELP) The Community Engaged Learning Programme (CELP), offered by the Community Engagement Unit (CEU) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), introduces students to the principles and practice of community engagement within the South African context. Grounded in the Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact (SoE-SI), the programme connects academic learning with societal needs by encouraging students to apply their disciplinary k

The annual Colloquium hosted by the CEU at the University of the Western Cape: 18 - 19 May (from 2pm - 4.30pm)