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 SoE-SI framework and the use of the web portal to document and showcase community engagement activities. The CEU extends its appreciation to Prof. Rajendran Govender, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Benita Nel, and staff members of the Faculty of Education for their participation and contribution to the session.

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 social impact engagement activities. The training was facilitated by Dr Samantha van Schalkwyk, Acting Director of the CEU, and Mr Ridwaan Mallum, Digital Transformation Specialist & Enterprise Solutions Architect.. Colleagues engaged with the theoretical foundations of UWC's Scholarships Model, mapping their work accordingly. They were also given the opportunity to share their community-engaged work, celebrate emerging practices, and build a stronger community of practice around social impact. The next phase of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities training will involve project-capturing workshops, during which colleagues will participate in hands-on sessions to support them in capturing their projects on the SoE-SI web portal. The CEU thanks Prof. Fiona Moolla, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Brooke Alhadeff, and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities colleagues for their support and participation. We look forward to continuing to work with your faculty to showcase your valuable social impact initiatives.

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 Engagement Unit, and Mr. Ridwaan Mallum, Digital Transformation Specialist & Enterprise Solutions Architect. It focused on introducing colleagues to UWC’s Scholarship of Engagement Model and providing guidance on how to capture and showcase their community-engaged work through the SoE-SI web portal. Colleagues had an opportunity to discuss the Scholarship Model, connect it to the work they are already doing, and share some of the projects and initiatives they are involved in within communities. A second training session with the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences will take place on 07 October 2026 for colleagues who were unable to attend today’s session. The CEU would like to thank Prof. Shaheed Soeker and the UWC Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (FCHS) for their support and participation. We look forward to continuing this work with the faculty and creating greater visibility for the valuable engagement taking place across CHS.

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 Transformation Specialist & Enterprise Solutions Architect. The training focused on introducing colleagues to UWC’s Scholarship of Engagement Model and providing guidance on how to capture and showcase their community-engaged work through the SoE-SI web portal. Colleagues had an opportunity to discuss the Scholarship Model, connect it to the work they are already doing, and share some of the projects and initiatives they are involved in within communities. A special thank you to Prof. Veerasamy Yengopal, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Khabiso Ramphoma, Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator, Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, and all colleagues from the Faculty of Dentistry for their participation and engagement in the session. #IAMuwc

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 contribution explored the importance of placing community voices, collaboration and social justice at the centre of conversations around the responsible use of artificial intelligence. As CEU, we remain committed to strengthening the scholarship of engagement for societal impact and creating meaningful connections between communities, knowledge and social change.

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, including its gym, consulting rooms, and the garden where herbs are grown, highlighting the Centre’s focus on supporting the wellbeing of the Fisantekraal community. A key reflection shared by Prof. Anita Padmanabhanunni, Dean of CHS, was that Community and Health Sciences is the only faculty at UWC with the word “Community” in its name. She emphasised that this language is intentional, underscoring the faculty’s strong commitment to serving communities and addressing their health and social needs through meaningful and impactful engagement. The CEU congratulates Prof. Anita Padmanabhanunni, Prof. Shaheed Soeker, and all colleagues and stakeholders involved in this important initiative. May the Fisantekraal Wellness Centre move from strength to strength. Thank you for your significant contribution to this community.

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 and water struggles, community histories, activist archiving and the use of “writing out loud” to challenge erasure. 🔗 Register here: https://uwc.zoom.us/meeting/register/6iR6hcrfR6K-uBAqn3CTOQ#/registration 🎥 Watch our previous SOE–SI Seminar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQg6soD0I-Y–SI Seminar Series

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 activities at the community Hall, Deepfreeze, Macassar The training focused on Community Engagement concepts and practice, the Scholarship of Engagement for Societal Impact, and diversity and engaged leadership. The practical community site visit took place on Mandela Day at the community of Deepfreeze, Macassar. The AEP students facilitated small-group conversations with young people from the community, sharing their own experiences of applying to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and navigating the transition to university life. By speaking candidly about their journeys, challenges, and successes, they created a space where the young residents could ask questions, share experiences, and begin to imagine themselves following similar pathways. The engagement not only provided practical guidance on accessing higher education but also fostered inspiration and a sense of possibility. The conversations nurtured hope by showing that the path to higher education is shaped by many different journeys, including those that begin in communities like their own. Word of Thanks: Dr. Anita Maurtin, Director, Strategic Academic Projects Office of the DVC: Academic, Sr. Debbie Myburgh, Department of Health Deepfreeze, Macassar.

On 2 July, representatives from the University of Zululand and the University of the Western Cape met as part of the Unizulu-led UCDP site visit. The meeting focused on laying the groundwork for the collaborative project, Community Engagement Ethics and Research Methodology, and provided an opportunity to discuss collaboration between the participating institutions. Among those in attendance was Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk, Acting Director of the UWC Community Engagement Unit, together with Prof. Peter Njuho (University of Zululand), Prof. Bolyn Selepe (UWC), Prof. Jesika Singh ( Director Research Development and Postgraduate Support , UWC), and Ms. Kristena Reddy. Pictured from left: Prof. Bolyn Selepe, Prof. Peter Njuho, Prof. Jesika Singh, Ms. Kristena Reddy, and Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk.

Winter has a special way of reminding us that small acts of kindness can create lasting warmth. Our Project Winter Hope initiative in Garies, Northern Cape, was an incredible success, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed, partnered with us, and helped make a meaningful impact in the lives of community members. On behalf of the Community Engagement Unit (CEU), we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our partners from the UWC Library, particularly Khanyisa Yekwani and Gerald Louw, for their dedication and support throughout this initiative. A special thank you goes to Dr Shirlene Neerputh, Director of the UWC Library, and Shehaamah Mohamed, Deputy Director Learning and Teaching, Library Services, for the valuable partnership and collaboration that made this project possible. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our internal support team and leadership: our Acting Director, Dr Samantha Van Schalkwyk, Nathan Lawrence from the UWC Centre of Performing Arts (CPA), and Damaris Kiewiets, our Community Liaison Officer, for their commitment and contributions. To our valued partners, Change Agents South Africa NPO, thank you for walking this journey with us. Special appreciation goes to Olin Kiewietz, who led this project with passion and dedication, as well as Change Agents South Africa Chairperson, Jayson George, for the continued support and commitment to promoting social impact. Throughout our visit to JJ Lambert Primary School, facilitated by Juffrou Fagmieya Januarie and her team, and the Garies Town Hall, a number of meaningful activities took place that touched the lives of many community members. The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) led a workshop, “Die Stem van Garies,” which focused on community mapping and centring the voices of community members. This workshop was facilitated by Nathan Lawrence (UWC Centre for Performing Arts), Damaris Kiewiets (CEU Community Liaison Officer) and Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk (Acting Director, CEU). Khanyisa Yekwani and Gerald Louw from the UWC Library also facilitated a workshop for youth and their parents on the dangers of the online world and digital safety awareness. One of the highlights of the programme was the Dignity Clothes Shop initiative led by Change Agents South Africa. Donations were carefully displayed, and community members were given the opportunity to choose items according to their needs and preferences. Children selected toys of their choice, individuals picked clothing items and shoes, while adults also received blankets, soup, socks, and other essential winter items. A particularly touching moment was reaching out directly to vulnerable members of the community. Five elderly community members were visited in their homes, with the oldest being 91 years old. These moments reminded us that community engagement is not only about providing material support, but also about restoring dignity, sharing compassion, and building human connection. Our outreach also extended to Joe Slovo Community Health Centre-ER, where we donated baby clothing and boxes of sanitary pads to support families and address important community needs. This initiative demonstrated the true power of collaboration, compassion, and collective action. Together, we did more than provide warmth this winter; we shared hope, restored dignity, inspired smiles, and fostered a genuine sense of belonging. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, staff member, student, and partner who contributed towards making this initiative a success. Together, we continue to build stronger communities and create meaningful change.

Dr Samantha van Schalkwyk (Acting Director): The first half of 2026 has been a period of transition and growth for the Community Engagement Unit (CEU). Since assuming the role of Acting Director in January 2026, a key focus has been to enhance the visibility of community engagement initiatives within the CEU and across UWC. This commitment is aligned with UWC's IOP 2026–2030 and its vision of developing graduates who embody Ubuntu through ethical leadership and social responsibility. Read More ... https://tinyurl.com/48e7jrcs

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.