JCP students contribute to the fight against COVID-19

Students in the Faculty enrolled in the Community-based Project (JCP) module were enthusiastic in offering their time and effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several groups of students in the Faculty made face masks and delivered them to non-profit organisations and surrounding schools in their neighbourhoods. These students revealed how grateful they were for the opportunity to participate in community service during the pandemic. Many of the students had to learn new skills, but came to the realisation that this pandemic affects the poor and disadvantaged the most.

Electrical, electronic and computer engineering students continued to make a positive contribution to society during the pandemic. Five students gave a helping hand to a non-profit organisation in Mabopane by fixing its computer laboratory so that it could be used by the community. Some of the computers were repaired, while upgraded software packages for educational purposes were installed to improve the skills of the community.

Students collaborated with local schools to find innovative ways to ensure that teaching and learning continued online while the country was in lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. The projects in which the students were involved required new and unique levels of interaction with the community. Support included developing PowerPoint presentations, updating mark sheets, making online forms available and creating databases. Students also assisted in finding solutions for teachers to allow learners to upload assignments.

Two students in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering developed a mobile application (app) for members of the homeless shelters that form part of the Tshwane Homelessness Forum to access assistance during the pandemic. This app enables shelters to communicate more quickly with warehouses about their needs. The students reflected that this was their way of taking their existing skill set and giving back to the community.