Earlier this month a number of EMS staff were recognised for their work as Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) celebrated the power of civic engagement with its inaugural Social Impact Awards, honouring the exceptional contributions of staff dedicated to societal betterment.
The Social Impact Awards were split in two categories – individual awards recognising three outstanding team leaders, and six awards recognising different team initiatives.
Merin Raju Jacob accepted the Social Impact Award for her work with the Stellenbosch Homelessness Forum (SHF), an advocacy group established last year. She highlighted their efforts to foster understanding and consensus on homelessness issues through data-driven initiatives. “I work alongside incredible people who care deeply and combine that care with the courage to grapple with reality," Jacob said. She explained the SHF plans to host workshops with various communities, partner with U-turn Homelessness Ministries to help people escape homelessness and collaborate with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on national homelessness policy development.
Prof Aletta Odendaal and Dr Michelle Visser accepted a team award for the High School Career Guidance initiative. This is a joint initiative between the Departments of Industrial Psychology (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) and Psychology (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) to provide resources for career exploration. The initiative originated from a need to provide support for Grade 9 learners when choosing their subjects for the Further Education and Training (Grade 10-12) phase of their schooling. A website linked to a YouTube channel, Self-Directed Career Guidance Project, offers videos to assist Grade 9 learners with self-exploration activities in a career guidance booklet.
Sabrina Vinette and Adolph Neethling accepted a team award for the Young Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP). The YEP is a joint initiative of the Department of Business Management at SU and the Hogeskool Utrecjht, in the Netherlands. Recognising the unique challenges faced by learners in disadvantaged areas, the programme actively works to level the playing field to ensure that every aspiring entrepreneur has an opportunity to thrive. YEP offers a pathway to economic independence, innovation and community development. The initiative bridges the gap between aspiration and opportunity.
Original article by the Corporate Communications and Marketing Division: https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10678
