RUCE: Rhodes University Community Engagement

05/09/2026

Who taught the President to read?

Behind every leader, doctor, teacher, scientist and entrepreneur is an early childhood development practitioner who helped lay the foundation.

We often take our teachers for granted, yet their work shapes children's lives long before formal schooling begins. Through play and careful structured activities, ECD teachers prepare young children to read, write, communicate and engage confidently with the world around them.

Early childhood education is not simply preparation for school, it is the foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Yesterday's session with 12 ECD Centre Leaders was a joy - the energy, passion and positivity they bring to any space is inspiring!

May every ECD practitioner recognise their critical role in society - we see you and we value you deep investment in our society 💜

30/08/2026

The learners from the Vulindlela Academic support programmme were treated to science activities at the fabulous MERCK Curiosity Cube which is in the Barret Car Park for another week - open every morning. Its open to the public!

The theme this year is Synthetic Biology and the activities are amazing!

29/08/2026

The MERCK Curiosity Cube is back in town, parked in the Barret parking space opposite DSG and open to the public. Ourstanding activities and well prepared RU volunteers assisting - this is well worth a visit. Bring your children, bring your class! Open until 3pm today and every morning next week!

27/08/2026

The East Cape Midlands College hosted a Business Breakfast today - the purpose of the event, to build strategic partnerships - speakers from various sectors spoke to the critical importance of collaboration and relevance.

Proud of our PGDIP student, Mike Sdeba for organizing this important event 👏

27/08/2026

Let's join the amazing River Rescue team and clean up 🙌

September clean up. Mark your calendars now.

26/08/2026

Congratulations to our colleague, Dr Matias Flores (Universidad Catolica Silva Henriquez in Chile) who has been awarded the IARSLCE 2026 International Dissertation Award - an award that acknowledges and celebrates a dissertation that advances outstanding research on service learning and community engagement. 🙌

His dissertation, Community Engagement in Chile: A New Generation, Conditioned Legitimacy, and Academic Capitalism, examines the history and politics of university community engagement , specifically comparing Latin American "university extension" models with North American land-grab systems.

Congratulations Matias we celebrate with you! 🎊 👏

26/08/2026

The Fathers of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) are at it again!
Co Chairs of the prestigious UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education - Prof Budd Hall, Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria in Canada and Dr Rajesh Tandon, Director of PRIA in India launched the Knowledge Democracy and Participatory Research Open Access Digital Repository this afternoon 😀 - this is a fabulous living and evolving resource!
Find the link to the repository below - you are also invited to contribute! https://knowledgedemocracydspace.com/home

Join us in CONGRATULATING them and the Team for this gem ✨️ ❤️

Knowledge democracy rests on the principle that knowledge, in all its diverse forms and expressions, must be accessible and usable for the public good. It recognises that knowledge is produced not only in universities but also in communities, civil society, and social movements, through a range of m...

24/08/2026

The Literacy Programme Student Leaders attended a reflection session with Co-ordinator Hlengiwe Mlambo today. Each Student leader manages between 6 and 10 volunteers, targeting Gr R to Grade 3 learners.

Listening to their reflections is a reminder how invested these dynamic young leaders are! Just so inspiring!

21/08/2026

NOMINATIONS OPEN - Annual Community Engagement Awards🏆

Each year, Rhodes University Community Engagement hosts a celebration of the passion, commitment, and impact demonstrated by students and community partners in our Engaged Citizenry programmes, as well as engaged student researchers.

Award categories:

♟️Gold Award for Volunteer Excellence
♟️Engaged Student Researcher of the Year Award
♟️Societies and Sports Club of the Year Award
♟️Hall or Residence of the Year Award
♟️Community Partner of the Year Award

Apply here: https://www.ru.ac.za/communityengagement/about/communityengagementawards/

❎Nominations close: 1 September 2026

20/08/2026

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