Recent research has demonstrated that many of the challenges faced by rural areas can effectively be addressed by adaptation of existing resources and technologies, as well as building and supporting community capacities to solve their problems in locally contextualised ways. This thinking has opened up opportunities for collaborations and engagements between researchers and community and enhanced engaged scholarship. Literature in public engagement with science shows that the public values the opportunities afforded by the public engagements with science because this allows them to interact with scientific researchers. This builds their interest in and curiosity about areas of scientific knowledge than can positively change their lives (Jensen and Buckley, 2014 Nyirenda, et al. 2018)
In the quest to use locally available resources and building the capacity of communities to solve their own problems, The University of Venda through a team of multidisciplinary researchers and post graduate students run a dedicated Green Technologies Promotion (UniVen GreenTech Promo) Drive researching different aspects of Waste – to – Energy Conversion – Biogas Technology, (WECBioTech) since 2012. The project specifically looks into the possible use of biogas technology as an alternative rural energy source that can be used in many facets of the community’s everyday life.
During the National Science week the UNIVEN and the HSRC will showcase this project through a documentary shot at specific communities in Limpopo. Along with documentary, the teams will run a community engagement aimed at:
• Establishing the public’s current understanding of biogas technologies and its value
• Creating awareness about the potential of biogas as a source
• Exploring community perceptions on how they can be engaged and participate in the project.
Structure of the Engagement
1. Introduction of the team and the project by the research project
2. Preliminary questions to establish
a. The current knowledge and understanding
b. Attitudes towards Biogas use
3. Documentary showing
4. Post-questions to identify
a. Changes (or not) in knowledge, understanding and attitudes
b. Perceptions on future engagements and collaborations with UNIVEN on BIOGAS
Programme – Mokgalakwena
Day 1: Tuesday, 3 August 2021
13:00 Opening remarksDr Konosoang Sobane
13:10 Introduction of the programme
Dr Palesa Sekhejane
13:50 Documentary showing Link:
14:10 Questions and Answer Konosoang Sobane
14:40 Lunch
15:00 Exhibition Showing Senisha Moonsamy
15:20 Questions and Answer Senisha Moonsamy
15:40 Closing Remarks Dr Konosoang Sobane
Programme – Maruleng
Day 2: Wednesday, 4 August 2021
11:00 Opening remarks Dr Palesa Sekhejane
11:10 Introduction of the programme Dr Konosoang Sobane
11:50 Documentary showing Link https://youtu.be/WH-tObpvOpE
12:10 Questions and Answer Dr Konosoang Sobane
12:30 Exhibition Showing Senisha Moonsamy
12:50 Questions and Answer
13:10 Closing Remarks Dr Palesa Sekhejane
13:10 Lunch
Programme – Ga-Phasha
Day 3: Thursday, 5 August 2021
10:00 Opening remarks Senisha Moonsamy
10:10 Introduction of the programme Dr Palesa Sekhejane
10:50 Documentary showing Link: https://youtu.be/WH-tObpvOpE
11:10 Questions and Answer Dr Konosoang Sobane
11:30 Exhibition Showing Senisha Moonsamy
11:50 Questions and Answer
12:10 Closing Remarks Dr Konosoang Sobane
13:10 Lunch
Programme – Vuwani Science Resource Centre
Day 4: Friday, 6 August 2021
09:00 Opening remarks Prof Bongani Bantwini
09:10 Introduction of the IKS exhibition Prof Peter Tshisikhawe
09:15 Exhibition showing Link: https://youtu.be/Iz7YfE7g28w
09:25 Questions and Answer Adv Dr Pfarelo Matshidze
09:55 Introduction of the renewable energy exhibitionDr Eric Maluta
10:00 Exhibition Showing
Link: https://youtu.be/kgK9bvWC-3g
10:10 Questions and Answer Dr Sophie Mulaudzi
10:50 Introduction of the panel Dr Sam Kaheru
11:00 Webinar and radio broadcast
12:00 Reflections from Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Dr Andrea Juan, HSRC
12:15 Questions and Answer Prof Bongani Bantwini
12:30 Closing Remarks Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka and Prof Heidi Van Rooyen
13:00 Lunch
