October 2017

1. MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECTS OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND REALISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND ACADEMICS College of Business & Economics, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture and Faculty of Engineering October 2017

2. Rene Benecke- Humanities; Nickey Janse Van Rensburg- Engineering; Joyce Sibeko - Entrepreneurship; Christa Van Zyl – Liberal Arts

3. Nickey Janse van Rensburg – Nickey is trained as a mechanical engineer and has built a career on developing appropriate technology to support sustainable development in vulnerable communities. By applying an integrated interdisciplinary research strategy Nickey has created opportunities to drive social innovation at the University of Johannesburg by linking community-driven research with the curriculum, with a view to bringing about social change. Through a transformative research paradigm, rooted in a knowledge mobilisation processes involving close collaboration between researchers and the community, she helped to establish in her faculty a formalised approach to managing multi-stakeholder participation and community engagement. Research Collaborators Dalien Benecke - Dalien (Rene) Benecke started her academic career 20 years ago with a vision to share her industry experience with UJ’s public relations students. Work integrated learning and service learning modules are her key focus areas which require the development of a wide variety of projects for students. Rene is currently completing her PhD in PR activism. Rene also coordinates the Students’ Public Relations Association (SPRA) which aims to introduce PR students to working at on-campus projects and at industry events Joyce Sibeko – Joyce Sibeko is an educator, entrepreneur, advisor and mentor at the University of Johannesburg. She is a TAU (Teaching Advancement in Universities) Fellow. She is the recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award for Teaching Excellence. She works with students from various faculties on community service learning projects. She is the Primary Faculty Advisor for the Enactus students organisation at UJ which promotes entrepreneurship. Christa van Zyl - Christa van Zyl teaches graphic design at the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Johannesburg. Her research interests include Humancentred design and design for social development. She is very involved within her community, and runs various of the Graphic Design departmental collaboration projects, both within the university with other departments and faculties, as well as with communities and professional bodies in and around Johannesburg.

4. Abstract The multidisciplinary projects (Engineering, Humanities, Management and Graphic Design) undertaken by the academics at the University of Johannesburg aimed to solve some of the social most complex problems and afford the students the opportunity to implement what they’ve learned in class in a real life context. The study investigated benefits and challenges of working with diverse disciplines in service learning. A mixed method design was more suitable and the data was collected from both secondary and primary sources from both students, community and academics. Data collected and analysed from students’ portfolios, students reflective journal and community feedback revealed that in as much as there are challenges in multidisciplinary projects, the benefits outweighs the challenges. Higher pass rates and retention of students. Students’ remember concepts better compared to written assessments. Three way learning students, academics and community and new knowledge is generated. Unique assignments are produced which are almost immune from plagiarism. University of Johannesburg SAAIR Conference October 2017

5. OVERVIEW

6. INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT • 60% youth unemployment rate • 45% pass rate in entrepreneurship • 26% unemployment rate in South Africa • Less than 7% youth involvement in entrepreneurship. • SMME’s & Cooperatives failure rate of 88% and 90% respectively

7. AIM OF THE PROJECT • Throughput rates, at risk module, job placement, • Authentic learning through collaboration. • Tool for students to start for their own business and find better employment. • For academic: better understanding of the students, better relationships formed with students and communities • Information Exchange with colleagues

8. PROBLEMS

9. THEORY UNDERPINNING THE STUDY – KEN WILBER (2009)INTEGRAL THEORY Ken Wilber

10. LITERATURE REVIEW

11. RESEARCH METHODOLGY • Enablers: • Academics who are passionate about transformational and engaged learning • Good interpersonal relations • Willingness to share expertise and knowledge • Flexibility • Enthusiastic students • Administrative support

12. RESEARCH METHODOLGY conti…. • Enablers: • Detailed study guide on the deliverables for the project & mark allocation • A detailed brief for the project for all stakeholders access. • Academics mentors available for consultation by students • Usage of various social media to speed up communication

13. RESEARCH METHODOLGY cont...

14. Students Involved

15. RESULTS AND FINDINGS For Academics • Sharing resources • Information sharing • better models due input from various disciplines • Personal growth • Exposure to other opportunities • Collaboration research opportunities • Decreased plagiarism from students portfolio • Originality of students project • Learning from students For Students • Students total exposure to the real world and networking opportunities • learning about themselves and changed perceptions • Better performance in class • Better retention and they see the need to further their studies

16. RESULTS AND FINDINGS • For the Institution • Engaged university • Opportunity to address past social injustices through students. • Quality CSI • Better brand reputation For the community • Better understanding of their business • Finding implementable solutions with students • Consultation cost cut down due to usage of students • Free mentorship from academia • Better positioning of their entities • Bootstrapping of resources from the university

17. RESULTS AND FINDINGS Challenges • Resources • Timetable • Conflict of interest • Group dynamics (role egos) • Extra workload for academics Opportunities • Solving community problems using diverse disciplines • Sharing resources • New business case studies developed by students

18. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS • Requires a lot of cooperation • Having passion and commonly identified need to address a problem • Clearly articulated what is the benefit for each of the stakeholders • Students guidance and mentoring is vital to the process to resolve conflict and free riders • Produces better student leaders that are workplace ready • Better developed interpersonal skills make better managers. • More resources could see more academics becoming involved in these projects • Should be given a better weighting otherwise student won’t see the need to put more effort. • Collaborators need to see each other as equals. • An MOU/MOA might be necessary to regulate conflict of interest. • Students reflections are vital for addressing any shortcomings.