Participating Colleges

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is the oldest university in South Africa

.A public university, UCT is located in the Western Cape province.

UCT’s recruitment yielded over 100 applicants, with more than 60 coming from Harry Gwala High School in Cape Town. Additional high schools included the African Leadership Academy (Johannesburg), Norman Henshilwood, Thandokhulu High School and Zola Business School.

The UCT program lasted one week and included content within the health and rehabilitation sciences, engineering, and commerce. All tracks were designed to provide the students with increased knowledge, practical skills development and an understanding of the career options within these fields.

At a glance, the LEAD Global UCT program provided students:
  • The opportunity to learn cooperatively as part of a culturally diverse team: all students participated in various group projects, intermingling with other cultures/heritages while working productively together to develop final presentations.
  • A forum to acknowledge their own accomplishments and recognize those of their peers: a student-run closing awards/graduation ceremony served to further empower young learners.
  • A fireside chat with corporate executives from JPMorgan that engaged students in informal corporate setting discussions.
  • Access to experts and exposure to challenges unique to the design and construction of the 2010 World Cup stadium.
  • Advice and collaboration from the Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation (SHAWCO), a dynamic student-run NGO that strives to improve the quality of life in developing communities local to UCT.

2010 World Cup Involvement:

Students visited Cape Town’s World Cup soccer stadium in Greenpoint and experienced the stadium first-hand in its building stages. From there, the engineering track was given the task of designing and building a "2010 World Cup Soccer Stadium of Dreams" for the city of Cape Town as their final project and presentation. Each team received a pack of miniature bricks, stadium seating, flood lights, etc. with which to physically build their stadium. The stadium designs were required to meet the FIFA standards of an international stadium; to hold a capacity of 68,000 seats; to provide adequate transport and parking facilities; and to be structurally appealing. The exercise incorporated panel discussions with young graduates who are currently in the field of engineering.

A more in-depth look at the UCT experience:

Students participated in an interactive drumming "team building" activity, and were invited to view the Green Man Show, a critically acclaimed one-man performance on the history of Green Point Common. On Career Day, students heard from a variety of speakers including UCT International Programs Director Dr. Loveness Kaunda,JP Morgan’s Paul Burd and featured guest speaker Leigh Meinert, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA). Students split into groups of 30 and spent an hour in each of three career disciplines; Commerce, Engineering and Health Sciences. Career Day concluded with student performances and presentations, and small prizes were awarded to those groups who exhibited the most effective use of teamwork.

Students also visited Cape Town’s surrounding communities – an opportunity spearheaded by SHAWCO, as many of UCT’s students come from communities served by the organization. Staff members of the NGO spoke about the work they do locally and hosted an open mike session for participants to express their thoughts on the activities of the day.

Some of program highlights include:

Commerce

  • In class lectures included topics on accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, and the role of an actuary.
  • Final project theme centered on the 2010 World Cup. Students were charged with creating a business that would support the 2010 World Cup.
  • In class presentations given by Ernst and Young executives.

Engineering

  • Class lectures on various engineering disciplines including civil,electrical and chemical engineering, as well as computing and mechatronics.
  • Gumboot dancing activity with participants and dancers. Born in the Gold Mines it is an African Dance performed by dancers wearing boots.
  • Final project centered on the 2010 World Cup. Students were given materials and guidelines to build a stadium and created PowerPoint presentations for their stadium plans and goals.

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

  • Class lectures introduced topics in physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
  • Workshop included three local South African Physicians to discuss the choice of going into medicine.
  • Exposure to disabilities and rehabilitation Final project focused on persons with disabilities.

 

  

 

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