Eight learners accompanied by three staff members from Kansas University’s (KU) Trio programmes’ Upward Bound initiative visited SciMathUS in July. The learners, who are in grades 10-12 in secondary schools in and around Kansas (USA), attended classes with the SciMathUS students and explored Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the campus. They were selected from a pool of 90 learners who form part of this programme. SU’s Chemistry Department also hosted the students for a laboratory session in titrations and formation. This gave the students good exposure to practical work in chemistry.
Dr Ngondi Kamatuka, Director of the Center for Educational Opportunity Programs in the Achievement and Assessment Institute at KU said that the staff and students from KU had a positive experience at Stellenbosch University. “The highlights of our visit were students exchanging and sharing their educational experiences with each other and realizing that even though there are differences, education is the key to upward mobility, and leads to success in life. Our scholars enjoyed the opportunity of participating in classes.”
The visit formed part of a long-term partnership between KU and SUNCEP to connect students in their programmes with each other. It also served as an opportunity for both centers’ staff to build relationships and exchange knowledge. Paul van Vollenhoven of SUNCEP was excited about the visit and said that a visit to KU is planned for next year. Kamatuka agreed: “Visiting Stellenbosch University and having conversations with our colleagues have opened a range of opportunities for collaboration, that we will definitely pursue. We are very much interested in having students from SUNCEP visit our programmes at KU.”
The visitors said that their experience of Stellenbosch University was life changing for their scholars and staff who have never visited Africa or any other continent or country. “We felt very much appreciated and welcomed by Stellenbosch University. We felt at home.”
Jeffrey H Mcdaniel, representative of John Deere (Lawrence, Kansas, USA), participated in the visit and fully immersed himself in the weeklong programme. He also took the opportunity to meet with various SU departments to discuss international trends in the agricultural sector. One of the notable visits was with the Dean of Agri-Sciences, Prof Danie Brink. John Deere annually contributes to the various programmes facilitated by The Center for Educational Opportunity Programmes at Kansas University.
Photo: Ilze Gous (left) and Paul van Vollenhoven (right) of SUNCEP with staff and students from Kansas University.
