On Monday, 4 September, learners from the Msinga rural area in Kwa Zulu Natal travelled to the University of Pretoria thanks to the EBIT Faculty and BIGEN Africa. The next day, the Faculty hosted the learners on campus and exposed them to all EBIT programmes. Ms Ashnee Kara, Group Human Capital Development Manager of BIGEN Africa, stated that their slogan is ‘doing good while doing business’ and that their engineers have a heart for the community. This is evident in their continued sponsorship of the Faculty, especially for the EBIT Week.

The learners had the opportunity to visit the University as part of the Maths Clinic which is an initiative of the South African Youth into Engineering Programme (SAYEP). This programme is steered by Dr Dudu Mkhize who holds a PhD in Mathematics Education. Dr Mkhize is fondly and widely known for her work in the engineering student environment.

Through the SAYEP programme, these learners are given access to technological and professional careers requiring a strong basis in mathematics and science which would otherwise have been impossible. Dr Mkhize proudly stated that since the start of the SAYEP intervention, these learners’ marks have on average improved from 30% to 70%. It is encouraging to see how learners from rural areas with few resources can improve their marks with only a helping hand and a bit of motivation.

These Grade 12 learners were humbled by the experience and look forward to joining UP next year. Dr Dudu Mkhize thanked the Faculty and BIGEN Africa for giving these learners the chance of a lifetime. She said that although the learners might not easily express their appreciation, she knows that they are appreciative and that this is an experience they will never forget.