As part of the project, the University’s Hubs of Convergence (HoC) and the Engagement Office recently hosted a workshop for the Office’s staff, the engagement and transformation portfolio and community practitioners at the Ocean Sciences Campus.
Back from left, Afika Dotye, Jonathan Joseph, Qhawe Mbongwe, Yolanda Magugu, Azole Nyamakazi, Nompilo Makamu, Lehlohonolo Molahlehi and Likhanyile Kunene. Front, Peter Mongameli (community practitioner and stakeholder), Phaello Thlaku, Mike Pantsi (community practitioner and stakeholder), Dr Bruce Damons, (Director of Engagement Office and HoC).
Guided by the Language Policy and Vision 2030, the project aims to develop multilingual resources, strengthen inclusive communication, and enhance the linguistic engagement capacity of staff, students, and external stakeholder-communities.
Given Gqeberha’s linguistic diversity, the project prioritises isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans as working languages.
A multilingual glossary of engagement terms and tools is being developed to promote shared understanding, laying the foundation for continued collaboration and capacity-building toward a culture of linguistic inclusivity.
The HoC within the Engagement Office has received funding from the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) to focus on the language of engagement.
The project forms part of a broader institutional initiative administered through the Office of the DVC: Learning and Teaching and overseen by the Faculty of Humanities.