The Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University of Pretoria implemented from 2005 a new compulsory module, Community-Based Project (code:JCP), for all undergraduates.

The community based module is a credit bearing education experience where students are not only actively engaging in interpersonal skill development but also participate in service activities in collaboration with community partners. Students are given the opportunity to practice and develop their interpersonal skills formally taught in the module by engaging in teamwork with fellow students from different disciplines and also with non-technical members of the community. The module intends for the student to develop, through reflection, understanding of their own experience in a team-based workspace as well as a broader understanding of the application of their discipline knowledge and its potential impact in their communities in this way also enhancing their sense of civic responsibility. 

Awards and prizes

2010: The JCP-module was one of the finalists for the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship.

2014: Marketing Advancement & Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Award in the Category: Integrated campaigns/projects and subcategory: Social responsibility citizenship development

2015: University of Pretoria: Community Engagement Award

2015: Group 101 2014 YouTube a finalist for the ASEE Community Engagement Division Film Festival

2016: University Education for Transformative Leadership in Africa Mini-Grant

2017: Shortlisted Global Engineers Deans Council Airbus Diversity Award