Abstract
The primary focus of engineering curricula is
technical competence. However, literature suggests that a common
shortcoming of engineering graduates pertains to so-called ‘softer’
skills such as leadership, team work, time management and
communication. Although not core to engineering activity, these
competencies are important in the workplace and included in the
exit level outcomes of accredited degrees. Development of these
competencies can occur by giving engineering students the
opportunity of involvement in extra-curricular projects that
develop such complementary competencies. This paper discusses
the Jozi Digital Ambassadors Project as one such opportunity. The
project was launched by the City of Johannesburg, and aimed to
roll-out free Wi-Fi to 700 000 Johannesburg residents who
previously had no access to free public internet. A further aim was
to provide training to these residents regarding how to access the
free Wi-Fi and the online services offered by the City. ‘Digital
Ambassadors’, unemployed young people who reside in the areas
concerned, were appointed to undertake this training on behalf of
the City. The University of Johannesburg, tasked with providing
mentorship to these ambassadors, identified engineering students
who were appointed as mentors. Structured interviews with the
mentors were conducted at different stages of the project. The
focus of the interviews was on the students’ motivation to
participate in the project and their skills development. The
development of complementary competencies was one of the
factors that motivated the students to join the project and their
involvement in the Digital Ambassadors project gave them
opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills in a
way that the formal university curriculum did not.