Dr Siphesihle Nqweniso received the Early Career Award for Research at the 2024 Scholarly Spotlight award ceremony of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Nelson Mandela University. This award is made to academics with five or less years’ experience within this Faculty and recognises the scholarly excellence shown by the staff member.

The UNESCO Chair Team congratulates her on this outstanding personal achievement, which has had both an academic impact at her home university and a social impact, enabling the project team, for example, to redesign playgrounds and renovate facilities as part of the Siyaphakama Zwide Schools project, such as this project here: 'Siyaphakama Jungle Gym Revamp'.

Or a project in collaboration with architecture students from the Department of Architecture at Nelson Mandela University on digital proposals (pictures attached to this news) for a movement-friendly, safe and inclusive school environment. The project taught students about design and construction and emphasised the importance of community engagement, ethical responsibility, and the creation of inclusive environments. This partnership between faculties created a holistic educational experience, bridging the gap between space design and human weel-being. Architecture students learned to apply theoretical concepts to practical designs, while Biokinetics students contributed to the understanding of how design influences physical and emotional well-being. This holistic approach to education enriched the students' academic journey and prepared them for future challenges in their professional careers.

For further questions: Dr Jean-Pierre Basson, ( jpbasson@cluttermandela.ac.za), HOD of the Department of Architecture, NMU.