Event18 Jul 2025
Knowledge Exchange Forum: Water Access Solutions in Walmer
Join us for our quarterly forum where student research teams present findings alongside community partners on sustainable water access in the Walmer township.
Read moreHUB 5 OF CONVERGENCE
Knowledge
Creation & Application
Where university expertise meets community wisdom — co-constructing knowledge for a better Gqeberha and beyond.
500+Students
12Projects
8Communities
Hub 5 · Knowledge Creation & Application
Co-constructing
knowledge together
Hub 5 offers a dedicated space for students, staff, and project leaders to effectively engage in understanding meaningful conversations with surrounding communities through co-construction and collaboration.
Situated within Nelson Mandela University's Hubs of Convergence initiative, we bridge the gap between academic knowledge and lived community experience — creating solutions that are grounded, sustainable, and mutually beneficial.
Our work is aligned with Vision 2030: fostering inclusive student success and community development through reciprocal engagement that elevates both the university and its surrounding communities.
Founded
2018
Campus
NMU, Gqeberha
Focus
Community-Led
Approach
Transdisciplinary
HoC Vision
"Where the University meets the community to find solutions together."
— Prof. S. Muthwa
Our Foundation
Three guiding principles
Principle 01
Convergence
The conscious effort of drawing together internal and external stakeholders to unlock the knowledge and praxis that enable us to better engage on grander issues that affect our society.
Drawing Together
Principle 02
Reciprocity
The exchanging of co-created knowledge and resources through generosity, solidarity, co-creation, responsiveness, and inclusion for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.
Principle 03
Multiple Forms of Outputs
Embracing the uncertainty embedded in "not knowing" and supporting multiple forms of knowledge output to drive social inclusion and cohesion.
What We Do
Our focus areas
Six interconnected themes that guide our work in bridging university and community.
🤝
Co-construction of Knowledge
Building shared understanding between academic and community knowledge systems, recognising both as equally valid and valuable.
🌍
Community Collaboration
Forging deep partnerships with Gqeberha communities to address real challenges through sustained, respectful engagement.
🔬
Transdisciplinary Research
Bringing together multiple disciplines and community expertise to tackle complex societal issues that cross traditional boundaries.
🎓
Student Engagement
Empowering students to develop real-world skills through authentic community-based learning experiences and service-learning.
💡
Knowledge Application
Translating academic research and community insights into practical solutions that create measurable positive impact.
💬
Community Conversations
Facilitating structured dialogues that honour diverse voices and create safe spaces for honest, productive exchange.
Programs & Initiatives
How we engage
ActiveWorkshops
Community Knowledge Workshops
Monthly facilitated workshops bringing together community members and university researchers to share local knowledge and co-develop solutions to neighbourhood challenges.
Frequency
Monthly
Participants
40–60 per session
EnrollingResearch
Research Collaboration Projects
Structured 6-month collaborative research projects where students and community partners jointly investigate and address specific community-identified challenges.
Frequency
Bi-annual intake
Participants
Up to 8 teams
ActiveDialogues
Student-Community Dialogues
Structured conversation series enabling students to engage authentically with community leaders and residents, building mutual understanding and respect.
Frequency
Fortnightly
Participants
20–30 students
Next: Aug 2025Forums
Knowledge Exchange Forums
Quarterly open forums where Hub 5 project outcomes are shared, debated, and refined with a broad audience of community members, staff, and external partners.
Frequency
Quarterly
Participants
Open to all
Participate
Get involved
🎓
Learn through community
Earn credits, develop real-world skills, and make a meaningful impact by participating in Hub 5 community-engaged learning projects.
Apply as a StudentYour pathways
Enrol in service-learning modules
Join a community research team
Participate in dialogue sessions
Apply for Hub 5 internships
Community Voices
What they say
"Hub 5 gave me the opportunity to do research that actually matters to my community. My thesis addressed a real water access problem and the community co-authored the solutions."
Thabo Nkosi
Final Year Environmental Science Student
"As a community leader, I was always cautious about university involvement. Hub 5 changed that — they genuinely listen, and our people's knowledge is treated as equal to the professors'."
Nomsa Dlamini
Community Development Leader, Walmer
"The Knowledge Exchange Forums transformed how I teach. Hearing community members respond to our research in real time has made me a better academic and a more humble human being."
Dr Priya Reddy
Senior Lecturer, Social Sciences, NMU
"Our project secured funding because of the credibility that the Hub 5 partnership brings. The student research team helped us articulate our impact in ways that funders understand."
Sipho Mkhize
Project Leader, Ubuntu Youth Initiative
Latest
News & updates
News02 Jun 2025
Hub 5 Welcomes 24 New Student Researchers for 2025 Cohort
This year's cohort brings together students from Social Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences for cross-disciplinary community projects in Gqeberha.
Read more
Research15 May 2025
New Publication: Co-constructed Urban Agriculture Framework
Hub 5 researchers and Motherwell community partners publish a peer-reviewed framework for community-led urban agriculture, developed over 18 months of collaboration.
Read moreConnect
Get in touch
Location
Nelson Mandela University
Engagement Office Directorate
Bird Street Campus & North Campus
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa
Hub 5 Team
Director
Dr Bruce Damons
North Campus
Senior Manager
Oyama Soga
Bird Street Campus
Project Coordinator
Amy De Raedt
Bird Street Campus
Administrator
Nompilo Makamu
Bird Street Campus
Project Assistant
Phaello Tlhaku
Bird Street Campus