Prof Hugo Gabele hails from Hochschule Esslingen, University of Applied Sciences, Germany, in the Faculty of Automotive Engineering. His main areas of expertise are design, technical mechanics and combustion engines. His most recent area of work is the development of electrically powered light vehicles.

In history, “development” can be described as a chronological series of events and meetings which fall into place like they are meant to be. This is significant because when Prof Gabele enquired from his ex-student, Matti Lubkoll, about Stellenbosch University as a suitable destination for a sabbatical, a series of events lead to him finding himself in the right place at the right time. This coincidental meetings with people materialised into a three month sabbatical for him and the development of a project, “STEM Cycling”.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Cycling, which aims to bring awareness to young people from especially less advantaged backgrounds, introduces the characteristics of these academic disciplines while using familiar material (the bicycle) in a sensitising, practical way. The material, its history, components and mechanics allow practical learning, while the background, age of scholars and the conditions under which teaching and learning are taking place are considered. Together with Carinus Lemmer (a former racing cyclist from Stellenbosch) and Gronum Smith, the three have collaborated and researched to demonstrate that learning, and the way young people are taught about these academic disciplines, are equally important.

We wish Prof Gabele a successful, yet relaxing sabbatical at Stellenbosch University and thank him for the valuable contribution he is making to South African teaching and learning.