This paper reports the results of the temperature profile of the unheated and unstirred continuous fermenting bio-slurry in a fixed-dome Deenbandhu 2000 model. The digester is a brick-built system of bulk size 6 m3. The digester was monitored for eight months, measuring internal bio-slurry temperature. A K-type nickel chromium-nickel temperature sensor with a sensitivity of approximately 41 µV and response time of 0.8s in liquids was positioned at the centre of the digester to measure the slurry temperature. The sensor was connected to the data logger and programmed to record temperature readings every second for the entire study period. The study results reported give a clear indication about the reaction of bio-slurry temperature in the digester at a local level, particularly for the eight months’ period, which covered all seasons. The calculated values of the daily average temperature reveal that the digester was operating within the range of psychrophilic 10.32 and mesophilic 28.80 , although it sometimes operated at 35 and above during certain hours in summer. This study is useful for anaerobic digestion processes for biogas production. The results obtained can be used as a basis to estimate the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of digesters to reach an optimum temperature of mesophilic digesters.

The operational temperature of the biogas digester is the most critical parameter for optimum biogas production. Most household digesters are operated at ambient temperatures throughout the year. Biogas production rate increases with the increase of digester operational temperature. The present work focuses on developing a mathematical model to predict operating temperature from ambient temperature for underground built fixed dome Deenbandhu model digester. The operating or slurry temperature would then estimate the daily biogas production. Three fixed-dome underground brick-built biogas digesters of bulk size 6.0 m³ constructed following a fixed-dome Deenbandhu model in India were used to study the operational temperature. Thermocouples were fitted in each digester to measure operational temperature data. The statistical tool R-studio was then used to establish the relationship between the operational and air temperature based on this arrangement. The results of this work provide information on the prevailing operating temperature for underground biogas digester systems and hence biogas production rate. The results from the study have shown that there is a strong correlation between bio-slurry temperature and ambient air temperature. Second, the biogas production was computed based on the data of the predicted slurry temperature. It was found that as the temperature increases, the production rate also increases.

The educational institutions in South Africa face challenges in integrating crucial 21st-century skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation into their academic programs. Project-based learning (PBL) has emerged as a valuable approach to enhancing entrepreneurial education by developing these essential competencies through real-world applications. PBL effectively bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and practical problem-solving in real-life situations by involving students in practical, hands-on learning. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Project-Based Learning (PBL) in fostering entrepreneurial skills among first-year science students at a rural university. Using a mixed-methods approach, participants created and presented organic soaps, simulating authentic business processes. The study used purposive sampling, and student performance was evaluated by a panel based on specific criteria. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA, with data visualisation using Python's Matplotlib. The paper investigated whether the implementation of PBL significantly enhances students' entrepreneurial skills compared to traditional teaching methods. The study revealed that 210 students, mainly from schools with limited resources, faced challenges in practical chemistry despite prior instruction in Physical Sciences. The implementation of project-based learning proved to be an effective method for nurturing entrepreneurial skills, highlighting the importance of experiential learning. It is essential for higher education institutions to integrate entrepreneurship into their curricula, collaborate with industry, improve group dynamics, and prioritise quality control. These strategies have the potential to foster innovation and better prepare students for self-employment opportunities.

Increasing access to quality education in South Africa has led to a rise in enrollment by students from diverse backgrounds at higher education institutions. However, first-entering students transition from secondary school to higher education, and it is hypothesized that this will affect students psychologically, socially, and financially. Financially, many higher education students in South Africa rely on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This study investigates the relationship between students’ socioeconomic backgrounds and academic success at a South African university. A mixed-methods approach surveyed 74 first-year students in the Extended Curriculum Programme at the University of Venda, South Africa. Findings from regression and correlation analyses indicate that poor and low socio-economic backgrounds among Extended Curriculum Programme students significantly affect their academic performance and success. These findings challenge the notion that disadvantaged backgrounds necessarily hinder student achievement and emphasize the importance of creating an environment that supports students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Eight policy recommendations and strategies are provided to enhance student success and support for diverse socio-economic backgrounds in higher education institutions.

Energy is essential for the progress and development of nations. It must be reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly. Among the most promising renewable energy sources, biogas technology has been developed to secure the existing energy supply. However, there is a need for more scientific research on the optimal use and performance of biogas plants for beneficiaries and installers. This study investigated the chemical composition of cow dung and its specific heat capacity. The results show that elements such as Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, K2O, MgO, MnO, Na2O, P2O5, SiO2, and TiO2 have different chemical compositions. Furthermore, the results show that cow dung’s composition and oxide content affect its specific heat capacity. Dzwerani had the highest concentrations of Al2O3, Fe2O3, and SiO2. Since the oxide composition of the dung samples from Tshino, Maila, and Gogogo differed, their specific heat capacities were also different. The results of this study encourage further investigations to determine a more accurate relationship between specific heat capacity and oxide composition.

Teaching and learning in the contemporary era require technological or digital advancement. Various learning technologies offer a wide range of opportunities to enhance effective engagements between lecturers and students in institutions of higher learning. Consequently, this study explored the understanding of higher institutions in maximising the use of digital teaching and learning strategies to foster student success. In addition, the researchers investigated the proper provisioning of digital tools to successfully utilise online learning platforms. A total of 239 Science Foundation Students in the 2021 cohort participated in this study. A questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions regarding the availability of gadgets, university data provisions and network connectivity was administered. Results of this study revealed that 95 students had laptops while the rest used their smartphones, 52 students received university data during the investigation period and 186 managed to connect to the Internet mostly by utilising the universitys free Wi-Fi. These findings have significant implications for the development of effective planning prior to the implementation of digital teaching and learning. Furthermore, results showed reasonable students engagement regarding viewing quiz questions from the Modular Object-Orientated Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) platform and an infectiveness for the report posting exercises.