The world’s third-largest Distance Learning institution, (UNISA) (University of South Africa), recently took ownership of two fully-customised Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans that will take Distance Learning programmes to students living in remote rural areas.

Mandated and funded by the Department of Education to implement programmes that rapidly improve access to tertiary educational services in rural areas, (UNISA) issued a tender for the supply of two ‘mobile education units’ in March 2008.

According to Professor David Mosoma, Vice Principal of Student Affairs and Learner support at UNISA, the new mobile education units form part of phase one of a pilot project that will begin servicing some 50 000 UNISA learners in rural areas in Polokwane and North West Province.

“The two new Sprinter Vans will activate this ‘first-of-its-kind’ pilot project, a partnership between UNISA, the Department of Education, Stellenbosch University and Mercedes-Benz South Africa. Learners who previously struggled to access course material and attend lectures due to their remote geographical location will now have the University coming to them, delivering up-to-the-minute lectures and library material via the advanced communications technologies fitted in both Sprinter vans,” Prof Mosoma says.

Based on the standard Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 518CDI Panel Van, UNISA’s new mobile education units were converted into hi-tech learning centres by Bustruck, Gauteng-based specialist vehicle interior remodelers.

“The Vans come equipped with roof-mounted satellite dishes for broad-band internet connectivity and live video streaming. They each have 20 ‘thin-client’ Wi-Fi enabled laptops on board for students to access all the necessary learning material via UNISA’s MyUNISA website and e-library. Both vans have a large plasma TV screen fitted to the left side window, a public address system and tables and chairs to facilitate live outdoor lectures,” says Danie Langner, UNISA’s Manager of Finances and Operations (Midlands Region – North West Province) and Project Manager for the roll-out of the two mobile units.

The Vans have rugged aluminium-clad interiors and both are fitted with a water-closet. “Our brief was to ‘keep it simple’ but functional,” explains Bustruck’s Greg Ball. “The air-conditioned High-Roof Sprinter derivatives are designed to take the knocks delivered by rural application, but also to operate as fully functional mobile offices. Each Van tows a trailer carrying the tables and chairs, while super-silent on-board generators power the communications equipment, which includes printers and CD/DVD writers.”

“The 3-litre, V6 Sprinter 518CDI panel vans come standard with a host of safety features including enhanced braking and stability via ADAPTIVE ESP, ABS, ASR, EBD and Start-off Assist. The Common-rail diesel engine is rated Euro 4 and while offering class-leading power and torque, is extremely fuel efficient with low carbon emission levels,” says Nicolai Berger, Brand Manager, Mercedes-Benz Vans.

The vehicles, supported by a 4-year/160 000km CharterWay Service Plan and the extensive Mercedes-Benz dealer network throughout Southern Africa. These units are expected to travel some 30 000km per year, much of which will be on dirt roads. “We wanted a reliable and durable vehicle with solid service support. Mercedes-Benz has the products and the track record to meet our requirements and we look forward to a successful partnership as the project moves through its various phases,” says Langner.

The rear-wheel-drive chassis is designed to cope with high engine power and large payload variations. Its neutral steer or slight under steer provides good driver control. New transverse leaf springs made of new fibre reinforced materials, are used at the front and new parabolic springs are used at the rear.

The Sprinters are equipped as standard with a new-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP) known as ADAPTIVE ESP. In addition to the usual parameters, this system is now also able to determine the mass and the centre of gravity. This and other new functions allow ADAPTIVE ESP to intervene with even greater sensitivity and precision in critical situations.

Despite taking two years to complete, the new mobile education units will help revolutionise distance learning in South Africa, says Prof Mosoma. “These new vans go to the heart of our challenge to promote higher learning amongst our citizens in deep-lying areas. This phase of the pilot project will run for 12 months and we will track the performance statistics of all learners using these new facilities. Their success will help our partnership to develop new mobile units to extend the project across South Africa and north of our borders,” he concluded.