SACDA Appoints UKZN SAEF Dean as Vice-Chair
Professor Mabutho Sibanda (first left on the front row), with SACDA members at one of the meetings of the association.The Dean and Head of the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance in the College of Law and Management Studies, Professor Mabutho Sibanda, has been appointed as Vice-Chairperson of the South African Commerce Dean’s Association (SACDA).
SACDA is a networking body that brings together deans of commerce from all South African universities to discuss a range of commerce issues; from sharing best academic offerings and practices to building relationships and fostering collaborations among the different institutions through research and teaching.
Commenting on his appointment, Sibanda said: ‘Having been a member of SACDA for two and a half years, this is truly a humbling appointment and an opportunity for me to serve and contribute to the advancement of the South African commerce discipline.
‘I have never believed in working in silos and this opportunity allows me to associate with like-minded people with the same end goal to share notes and work together mapping a positive way forward, not only to the benefit of the commerce faculty but South African universities as a whole,’ he added.
Sibanda said with the world being in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the association had plans to incorporate digitisation into the curriculum, not only to keep up as a country, but to introduce an environment that was conducive for minds in a digital age.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Ucwaningo Lobudokotela Lugqugquzele Umkhankaso Wezenhlanzeko Yabesifazane
UDkt Yvette Ehlers Smith nabenza iziqu zobudokotela uNksz Mbalenhle Sosibo, uNksz Samke Ngcobo noNksz Thobeka Gumede benza ucwaningo.Click here for English version
Ngenkathi ematasa enza ucwaningo ngokufuduka kwezinsingizi KwaZulu-Natali, umfundi wezifundo zobudokotela waqaphela ukuntuleka kwezindlu ezincane nokokwezenhlanzeko yabesifazane ezikoleni nasemakhaya, okwamkhuthaza ukuthi aqale umkhankaso wokusiza abantu besifazane abancane baseNingizimu Afrika.
Igama lakhe wu-Dkt Yvette Ehlers Smith we-Department of Science and Technology (DST) – National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (CIKS) ne-School of Life Sciences.
U-Ehlers Smith ubeye kwi-National Geographic Explorers Festival ebise-London mhla wesi-7 kuya mhla we-12 kuNhlolanja. Kulo mgubho abebambe iqhaza kuwo bathole ithuba lokuhlangana nozakwabo babamba iqhaza kwi-Science-telling Boot camp, bagabisa ngemisebenzi yabo esigcawini balalela ongoti abahlonishwayo. Abacwaningi bacijwe ngokuthi bawusabalalisa kanjani umsebenzi wabo, baxhumane kanjani nozakwabo baseYurophu nase-Afrika nokuthi bayethule kanjani imisebenzi yabo.
Abebebambe iqhaza balalele ongoti ngezinto ezintsha, bezwa ngemibono emisha nangezixazululo ezidingeka ukwakha umhlaba ongaxabani.
U-Ehlers Smith ubethathe lolu hambo njengesimenywa se-National Geographic exhase ucwaningo lwakhe ngezinsingizi ezihlala ngaphandle kwezindawo ezivikelwe KwaZulu-Natali. Umsebenzi wakhe ugxile kokuthinta iqhaza labantu nokuthi izinkolelo zikuthinta kanjani ukuphila kwalezi zinyoni ezindaweni ezitholakala kuzo, waphinde wabheka nokuhamba kwezinsingizi esebenzisa ubuchwepheshe bezipopolo ukubheka ukuthi ziphila kanjani ezindaweni ezigcwele abantu.
Bathathu abanye abafundi abenza iziqu zobudokotela kulo mkhakha abakhona kulolu cwaningo, kanti bangoNksz Thobeka Gumede, uNksz Samke Ngcobo, noNksz Mbalenhle Sosibo.
Kubuye kwavela engqungqutheleni ukuthi ngenkathi u-Ehlers Smith enza ucwaningo ngezinsingizi nabantu basezindaweni zasemakhaya, wacacelwa enye into; okuwukusweleka kwezindlu ezincane nezenhlanzeko yabesifazane ezikoleni nasemakhaya awavakashela.
Wabuza abantu besifazane namantombazane bendawo ukuthi benzenjani uma besesikhathini njengoba bengenayo indlela yokulahla okwezenhlanzeko yabesifazane osekusebenzile.
Ngenxa yokubona isidingo sokwezenhlanzeko yabesifazane okusebenziseka kaningi nokwangaphansi kwabesifazane okusha, u-Ehlers Smith wethula umkhankaso we-Safe & San ngenkathi eqhubeka nocwaningo ayevele elwenza ngezinsingizi.
Ngalo mbhidlango ukwazile ukucela iminikelo yezenhlanzeko yabesifazane eziphinde zisebenziseke nezimpahla zangaphansi ezintsha ngethemba lokuthi abantu besifazane basemakhaya bayogcina bekwazi ukuzenzela okwabo, babe namabhizinisi enza lo msebenzi.
U-Ehlers Smith uhlela ukuphindela emiphakathini ethinteka ocwaningweni lakhe ukuzwa imibono yayo ngocwaningo lwakhe kepha futhi nangezimpahla ezinikeliwe.
Kulabo abafisa ukunikela, u-Ehlers Smith uhlele amabhokisi ophikweni lwaseMgungundlovu lwase-UKZN kanti futhi iminikelo ingathunyelwa kuSolwazi Coleen Downs, uSihlalo we-South African Research in Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, enamahhovisi kulolu phiko.
Olunye ucwaningo olwenziwa u-Ehlers Smith lwalugxile emandleni okusebenza komhlaba ekongiweni kwemvelo, ikakhulukazi ezilwaneni. Wavela ohlelweni lwethelevishini i-50/50 ekhuluma ngempunzi eluhlaza okusasibhakabhaka njengoba yayiphatheka ocwaningweni lwakhe lwezifundo zobudokotela kanti unethemba lokuthi umsebenzi wakhe uzogqugquzela abanye abantu ukuthi balondoloze lezi zindawo ezingandile okuhlala kuzo indathane yezinhlobo zezinyoni.
Umbhali: nguChristine Cuénod
Izithombe: Zithunyelwe nguMbalenhle Sosibo noYvette Ehlers Smith
author : .author email : .Ababengabafundi Eshashalazini
Owayengumfundi waseUKZN, uMnu Phumelela Msomi, noyise kanye nomeluleki wakhe, uMnu Zwe Msomi.Click here for English version
I-UKZNdabaOnline izoba nochungechunge olubizwa nge-Spotlight on Alumni, lapho ababengabafundi base-UKZN bezoxoxa khona ngempilo nempumelelo yabo.
Owayengumfundi wokuqala esizombeka eshashalazini wumlobi ovuthiwe nongumethuli wezinkulumo ezakhayo uMnu Phumelela Msomi. Intatheli yeUKZNdabaOnline, uRaylene Captain-Hasthibeer, ikhulume naye.
UMB: Usebenzise ulwazi lwakho owaluzuza ngokwenza iziqu ze-BCom Kwezokuhlelwa Kwamabhuku Ezimali e-UKZN ukungena emkhakheni wokuba wusomabhizinisi, umlobi nomethuli wezinkulumo ezakhayo. Wenza ngani?
IMP: Imfihlo yami ilele ekufiseni. Kufanele ube nezifiso bese kuthi nsuku zonke wenze okusemandleni ukuzifeza. Kuba nezinselelo endleleni kodwa kufanele ukhumbule ukuthi zikhona ukukuqinisa ukhakhayi. Ungesabi noma ubalekele izinselelo, kepha kumele uphokophele ukuthi zikukhulise. Ngaphezu kwalokho kumqoka ukwenza into oyithandayo. Abantu abaningi benza iphutha lokujaha umholo kanti uma ulandela into oyithandayo awusoze wadumala.
UMB: Ibhizinisi lakho lokuqala wawusewumfundi e-Westville campus e-UKZN. Awuthi qaphu qaphu kwenzeka kanjani?
IMP: Nakuba ngangiwumfundi Wezokuhlelwa Kwamabhuku Ezimali kodwa ngangisebenza kanzima ukusungula nebhizinisi lezimboni. Ekhaya kwakunebhizinisi lokwakha. Ngangenza umsebenzi wokuba yiso kwezokwakha. Ngakwazi ukuthola umsebenzi, ngesekwa wonjiniyela ukwenza imisebenzi. Emva kwalokho ngasebenza ngokubambisana nenkampani enkulu yezokwakha e-New Germany, okwanginika umsebenzi wokubiya wezigigidi zamarandi. Amathuba amaningi avela kulowo msebenzi. Ibhizinisi lami manje selidayisa, lenze izimpahla zokubiya kumakhasimende asekhaya nawaphesheya.
UMB: Yisiphi iseluleko ongasinika osomabhizinisa abasafufusa?
IMP: Ukuba wusomabhizinisi akusiwo umsebenzi kodwa yimpilo yemihla ngemihla. Akusikho ukuthi ungatholani kodwa wukuthi ungaba wubani. Ngikhuthaza osomabhizinisi abasafufusa ukuthi baqale bazithuthukise bona ngaphambi kokuqala ibhizinisi. Imfihlo yokuba wusomabhizinisi wukuqale uzithuthukise wena ngoba kuthinta umnyombo webhizinisi lakho, okunguwe uqobo. Funda ukuqale uzilungise wena kunokulungisa ibhizinisi lakho; lokhu kuyokwenza izinto zibe lula ebhizinisini.
UMB: Wenza umsebenzi omningi wokusiza abantu abaswele. Sixoxele ukuthi unikela kanjani emphakathini?
IMP: Ngisungule umfundaze kanti kumanje ngifundisa abafundi ababili e-Durban High School. Ngiyanikela nasesontweni nasekuqhubeni umsebenzi wenkonzo.
UMB: Zithini izinhlelo zakho ngekusasa?
IMP: Inhloso yami wukukhulisa ibhizinisi, lifinyelele emhlabeni wonke. Ngihlela ukuxoxisana nezinhlangano, ngibhale izincwadi ukusiza abantu ukuthi bazi baphilelani. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngihlela ukuthi kube mnandi ukwenza konke lokho.
Isithombe: Sithunyelwe
author : .author email : .Wenza Iziqu Zobudokotela Engilandi Ngenxa Yomfundaze Osezingeni Eliphezulu
UNksz Refilwe Mofokeng weSikole Sezifundo Ngokuphilayo e-UKZN. Click here for English version
UNksz Refilwe Mofokeng weSikole Sezifundo Ngokuphilayo owenza iziqu zobudokotela uzohlala izinyanga ezimbili eNyuvesi yase-Birmingham esebenza nowayengumfundi wase-UKZN, uDkt u-Holly Nel, ohlelweni lwesayensi ethinta ukungcolisa kukaplastiki ngosizo lomfundaze osezingeni eliphezulu we-Association of Commonwealth Universities (i-ACU).
UMofokeng, osanda kuhlangana ne-Duchess of Sussex ngenkathi inkosazana yasebukhosini ivakashele i-ACU, une-diploma yobunjiniyela kwezezimayini yase-Richtech e-Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natali, azilamanisa ngeqhuzu i-Bachelor of Science neziqu ze-Honours zaseNyuvesi yase-Zululand (e-UNIZULU).
Wenza iziqu zeMastazi e-UNIZULU, eNyuvesi i-Siena e-Italy, nasemaNyuvesi i-Leiden ne-Delft e-Netherlands ngaphambi kokuba enze uqeqesho e-UKZN aqale nezifundo zobudokotela egxile ebuthini bukaplastiki nokubheka isihlava soplastiki.
UMofokeng uhlola umphumela wokuhlobana phakathi kukaplastiki nezinsimbi kanye nezinga lokungcolisa kukaplastiki emtateni waseThekwini. Inhloso yakhe wukubona indima edlalwa uplastiki ekusabalaleni kokungcola kwensimbi ezilwaneni ezihlala ngaphansi kwamanzi nokuqonda ukuthi zibuthinta kanjani ubuhlobo nabantu.
UMofokeng uthi lo mfundaze umenza akwazi ukuqinisa iqhaza lakhe emsebenzini womphakathi wokulwa nokungcolisa kukaplastiki, ikakhulukazi ngaphansi kwamanzi. Wethemba ukuthi isikhathi azosihlala e-Birmingham sizombonisa izindlela ezintsha nezongayo zokuhlaziya ukungcolisa kukaplastiki emvelweni, ikakhulukazi e-Afrika.
Uthe: ‘Njengoba isihloko sezinhlayiya zikaplastiki sisanda kugqama emkhakheni wesayensi yezemvelo, inhloso yami wukusabalalisa umphumela wezinhlayiya zikaplastiki ngeso labantu base-Afrika ukuze kube nezisombululo esizithathayo, sizisebenzise ezwenikazini lethu.’
UMofokeng, onomlando endimeni yezobuthi bamanzi, unothando ngemiphumela yezinto ezingcolisa amanzi, ikakhulukazi ukuqonda iqhaza likaplastiki nezinye izinto ezingcolisayo njengasezindaweni ezingcole kakhulu njengasemitateni.
UMofokeng, okholelwa ekufundiseni ngobungozi bokungcolisa imvelo kukaplastiki nowasungula inhlangano engenzi nzuzo, i-Refilwe Matlotlo ngonyaka wama-2016, ukholwa wukuthi isimo sesingconywana. Emsebenzini wenhlangano yakhe bavame ukuhlanza amabhishi kufundiswa umphakathi ngobubi bukaplastiki emvelweni, nathi sekulethe umehluko omkhulu endleleni abantu ababheka imvelo ngayo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, uthi izinkampani nezitolo ezinkulu seziyaweseka umkhankaso wokunciphisa ukusebenzisa uplastiki njengasezintweni zokumunca iziphuzo namabhelunde.
UMofokeng usanda kwethula inkomishi ephinde isebenziseke; eyaba nedumela elikhulu ezisebenzini ophikweni lweZifundo Ngokuphilayo. Inhlangano yakhe, ngokubambisana nethimba elihlanzayo, iqhamuke nendlela yokugaya iphepha noplastiki ukuze kuphinde kusebenze eMnyangweni asebenza kuwo kanti inhloso wukuthi lolu hlelo lugcine selusabalele i-UKZN yonke kulo nyaka.
Amagama: nguChristine Cuénod
Isithombe: Sithunyelwe nguNksz Refilwe Mofokeng
author : .author email : .Clinical Anatomy Honours Body Donors
Future body donor, Mrs Yvonne Luvono, flanked by UKZN Clinical Anatomy staff.The 2019 annual Dedication Ceremony held by the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy was attended by families of previous body donors, potential body donors, religious leaders, Anatomy Department staff and second-year Medical students to honour those who donated their bodies for medical training and research purposes at UKZN.
‘This year, we invited our second-year Medical students whose curriculum includes dissection,’ said Anatomy lecturer, Dr Carmen Rennie.
‘We want them to understand the importance of Anatomy, the sacrifice made by the body donors and the importance of respecting cadavers,’ said Rennie.
Future body donor, Mrs Yvonne Luvono, said the stigma surrounding body donation was rife. ‘It is indeed a sensitive issue and is frowned upon by some. However, I believe that education on the importance of body donations is vital.’
Luvono agreed to donate her body for medical research and training as she feels it is a good way of giving back to the community.
‘I had a lot lot community development ideas in mind but unfortunately I couldn’t pursue them due to old age and ill health. Now, the least I can do is to contribute towards community upliftment by donating my body,’ said 70-year-old Luvono.
Said Associate Professor and lecturer, Lelika Lazarus, ‘This year our focus as a Department of Anatomy will be on increasing awareness about our body donor programme. We want the community to know more about the importance of this work and how vital it is for medical training and research.’
For more information about the body donor programme contact Mr Celumusa Mbokazi on 031 260 7388 or email: bodydonation@ukzn.ac.za
Words: Lihle Sosibo
author : .author email : .Isifundiswa Siqokelwe Kwesokuba YiNxusa Locwaningo eNyuvesi YaseJalimane
USolwazi Rozena Maart oqokelwe esikhundleni sokuba yi-International Research Ambassador e-University of Bremen yaseJalimane.Click here for English version
USolwazi Rozena Maart, ofundisa e-School of Social Sciences, uqokelwe esikhundleni sokuba yi-International Research Ambassador e-University of Bremen yaseJalimane.
USolwazi Maart uthe: ‘Ave emancane amanyuvesi emhlabeni analezi zikhundla zezifundiswa, kanti ngenxa yalokho asivamile ukuzwa ngazo. Kuyinto enkulu kimi ngempela. Lokhu kuwukuhlonipha igalelo lami emisebenzini eminingi yocwaningo engiyenzile ezingeni lomhlaba, negalelo lami ngezithangami nezigcawu engizenze e-University of Bremen.’
Njengenxusa locwaningo leminyaka emihlanu ezayo, uMaart uzoqhakambisa i-University of Bremen e-UKZN nasesifundeni sase-Afrika eseningizimu. Uzohlela imicimbi yalamanyuvesi womabili, ahlanganise abacwaningi ukuthi basizane ngezinto zokusebenza, afake nezitshudeni ezenza iziqu eziphakeme, ahlele izithangami zocwaningo phakathi kwezikhungo zombili.
Uthe: ‘Lokhu kusho ukuthi kudingeka ngihlele kahle abacwaningi abakhona phakathi kwalezi zikhungo zombili, ngithuthukise ukubambisana kwezocwaningo. Ukubambisana kuyingxenye yamanyuvesi womabili ekuthuthukiseni ezemfundo, okubalwa nokushicilelwa kwamabhuku kukho. Okunye wukuthi kumqoka ukuqhakambisa igama le-UKZN kanti lokhu, njengomuntu owayesebenza e-UKZN, wumsebenzi wami engiwenzayyo nothakaselwayo.’
UMaart unejoka lokuqinisa amaxhama okuxhumana phakathi kwe-UKZN ne-Bremen.
UMaart wazalelwa e-District Six, e-Cape Town, wakhulela khona ngaphambi kokuba basuswe ngenkani neminye imindeni ecela enkulungwaneni eyasuswa wuhulumeni wobandlululo ngasekuqaleni kweminyaka yama-1970.
Ibanga leshumi walenza e-Steenberg High School, wabe esedlulela phambili ukuyokwenza iziqu zakhe e-University of the Western Cape e-Cape Town, lapho azuza khona iziqu ze-Master’s e- University of York eNgilandi neziqu zobudokotela e-Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies e-University of Birmingham e-United Kingdom.
Phakathi kwezinto azizuzile kubalwa ukuqokwa kwakhe ngonyaka wezi-1987 eqokelwa ukuba ngoweSifazane oVelele ngenxa yokuba ngowokuqala ukuqala inhlangano elwela amalungelo abantu besifazane abamnyama eNingizimu Afrika, i-Women Against Repression.
Washicilela incwadi yakhe yokuqala eneminyaka engama-27 e-Toronto, e-Canada, kwathi eminyakeni emithathu elandelayo wahlabana ngomklomelo i-The Journey Prize: Best Short Fiction e-Canada.
UMaart unezincwadi ezintathu nezinye eziningi emgodleni alungiselela ukuzishicilela. Uthi: ‘Zonke izincwadi esengike ngazibhala ziklonyelisiwe, zadla ubhedu ezindaweni ezehlukene emhlabeni.’
UMaart useke wasebenzisana nezinjululwazi kwi-UNESCO, bakhiqiza incwadi yokuqala i-South-South Philosophy ngonyaka wama-2014. Umsebenzi wakhe omningi ugxile ekuzigqajeni ngobumnyama, ukuhlaziywa kwezomqondo nomkhakha we-Philosophy obizwa nge-Derrida and deconstruction.
Ngonyaka wama-2016, wathola umklomelo wokuba yisithwalandwe kwezenjululwazi i-William R Jones eklonyeliswa yinhlangano i-Philosophy Born of Struggle.
UMaart ubhala izincwadi azisusela ekhanda kanti ukubhala kuyimpilo kuye. ‘Akubuzwa ukuthi ubulili nobuhlanga kuseqhulwini kuwo wonke umsebenzi wami,’ kusho yena.
Umbhali: nguMelissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .UKZN Specialist All Set for US Study Trip
Dr Sipho Duncan Ntshalintshali who will attend the Advanced Course in Basic and Clinical Immunology in the US. UKZN specialist physician Dr Sipho Duncan Ntshalintshali, has been chosen by the Gender Equality and Career Development Committee (GEC) of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) to attend the Advanced Course in Basic and Clinical Immunology offered by the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) in California in the United States in March.
This course will provide an in depth review of the latest developments in immunology relating to human immune-mediated diseases. New technologies and novel therapies in the field of clinical immunology and immunotherapy will also form part of this course.
The intensive educational and networking course emphasises mechanisms of human disease and scientific underpinnings of new immune therapies. This course covers the major topics in cellular and molecular immunology, including innate immunity, B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, cytokines and mucosal immunity.
Cuban trained Ntshalintshali (35) of Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal is Acting Head of Department for Internal Medicine at the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital and one of very few specialist physicians in the province.
He attained his Medical degree at UKZN Medical School with support from the Cuban Government.
In 2018, he completed his fellowship in the College of Physicians of South Africa Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) through UKZN. He also obtained his Masters’ Degree in Internal Medicine (MMed) at UKZN last year.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
author : .author email : .UKZN’s 2018 Medical Specialist Graduates Feted
Highlights from the gathering where newly-qualified UKZN medical specialists were honoured.UKZN’s College of Health Sciences hosted a registrar awards evening at Umhlanga honouring specialists who successfully completed their final clinical examinations with the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) and those who graduated with Master in Medicine (MMed) degrees.
The event was aimed at celebrating 65 new specialists, seven new sub-specialists and 95 MMed graduates.
Addressing the gathering, Academic Leader of the Registrar Training Programme Dr Suvira Ramlall said the event recognised the important contribution of the postgraduate medical training platform in the College. ‘Registrars are required to work full-time and overtime while pursuing their postgraduate studies. We are here to salute them for their invaluable contribution to medical specialist service delivery in our province as well as their academic roles. Rarely is the success of these pillars of our specialist health services acknowledged or celebrated,’ said Ramlall.
Special awards went to South Africa’s first African female Cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Lindiwe Sidali; UKZN’s first African Neurologist, Dr Mahlubonke Dlwati, and UKZN’s first female Gynae-Oncologist, Dr Atisha Maharaj.
Good fellows were nominated by their peers and the top three MMED research projects were also identified for prizes.
Dean and Head of the School of Clinical Medicine at UKZN, Professor Ncoza Dlova congratulated all the graduates and award winners. Dlova encouraged the development of a culture of collaboration, partnerships and giving back to society. Because the opportunity to specialise was restricted to 100 doctors each year across almost 30 specialties; it was important that this investment benefitted the public and academic sectors and that young graduates “paid it forward”.
The guest of honour was Dr Vuyane Mhlomi who studied Medicine at the University of Cape Town and completed his PhD at the University of Oxford.
In 2017, Mhlomi was selected by the University for Poets & Quants – an award for the top 100 most promising MBA graduates in the world. Sharing his humble and inspiring journey of success, he challenged young graduates to keep searching and working hard, and to be relentless and unapologetic in pursuit of excellence. ‘They should not rest until people’s lives have been improved,’ he said.
The awards evening also celebrated the success and benefits of public-private partnerships.
Investec, which hosted the event, committed to growing its investment in medical education at UKZN.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
author : .author email : .US College & UKZN Explore Partnership
Highlights from the meet and greet between UKZN and Medgar Evers College.In an effort to strengthen international partnerships, academics and students from the Medgar Evers College of the City University in New York visited South Africa and spent time at UKZN where they met academics from the School of Management, IT and Governance (SMIG).
On their arrival at the University, the group was welcomed by Public Admin Honours students at the School who acted as UKZN ambassadors; escorting delegation members during meet and greet sessions.
Acting Dean of the School, Professor Stephen Mutula, welcomed the delegation, emphasising UKZN’s mission to strive for excellence, be innovative and ensure that research was impactful.
‘I hope this visit spurs the identification of collaborative research projects that academics from both institutions can enter into and in turn assist in developing the School’s curriculum through co-creation,’ he said.
Student Exchange/Study Abroad Co-ordinator, Ms Preshantha Reddy and Principal International Advisor Ms Tasmeera Singh, spoke on UKZN’s International Relations Office, the Study Abroad Programme and the Student Exchange Programme.
Closing the meeting, senior lecturer at the School, Dr Fayth Ruffin, said she was happy that Durban and UKZN were now on the Global Linkages’ radar because for years, visiting groups had been taken to only Cape Town and Johannesburg. This innovation marked a new dawn for UKZN.
Both parties welcomed the new areas identified for a prospective partnership. They agreed that they would work towards finding ways to develop students and staff, establish collaborative networks, cultural exchange programmes, and create international opportunities.
The day’s events ended with a tour around the campus.
Words and photographs: Lungile Ngubelanga
author : .author email : .Thuthuka Bursaries for UKZN BCom Accounting Students
Thuthuka Bursary Fund recipients and UKZN Programme Manager, Ms Hlengiwe Ndlela, during Orientation Week.After a rigorous review process by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance (SAEF) has welcomed 15 Thuthuka Bursary Fund (TBF) recipients into its Accounting programme.
The Thuthuka Bursary programme is a transformation initiative of accountants aimed at encouraging previously disadvantaged African pupils to pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy (CA).
The Accounting profession is under immense pressure to produce African chartered accountants which seems to be a challenge judging by the throughput in the past few years.
UKZN has additional support systems in place to help accounting students academically, socially and professionally with the aim of bridging the throughput gap.
Accounting lecturer and UKZN Bursary Fund Programme Manager, Ms Hlengiwe Ndlela, said she was responsible for the planning, designing and implementation of support programmes to help students on their academic journey with the aim of enhancing their chances of graduating in record time and ultimately become CAs.
‘The Dean and Head of School, Professor Mabutho Sibanda, has been hands on in providing a lot of support and approaching senior management in departments within the Institution for assistance,’ said Ndlela.
‘We are currently giving first-year academics guidance and support, working closely with Teaching and Learning Academic Leader, Dr Msizi Mkhize.’
The recipients spent the last week of January involved in an orientation programme where they received practical tips on ‘how to survive’ and achieve success during their academic career, participated in team building activities and heard success stories from African CAs who faced early challenges in their studies and careers.
For more on the bursary go to: http://www.thuthukabursaryfund.co.za/
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Workshop Explores Virtual Classroom Startup
Participants at the Virtual Classroom workshop.The School of Built Environment and Development Studies (BEDS) recently hosted a workshop on setting up a virtual classroom, led by Community Development lecturer, Dr Zifikile Phindile Shangase.
The workshop on Virtual Classroom Africa was a collaboration project between BEDS and the English Department at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Botswana (UNIBO). The project is funded by a grant from the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and is realised through setting up a virtual classroom for co-teaching of research methods and academic writing for postgraduate students.
Dean and Head of the School, Professor Ernest Khalema said, ‘This is important for the School since it enhances student learning, links with our strategic goals and fits into the framework of decolonisation and transformation.’
Under discussion at the workshop were tools to assist students’ collaboration, assessment tools applicable in virtual classrooms, tools for holding effective live lectures and Moodle tools that can be used in this venture.
‘This workshop was relevant for staff as the virtual classroom is at the planning stage,’ said Shangase. ‘We held the workshop to determine available resources within our learning management system and whether we need to supplement them with any web 2.0 applications that would allow students to create content, collaborate, share and communicate effectively with each other and also have lecturers across the regions.’
She believes the project will contribute towards building capacity and professional development and sustainable partnerships for staff and students at UKZN and UNIBO to use technology effectively in enhancing the quality of teaching research methods and academic writing.
‘This project will lead to the possibility of technology enhanced distance supervision support for postgraduate students between the two universities. The use of ICT technologies by students will also be enhanced because the critical skills set is essential in the 21st Century,’ said Shangase.
Dr Naledi Kgolo, a collaborator from the University of Botswana, added: ‘Collaborating with UKZN on this project showcases the need for comprehensive student learning. It is evident that there is a need for collaboration between African countries.’
Words and photograph: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .School of Education Hosts 2019 SAARMSTE Conference
Highlights from the SAARMSTE Conference hosted by the UKZN School of Education.The School of Education in the College of Humanities hosted the 2019 Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE) in Durban.
The conference theme was: Research for Inclusive, Relevant and Equitable Quality Mathematics, Science and Technology Education: Promoting Research-based Opportunities for All.
Conference Chairperson and UKZN academic, Professor Nadaraj Govender said: ‘SAARMSTE as a STEM research institution plays a critical role in developing and communicating current and innovative ideas in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education fields. UKZN is proud to host this prestigious international conference bringing international, southern African and local delegates under one roof to present, share, challenge and publish on STEM research.’
Govender believes these discourses and conversations, comprising more than 200 papers, will add long term value in addressing diverse challenges embedded in the 4th Industrial Revolution, ICT, climatic change, sustainability as well as teaching and learning, among other issues in STEM. ‘This also includes factoring human resources, including developing a critical mass of researchers, graduates and students to contribute to education, economic and human development in the STEM fields,’ said Govender.
Govender thanked the LOC team and sponsors for organising the event.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize, and the Dean of the School Professor Thabo Msibi, were guest speakers and addressed issues related to STEM research, social justice and decolonisation.
SAARMSTE Chairperson, Professor Kenneth Ngcoza said SAARMSTE had emerged as a formidable and significant developmental organisation over the last 27 years in STEM research. ‘The fact that it still walks tall today is a testimony to the richness, depth and most importantly, the Ubuntu of the SAARMSTE research community.’
Academic Leader for the Science and Technology Education Cluster in the School, Professor Busisiwe Alant, delivered the plenary address on the topic: Technology Education Re-imagined: Navigating the 4th Industrial Revolution.
‘The poor conceptualisation of Technology Education has led to a lack of agreement on what the nature of technological knowledge should be and how Technology Education needs to be organised,’ said Alant. ‘For Technology Education to position itself as an established discipline, it must do so not just in its own right, but also in relation to other subjects in order to establish itself in any curricula.’
Addressing the conference theme, Alant drew on the 4th Industrial Revolution as a platform from which to re-imagine Technology Education. ‘Technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, digital fabrication, and robotics, not only change the structure of our disciplines, economies, industries and governments, but also challenge our ideas about what it means to be human,’ said Alant.
Other keynote speakers included Professor Robert Berry of the University of Virginia in the United States and Professor Judith Lederman of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
Professor Fred Lubben supervised a writing workshop for 20 selected novice reseachers in preparation for submission to journals.
The next SAARMSTE conference will be hosted by Rhodes University in Grahamstown next year.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Albert Hirasen
author : .author email : .Clinical Training for Seychellois Dentistry Students
From left: Mr Eric Apelgren, eThekwini Municipality; Dr Kershen Naidoo, Department of Health; as well as Professor Busi Ncama and Professor Shenuka Singh from UKZN; Ms Cynthia Sanders, a student from Seychelles; and Professor Fanie Botha from UKZN.Nineteen final-year Dental Therapy students from the Seychelles received clinical training during a two-week sojourn at UKZN hosted by the Dentistry Discipline.
The students were qualified dental therapists who are part of a special collaboration between UKZN and the National Institute of Social Studies in the Seychelles to upgrade the existing skills of health professionals.
They were officially welcomed at two gala dinners sponsored by the Office of the Mayor in the eThekwini Municipality. A team led by Mr Eric Applegren, eThekwini Municipality International and Governance Relations Head, co-ordinated the dinners which added flair to the events, leaving the students with special memories.
The students were further welcomed by the College of Health Sciences Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Busi Ncama; the Director of Professional Services, Professor Fanie Botha, and Professor Shenuka Singh and colleagues from the Dentistry discipline.
Speaking on behalf of the group, student Ms Cynthia Sanders, thanked UKZN and the Office of the eThekwini Mayor’s office for their hospitality.
‘Two weeks ago, the students left their homes not knowing where exactly they were heading though they were told the destination was going to be their home for two weeks. We were on two flights before finally boarding a third for our journey to Durban,’ said an excited Sanders. ‘That was really an experience and we have been so warmly welcomed in Durban.’
Sanders said they were humbled by the love and support they received from everyone with their days being both hectic and enjoyable. ‘We learned a lot during the study programme and enjoyed our visits to interesting sites.’
The group hoped UKZN would continue to support them in their endeavours.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
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