UKZN Academics Present Papers at Siyaphumelela Conference

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UKZN representatives addressed the Siyaphumelela Conference in Johannesburg on the University’s progress with its student access-success mandate.

A member of the Siyaphumelela network, UKZN was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Professor Sandile Songca; co-project leader Professor Randhir Rawatlal; Mr Abdulbaqi Badru (who stood in for project leader Professor Rubby Dhunpath); student representative Mr Wandile Majozi; Dr Samukelisiwe Khumalo and Ms Sethu Nguna.

Partner universities at the conference were UKZN, the University of the Western Cape, the Durban University of Technology, the Nelson Mandela University, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the University of the Free State, who each presented the highlights of their Siyaphumelela projects which have the goal of improving student access and success through data analytics.

Songca, Rawatlal and Badru spoke for UKZN, presenting an overview of the University’s initiatives, including the first-year experience programme; academic advising; the digital literacy programme; the access and success forum research projects; scholarship of teaching and learning initiatives, and the academic monitoring and support programme. The presentation then elaborated on the initiation of automated academic advising at the University, focusing on the methods, platform, and benefits.

Other presentations by UKZN delegates were on instructional design and automated academic advising initiatives at the Institution.

The presentation by Khumalo and Rawatlal was titled: Developing Academic Support for Student Success at University Using Automated Advising, which highlighted the need for an inclusive student support solution which not only advises students at risk but also identifies students on track for achieving distinctions nudging them to achieve cum laude or summa cum laude passes.

Rawatlal also presented the results of using Auto Scholar, a machine learning-driven system designed to identify students at different progression levels. These students are then offered real-time advice, with the view to supporting them.

Nguna’s paper - titled: Utilising Data-Driven Insights to Improve Student Success: Development and Implementation of UKZN’s Instructional Design Strategy - focused on the development of instructional design services at UKZN and how learner analytics can be used in promoting student success.

Presentations by keynote speakers covered a variety of areas, including reflections on the student success reform movement by the Senior Vice-President of Achieving the Dream, Ms Carol Lincoln; feedback by Council on Higher Education staff members on student success during COVID-19 times, and an outline by Ms Mandisa Cakwe of the Department of Higher Education and Training on how the department promotes and supports students’ success through the University Capacity Development Programme

Wrapping up the conference, President and CEO of the Kresge Foundation, Mr Rip Rapson, gave background on future developments at the Siyaphumelela network, which include the expansion of the body to 20 institutions, thus enhancing data-driven approaches in institutions as well as discussing initiatives on high-impact modules and student voices.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied