Honouring Outstanding Student Mentoring in Health Sciences

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The College of Health Sciences’ Annual Appreciation and Certification Ceremony was a heartwarming and inspiring event dedicated to honoring exceptional mentors who have profoundly impacted the lives of CHS students.

The gathering, organised by the CHS Student Support Services (SSS) team, celebrated the Peer Wellness Mentors (PWMs), Academic Mentors (AMs), and First Year Experience Mentors (FYEMs) who, amid their own demanding academic schedules, still dedicated themselves to guiding and uplifting their peers.

Programme co-ordinator and student counsellor Ms Wulganithi Thaver opened the event by warmly welcoming the guests. Her words set a reflective tone: ‘Today, we reflect on the power of gratitude. Each of you made a positive impact on our students, fostering not only their academic success but their smooth transition from high school to university.’ Thaver quoted Oprah Winfrey, saying: ‘A mentor is someone who helps you to see the hope inside of you, highlighting the deep and lasting influence mentors have in their mentees’ lives.

Manager of SSS Dr Saloschini Pillay greeted guests with the official welcome message in which she shared the legacy of the CHS mentorship programme, which started years ago and eventually expanded across the University. ‘We appreciate our skilled, front-line student mentors who play such a valuable role in ensuring a successful, enjoyable university experience,’ she said, emphasising the crucial role mentors play in helping students navigate their academic journey. With a smile, she added, ‘Once a mentor, always a mentor,’ capturing the enduring nature of this role.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of CHS Professor Busisiwe Ncama followed with warm acknowledgment of the mentors’ dedication and adaptability. ‘The Higher Education landscape is constantly evolving, and mentors must adapt, extending a guiding hand and being a constant source of encouragement,’ she said. Her words resonated with gratitude and admiration as she underscored that the mentors embody the very spirit of UKZN, championing equity and inclusion to ensure every student’s academic success. ‘Heartfelt gratitude to the mentors, but also to the SSS team for the profound difference they make in our students’ lives. May you continue to inspire greatness.’

CHS Dean of Teaching and Learning Professor Sinegugu Duma, expressed her gratitude for the mentors’ unwavering support despite their own challenges. ‘You have managed to successfully sustain our students,’ she said, acknowledging the mentors’ remarkable ability to juggle responsibilities and keep students thriving.

Thaver shared the impact of the PWM programme, which this year included 66 senior students across 13 disciplines, all trained within the helping and wellness models. Reflecting on feedback from a survey, she noted that PWM mentors felt well-supported in their role, although many expressed that the administrative workload was demanding. Said a mentor: ‘When I got flowers from my mentee thanking me for making her life easier, I was so humbled,’ illustrating the deep connections and sense of fulfillment that mentorship brought.

Dr Buhle Donda highlighted the work of academic mentors, who provide pivotal academic support by conducting tutorials and collaborating with the faculty to help students master challenging concepts. Donda said managing the dual responsibilities of academic obligations and mentoring sometimes stretched mentors thin, with one candidly admitting: ‘I sometimes struggle with setting boundaries with my mentees when they require a lot of attention and I struggle to say no.’

Pillay continued by celebrating the contributions of the FYEMs, noting that this was the first year the First Year Experience programme was mandatory for all new students. With one mentor to every 42 students, FYEMs worked tirelessly to help students transition into university life, providing guidance on everything from academic skills to personal growth. ‘This role has shaped my understanding of the challenges faced by first-year students,’ said FYEM mentor Ms Sinoxolo Dlamini. ‘Fostering development requires patience and resilience, and it’s essential to show empathy and embrace the community spirit.’

Concluding the ceremony, dedicated PWM Ms Nokulunga Siyaya shared how her own academic challenges inspired her to help others. ‘This journey has taught me to be selfless, confident, resilient, and value helping others,’ she reflected.

Said teaching assistant Ms Karishma Naidoo: ‘Adaptability and flexibility are key. Seeing a student’s face light up is what I find most gratifying.’ She proudly shared that this year’s class average mark was the highest since 2015, a testament to the mentors’ impact.

As the event concluded, the room filled with applause as each mentor received a Certificate of Appreciation. This celebration honored mentors who had not only offered guidance and support but had also become essential to their mentees’ journeys at UKZN. It was a heartfelt tribute to a team whose dedication, resilience, and compassion continue to illuminate the path for countless students in the College of Health Sciences.

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photographs: Supplied