UKZN Parents Day 2016.UKZN Hosts Successful 2016 Parents Days
Senior representatives of the University of KwaZulu-Natal have held meetings on the Howard College, Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses with parents of first-year students.
The aim of the Parents Day meetings was for the University to extend a warm welcome to parents and reassure them that they have made the correct decision in sending their children to UKZN.
The gatherings also create a platform for University staff to engage with parents and share useful information about the support that will be given to their children. Parents are also informed about the various scholarship packages and funding options on offer.
Speaking on behalf of the College of Law and Management Studies were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Professor Renuka Vithal (Westville campus); Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College, Professor John Mubangizi (Pietermaritzburg campus), and the Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Mr Lesiba Seshoka (Howard College campus).
They all assured parents that their children’s academic journey would be a rewarding one if they took full advantage of the academic and student services support offered by the University.
‘Remember that at UKZN, your child will be competing with some of the smartest young people locally, nationally and internationally. As such, they need to apply themselved diligently. Encourage your children to start studying immediately,’ advised Vithal.
The College Deans and Heads of Schools spoke about the various undergraduate programmes offered in the College, while representatives of Academic Development Coordinators, Student Services and Student Funding Services spoke about systems in place to ensure each student succeeds.
The College of Health Sciences (CHS) congratulated parents of some of UKZN’s brightest youngsters who have enrolled this year.
‘Entrance to UKZN is highly competitive and we have a legacy of attracting top learners from rural and urban areas,’ CHS Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head, Professor Rob Slotow, told parents.
Slotow said the students would compete with some of the smartest in the country and internationally.
He said when the College felt a student was not performing well it provided the necessary support. This was reiterated by Student Support Services Manager, Dr Saloschni Pillay, who spoke about the College’s ‘holistic’ approach towards ensuring student success.
Speaking at Parents Day, DVC and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, welcomed everyone to the event, while also informing parents that the University holds the number 1 position in South Africa in terms of research output for two consecutive years, also ranking in the top 3% of the world’s universities. ‘These achievements reflect both the teaching and learning aspect, alongside research excellence within the University,’ she said.
Reflecting on the #Feesmustfall campaign, Potgieter stated that UKZN remains committed to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges that continue to face the Higher Education sector and is engaging various stakeholders accordingly.
Mrs Sizakele Mtshali of Dundee, said Parents Day had been both informative and vital. ‘I am proud my daughter Nelisa has chosen my alma mater as her first choice of study. I am confident she will excel.’
Mrs Lorna Govender of Chatsworth added: ‘UKZN is one of the best universities in the country and to have my child Mallison studying here is a dream come true. I cannot wait to see her graduate with her Bachelor of Arts degree.’
Representatives from student housing, student financial services and student funding informed parents about what was on offer for first-year students.
The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science hosted three events for its new crop of proud parents, on the Pietermaritzburg, Howard College and Westville campuses.
Among ‘Engineering parents’ on Howard College, was proud father Mr Godfrey Mthembu of Umzinto, and his son, Mr Ibrahim Mthembu.
Ibrahim is the first in his extended family to attend university. He matriculated at Umzinto Secondary School with As and Bs in his exams and is now set to tackle his BSc Electrical Engineering degree.
Sally Frost, Thandiwe Jumo, Lunga Memela, Melissa Mungroo