Back row: Me M. Roodt; Prof. S. Mahlomaholo (Dean); Mr W. Viljoen; Dr M.M. Nkoane (New Acting-Head: SHES); Dr S.P. van Tonder; Me K. Venter
Front row: Dr J.H. van Schoor; Prof. L. Zipin (keynote); Prof. M. Brennan (keynote); Dr S.M. Holtzhausen (Guest Editor); Prof. L.O.K. Lategan (Editor: JNGS); Prof. A.C. Wilkinson
Special Edition of the Journal for New Generation Sciences launched at UFS
UFS and CUT collaboration fosters new relationships
The Journal for New Generation Sciences (JNGS) Special Edition was launched on 20 October 2016, at the Albert Wessels Auditorium, during the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Education colloquium on the field of technological higher education and its contribution to the knowledge society.
Partnerships and knowledge production
Prof Laetus Lategan, Dean of Research and Innovation at the Central University of Technology (CUT) as well as Editor of the JNGS, led the launch. “Higher education is not only about producing knowledge but it is also about fostering new relationships,” said Prof Lategan referring to CUT’s collaboration with the UFS Faculty of Education.
“Empowering people is important for capacity building, offering novice writers the opportunity to learn and a way to enhance their academic writing,” said Prof Lategan.
The Journal for New Generation Sciences is an accredited research publication in which scholars, internal and external to the institution, may publish. It accommodates national and international publications and showcases the university’s commitment to applied research.
Growing in leaps and bounds
According to Dr Somarie Holtzhausen, from the Faculty of Education’s School of Higher Education Studies who acted as Guest Editor for the JNGS - Special Edition 13(2), all papers are peer-reviewed by at least two experts. An editorial review also secures the quality of the paper. In 2014, when the journal was established, 30 contributions were submitted, although only 25 were successfully published.
“We turn down content not because it is not good, but unfortunately because it does not speak to the heart of the journal,” said Prof Lategan. With 60 peer reviewers, the journal’s contributors are assured that at least two peer reviewers will assess their article.
The Journal for New Generation Sciences supports both high-quality scholarly work of established researchers, and capacity building among new researchers.
During the round-table discussion various contributors to the journal spoke about their research and involvement in the publication of the journal.