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22 July 2020 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Supplied
Dr Champion N Nyoni.

As yet another testament to the great work being done, as well as the dedication, passion, and hard work of staff members in the School of Nursing at the University of the Free State (UFS), a senior lecturer became the first UFS staff member to win the prestigious Sigma Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar award – making him only the third African to win this award. 

“I was overwhelmed to be honoured with this award as the third African to have won it in the history of the awards. To me, this is an indication that the quality of our work in the School of Nursing is top-notch and meets international standards, and that our contribution to nursing science and nursing education is outstanding,” says a proud Dr Champion N. Nyoni on his latest achievement. 

Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma) is a global honour society for nurses that recognises and advances nursing through research and scholarship. Membership for this society includes a minimum of a master’s qualification and nomination from current members based on your contribution and the potential thereof for nursing at a national and global scale. 

The Emerging Nurse Researcher/Scholar Award, with the purpose of recognising nurses whose research and scholarship has impacted the profession and the people it serves, was introduced in 2015.

No easy process 
It is quite a rigorous process to become eligible for the award, explains Dr Nyoni. “One is nominated by peers who are also part of Sigma; these peers must motivate their nomination by providing evidence related to the research and scholarship of the nominee.” 

“In addition to the numerous reference reports from colleagues in the discipline of nursing, additional referrals are sought from colleagues in other professions (in the health sciences) who have worked and engaged with the research of the nominee. This application process is then evaluated for consideration, among others, by a global panel. I never thought that I would win this award, given the nature of the nomination process, and the heavy funding that other nurse researchers globally receive in comparison to Africa,” says Dr Nyoni.

According to a passionate Dr Nyoni, the award will also give him the energy to continue an academic track, especially in nursing and nursing education, with a focus on improving the quality of nursing education, the quality of nursing graduates, impacting the nursing workforce and thereby influencing the quality of health indicators, especially in Africa, where health systems are nurse-driven. 

Dr Nyoni is appreciative of the nurturing environment and brilliant colleagues in the School of Nursing, who are supporting his research career.

Quality nursing education

"We need quality nurses for quality nursing care, and this should be done through quality nursing education. I hope to use this award as part of a motivation strategy for young nurses to be engaged in scholarship and in academia, as there is a great need, especially in sub-Saharan Africa,” concludes Dr Nyoni.

When he was nominated, Dr Nyoni had close to 15 publications in nursing education and close to 40 presentations at local and international conferences. He also had several awards for his research work, including the Best Education Paper: Senior Category at the Faculty of Health Science’s Research Forum in 2019. 

Dr Nyoni is currently a postdoctoral fellow (the first) in the UFS School of Nursing and serves as chairperson on several boards of directors relating to health professions education in the African region, namely AfrIPEN and SAFRI. He is also supervising several master’s and PhD students.
 
• This award will be presented on Thursday at the International Nursing Research Congress that is now taking place online due to COVID-19.

News Archive

Shimlas & Kovsie Netball reign at SASSU 2007
2007-07-25

Various sporting codes of the University of the Free State (UFS) participated in the SASSU tournaments over the past June/July holidays.

 

 
Shimlas

Rugby:
The Shimlas won their first game against Walter Sisulu University (Buffalo City) 69–0. The game was stopped 20 minutes before the end.

In their second game, the Shimlas won UJ 24-20.

The Shimlas won the final match against Pukke with a convincing 28-13. 

 Hockey:
The UFS woman’s team ended 6th in die A division
The UFS men’s team ended 5th in die B division

Squash:
The UFS men’s team ended 5th in the A division
The UFS woman’s team ended 1st in the B division

Karate:
Johann Rourke – 1st – Men above 80kg Kumite
Deidre West – 1st – Ladies open Kata Section
3rd – Ladies above 60kg in Kumite

Cross Country:
Women 4km – 2nd (Esté de jager came in 2nd)
Men 4km – 2nd (Boy Soke came in 1st)
Women Road Relay – 4th
Men Road Relay – 1st

The teams were as follow:
Esté de Jager
Thandi Malindi
Rone Reyneke

Boy Soke
Johan Cronjé
Michael Tlhoro
Dumisane Hlaselo

Netball:
Won the tournament.

Compiled by
Ansu Colditz
KovsieSport: Sports Officer
 

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