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22 October 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Prof Liezel Nel, who received the 2020 Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award in the category Research in Teaching and Learning, says this recognition of her work is undoubtedly an inspiration to continue her research with even more vigour and enthusiasm.
Prof Liezel Nel, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at the University of the Free State (UFS), was announced as winner in the category Research in Teaching and Learning at the 2020 UFS Excellence in Learning and Teaching Awards, hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning in September this year.

Prof Nel, who is passionate about the Computer Science discipline due to its ever-changing nature, says she not only constantly revises the subject material, but also the way in which she presents it to students. “In order to be an effective facilitator, I adjust my teaching and learning strategies based on the needs of my students and their pace and depth of understanding,” she says.

As an adjunct professor, she currently teaches Web Development and Internet Programming modules on both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Prof Nel also supervises master's and PhD projects in the field of Computer Science Education. 

She believes in a research-informed way of teaching that is sensitive to the needs of individual students in a diverse educational context. Prof Nel is constantly investigating innovative ways in which the teaching and learning experiences of Computer Science students can be enhanced. “My teaching philosophy is geared towards the empowerment of my students in order for them to take control of their own learning experiences,” she adds.

Best teaching experience

She is in the position of working with students who are entering higher education for the first time and is of the opinion that especially first-year students need to be exposed to the best possible teaching experience.

“My students and I work together to overcome many of the unique challenges they are experiencing in order to better prepare them on an academic and a personal level for the successful completion of their higher education journey and for a successful career in Computer Science,” she says.

Besides the role that Prof Nel is playing in preparing first-year students, she also participates in the development of postgraduate students. “By involving all my postgraduate students in teaching and learning-related projects, I believe that I am playing a valuable role in shaping a new generation of teaching and learning scholars,” declares Prof Nel.

Continuous excellence

Her work to enhance the learning experiences of her students has received both local and national recognition. Since 2009, she has received numerous awards, including the UFS prestige award for Excellence in e-learning, the UFS prestige award for Excellence in Teaching; and the UFS Vice-Chancellor’s award for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Prof Nel also received the National Excellence in Teaching and Learning award from the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa and the Council for Higher Education (CHE).

News Archive

SRC and Kovsies stand against abuse
2014-04-15

The SRC took the lead on Monday by orchestrating a campaign to create awareness and instill consciousness on campuses to act against the abuse of women and children.

During a march from the Thakaneng Bridge to the Main Building on the Bloemfontein Campus, the SRC led students in a Pledge Against Women and Children Abuse to ensure that the UFS community become accountable. The message proclaimed, was one of zero tolerance for the abuse of women and children.

The Dean of Student Affairs, Rudi Buys, addressed students, saying: “No more. This cannot be just another march, but something to speak directly to injustice.”

This campaign was aimed at ensuring that relevant information and services are provided to help women and children. Representatives of Health and Wellness, psychologists and social workers, as well as representatives from the Centre of Trauma Forgiveness and Reconciliation, the Centre for Safety and Security and the Institute of Race and Reconciliation were present during this campaign.
The Vice-Rector: External Relations, Dr Choice Makheta, stressed the point of women and children’s wellbeing, by saying: “As a university we must make sure women are treated well… that children are treated very well.”

Violence against women and children in South Africa happens regardless of age, class or colour. Studies shows 50% of women have been reported experiencing violence at the hands of their intimate partners. Local studies also show that 28% of men have admitted to being rapists. Every hour a child is abused in South Africa.

But Kovsies say “No more! No more!”

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