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17 August 2022 | Story Edzani Nephalela and Coreen Steenkamp | Photo Francois van Vuuren
Academic Leadership Programme
The new cohort of the Academic Leadership Programme.

Educational leaders serve a significant administrative, management, and leadership function in higher education. A departmental chair’s role differs fundamentally from other leadership contexts, based on the momentous transition from being an academic by profession to providing leadership at departmental level.
The Academic Leadership Programme (APL) was launched by the University of the Free State (UFS) Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) to equip academics for various managerial positions. Faculty deans propose candidates for this programme; the second cohort has been chosen as the first is nearing completion. 
The first workshop commenced with an engagement with the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Francis Petersen, and the Vice-Rector: Academic, Dr Engela van Staden, who both shared strategic academic leadership perspectives during the orientation and welcoming of the APL. 
Such reflections highlighted the expectations of being an educator, the complexity, and the critical role of departmental chairs within higher education institutions. Academic leaders are thus expected to establish firm leadership within their departments, facilitate intellectual development, manage administrative duties, and strive toward resilient learning and teaching environments. 
“The position of departmental chairs remains critical for any higher education institution, as they provide leadership in advancing the discipline, teaching students, producing quality graduates, and serving the professional community,” said Prof Francois Strydom, Senior Director: Centre for Teaching and Learning.
Research confirms that most academics succeed in these roles without formal leadership training, yet the expectation of developing or having certain leadership qualities or management competencies must fulfil the various functions of such a position. 


News Archive

Three academic “generations” at the UFS deliver papers overseas
2007-09-11

 

Staff from the Department of Communication and Information Studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently delivered papers overseas. Ms. Elbie Lombaard participated in the International Feminist Summit in Townsville, Australia, Ms Dalmé Mulder delivered two papers at the Australian New Zealand Communication Association’s conference in Melbourne, Australia and at the International Conference on Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Prof. Johann de Wet delivered a paper in in Warskou, Poland at an international congress on International Political Linguistics. Prof. De Wet is Ms Mulder’s promoter with her doctoral studies, while Ms Mulder provides study guidance to Ms Lombaard for the completion of her Master's degree in Communication Sciences. From the left, are: Ms Lombaard, Ms Mulder and Prof. De Wet.
Photo: Supplied

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