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Qwaqwa Campus lecturer to join University of Michigan’s prestigious scholar programme

03 February 2022 | Story NONSINDISO QWABE | Photo UFS Photo Archive

Dr_Makombe_web read more — Prof Rodwell Makombe, Associate Professor in the Department of English on the Qwaqwa Campus.

Prof Rodwell Makombe, Associate Professor in the Department of English on the university’s Qwaqwa Campus, will be joining a prestigious group of more than 100 academic staff from African universities for this year’s University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) programme.

Each year, the programme hosts more than 180 academics from different universities in Africa for a five-month fellowship, providing academics with access to the university’s research libraries and facilities, on-campus housing, health insurance, and a stipend to cover living expenses.

Fellowship an opportunity for collaboration and career growth

The fellowship comes at just the right time for Prof Makombe, who said he is looking forward to mentorship for his growth and career development in a new environment and atmosphere. “I am very excited about this opportunity, which I think has come at the right time. It will expose me to a broad network of scholars, which I need for collaboration purposes, and it will also give me an opportunity to share my research and learn from the experiences of other scholars from different parts of the world. Given that I will be working closely with a faculty member of the university for the duration of the fellowship, the programme will also provide me with the mentorship that I need for my growth and career development.”

Apart from the exposure to broad academic and research scholars, he said he was looking forward to having the time and resources to finish writing his second book.

“I have just published my first book in October 2021, and I have already started doing research for my second book. The fellowship will give me time and space to focus on writing the book without the usual interruptions associated with my teaching responsibilities. The book focuses on cultures of resistance in post-Mugabe Zimbabwe. It is a sequel to my recent book,Cultural texts of resistance in Zimbabwe: Music, Memes, Media, which explores discursive resistance in Zimbabwe in the context of crisis.”

News Archive

UFS plans to improve undergraduate pass rate

2005-01-13

The University of the Free State (UFS) will introduce a new foundation programme this year 2005 in an effort to improve the academic performance of undergraduate students.

According to Mr Francois Marais, Head: Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD) at the UFS, the programme will assist students by providing for the development of cognitive and critical thinking skills by means of the integration of appropriate thinking skills (such as creative thinking, decision-making, problem solving, reasoning, and how to learn), into the subject content of university courses.

“The foundation programme will benefit students from disadvantaged school backgrounds and, in future, those whose performance in proficiency tests points to the need for additional development in, for example, language proficiency, mathematical literacy, computer skills and life skills,” says Mr Marais.

Based on their level of achievement in the final Grade 12 examination (Senior Certificate), students will be referred to the foundation programme.

In order to improve students writing and reading abilities for higher education studies, foundation programme students will be offered academic language courses in English and Afrikaans.

Kovsie Counselling will render appropriate services, eg career guidance and support to these students.

The new foundation programme will be implemented in the faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Economic and Management Science, the Humanities and Law.

The duration for this programme differs from faculty to faculty. In the Faculty of Law it will take five years, while in the faculties of the Humanities, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Economic and Management Sciences it will take four years.

The national Department of Education will fund the foundation programme for three years. Funding for such programmes was made available to all higher education institutions in South Africa.

The welcoming function for all new first-year students and their parents will take place on Saturday 15 January 2005 at 11:00 in the Callie Human Centre on the main campus in Bloemfontein.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students who applied before 30 November 2004 to study at the Bloemfontein campus will take place from Monday 17 January 2005 to 21 January 2005 at the Callie Human Centre.

Senior undergraduate students (that is, students entering their second or later year of study) may register from 22 to 29 January 2005.

Postgraduate students, first time entering first year students and other students who applied for admission to the main campus after 30 November 2004 must register at the Callie Human from 31 January 2005 to 4 February 2005.

Due to the limitations placed by government on student numbers, the applications of students who applied late will be regarded as pending and will be processed as places become available.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
13 January 2005

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