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Dr Luyanda Marhaya serves on DHET panel looking to enhance foundation programmes

28 February 2023 | Story Edzani Nephalela | Photo Edzani Nephalela

Dr Luyanda Marhaya, Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been selected by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to join the Foundation Provision Reference Group (FPRG). His primary role in this position is to assist the Department in assessing applications for foundation programmes submitted by universities, ensuring compliance with the current Foundation Provision Guidelines.

As the author of the book Does Extended Programme Provision Work in South Africa?, Dr Marhaya is a recognised expert in the field.

The Department of Communication and Marketing (DCM) at the UFS recently interviewed Dr Marhaya to understand his responsibilities better:

Can you tell us more about your appointment as a member of the FPRG?

Over and above the supportive role, one of the major issues I will be involved in will be to provide input into the revision and finalisation of the Extended Curriculum Programme Policy Framework for the higher sector in South Africa.

What kind of projects or initiatives do you see being a priority?

One of the significant ongoing projects will be evaluating applications for foundation programmes of the different universities in South Africa, so one will have to allocate time, as many universities currently offer these programmes.

What do you hope to bring to the table as a group member?

Interestingly, I started as an academic about 15 years ago in the foundation programmes. I spent a good five years of my teaching at a university level dealing with students who gained entry through foundation programmes. I completely understand their purpose, intentions, and significance, especially concerning student access and success.

How will the Foundation Provision Reference Group benefit students and the education system?

Student access is a serious issue in South Africa, especially regarding the preparedness of many university students. So, I believe if we develop guidelines that can assist universities in coordinating these programmes in a well-structured manner, there could be many benefits.

What challenges do you anticipate facing in this role, and how do you plan to address them?

I think the major issue will be time constraints. My role is very demanding, and I am already involved in several other external committees, such as the Council on Higher Education, so I think my time management has to be very good.

How do you plan to work with other group members to achieve the group’s goals?

I believe in lifelong learning. I will certainly contribute, but the value of these interactions comes from learning from others.

Can you discuss any past experiences that have prepared you for this role?

I also wrote a book, titled Does Extended Programme Provision Work in South Africa?, in which I explored all the intricacies around these programmes. As Director: Academic Planning at the UFS, I also oversee the quality and provision of foundation programmes, so you could say I bring some expertise.

What are your long-term goals for the foundation programmes, and your role as a reference group member?

I foresee this as a long-term service that will benefit the country as a whole, so I suppose the Department will keep up so that we can provide capacity development to all universities that offer foundation programmes.

News Archive

Multidisciplinary conference on TB control

2003-09-22

Theme: Tuberculosis control: a multidisciplinary approach to research, policy and practice Venue: CR Swart Auditorium, University of the Free State Campus, Bloemfontein Date: 11 and 12 November 2003 Time: 11 November, 19:00-20:30 AND 12 November 08:30-17:00

Tuesday, 11 November - 19:00-20:30 (registration from 18:30) and Wednesday, 12 November - 08:30-17:00 (registration from 07:30)

The Honourable MEC for Health in the Free State will officially open the Conference on the evening of 11 November, while Prof Frederick Fourie (Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State) will attend to the welcoming. In addition, Prof Françoise Portaels (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium) and Dr Refiloe Matji (National Department of Health, South Africa) will respectively present a global and a South African perspective on TB. The majority of the presentations will follow on 12 November.

Main thrust of Conference

The main thrust of the Conference is to disseminate both research results and policy/managerial matters relevant to TB and TB control, and to facilitate discourse among researchers and health policy makers/managers/practitioners in the field of TB control. Presenters of papers, as well as delegates are, therefore, drawn from both academic/research institutions, and from health service sectors involved in TB control in all provinces and in neighbouring countries.

Topics of presentations

A variety of topics will be dealt with during presentations, such as: New challenges in the global control of MDR-TB New strategies and policies on MDR-TB in South Africa A South African perspective on TB control A provincial perspective on implementing the national TB control policy

The role of the public district hospital in TB control Tuberculosis control through DOTS Case detection strategies

TB in children Hospital to clinic: is this the missing link? Patient compliance with DOT for TB Challenges for effective health communications in a multicultural context

The economics of TB Frequency of multiple infections with M. tuberculosis in pulmonary TB patients HIV/AIDS and TB, etc.

Speakers

Among the speakers will be Dr Victor Litlhakanyane (Head of Health: Free State); Prof Françoise Portaels and Dr Leen Rigouts (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium); Dr Reliloe Matji (Director: NTBC Programme); Ntsiki Jolingana (Director: HIV, AIDS, TB and Communicable Diseases, Free State) and Annatjie Peters (Free State TB Coordinator); Dr Karin Weyer (Medical Research Council); Profs Herman Meulemans, Diana De Graeve, Luc Pauwels and Christiane Timmerman (University of Anwerp, Belgium); Dr Lara Fairall (UCT Lung Institute, University of Cape Town); Prof Frikkie Booysen (Department of Economics, University of the Free State); Christo Heunis, Ega Janse van Rensburg-Bonthuyzen, Zacheus Matebesi and Kobus Meyer (CHSR&D); Dr Mary Ednington (School of Public Health, Wits); Dr Carmen Báez and Sabine Verkuijl (ISDS); Anneke Van der Spoel-Van Dijk (Medical Microbiology, University of the Free State).

Costs

There will be no registration fees. However, delegates are expected to arrange their own transport and accommodation, or arrange for sponsorships themselves.

Contact details in case of inquiries and confirmation:

Postal Address: The Director, CHSR&D, PO Box 339, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300 Fax: 051 448 0370 Tel: 051 401 2181 OR 051 401 3256 E-mail: vrensh@mail.ufs.ac.za (Dingie van Rensburg) OR neljc@mail.ufs.ac.za (Ohna Nel)

PLEASE, CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT AT THE LATEST BEFORE 25 OCTOBER 2003 ? BY TELEPHONE, FAX OR E-MAIL.

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