The University of the Free State (UFS) has welcomed the second cohort of fellows taking part in its Learning and Teaching Fellowship.

“The UFS merit-based fellowship programme in Learning and Teaching provides recognition to our university teachers who have excelled in different domains of teaching, which can range from curriculum design and development, student-centred teaching techniques, to technology enhancement infused into pedagogical and teaching approaches,” Dr Engela van Staden, UFS Vice Rector: Academics, told the fellows, at their welcoming event in October 2022. She also emphasised the importance of acknowledging the skills, competencies, and experiences that lead to successful teaching portfolios.

The two-year fellowship, launched in 2021, provides the chosen UFS academic staff members with further training in the scholarship of teaching and learning, and allows them to work on a project within the field. It also aims to advance scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning at an institutional level, empowering academics for 21st-century education, as specified in the UFS learning and teaching strategy.

The programme also allows fellows to produce evidence of innovation in learning and teaching as specified in the Academic Performance Framework; aims to increase research outputs in disciplinary learning and teaching; and aims to create a pipeline of academics eligible for national fellowship programmes such as the Teaching Advancement at University (TAU) Fellowship Programme.

Expectations of the programme

The fellowship programme which commenced with a workshop, followed by a writing retreat where fellows had the opportunity to conceptualise and reflect on their learning and teaching projects.

Thakaso Masabata, a Junior Lecturer at the School of Computer Science and Informatics, said she expects the programme to broaden her understanding of creative teaching methods applicable in today's digital age and establish her position as a reputable researcher in the field. “This programme will aid me in my ongoing master's studies and contribute to achieving my long-term goal of pursuing a PhD,” she said. “Through acquiring hands-on experience and collaborating with seasoned professionals, I aspire to improve my aptitude for designing productive learning environments for students and making significant contributions to the teaching and learning community.”