Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April July May June August September October November December
Previous Archive
19 May 2023 | Story Dalene Meintjes | Photo Supplied
Teaching and Learning Fellows
The second cohort of the UFS Learning and Teaching Fellowship: Back (left to right): Dr Joseph Kunnuji, Christa Faber, Dr Anke van der Merwe, Dr Lisa Rothmann, Dr Msebenzi Rabaza, Dr Albertus Barkhuizen. Front (left to right): Maryna Hattingh, Anna-Marie Welman, Dr Ntombizandile Gcelu, Thakaso Masabata, Oyinlola Adebola, Charles Mothelesi, Dr Mamokhosi Choane.

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.”

Overall, the UFS Learning and Teaching Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for academics to enhance their skills and competencies in teaching, research, and mentorship, while creating a pipeline of successful scholars who can contribute significantly to learning and teaching. 

News Archive

A time to celebrate: Autumn graduations
2016-04-07

General graduation information 
Livestreaming

The first series of graduations for the year are upon us. Graduates from all seven faculties, the Business School, and the School of Open Learning at the University of the Free State (UFS) will be celebrating their academic achievements. A total of 3681 qualifications will be conferred at ceremonies on the Bloemfontein Campus from 12 to 15 April 2016.

Sejakhumo Makhetha, daughter of our Vice-Rector: Student Affairs and External Relations, Dr Choice Makhetha, will be among the graduates receiving BA Governance and Political Transformation degrees. Coincidently, Dr Makhetha obtained her PhD in Political Science in 2003 at the UFS. Sejakhumo Makhetha is currently busy with her postgraduate diploma in the same field.

The four-day celebration symbolises the UFS prerogative as an institution to transform lives by producing leaders of tomorrow. Dr Muavia Gallie, Dr Sello Hatang, Dawie Roodt, and Nikiwe Bikitsha are expected to address these future leaders and guests at these ceremonies.

Addressed by the best

On the guest speaker line-up, we have Dr Gallie, a School and District Turnaround Strategist and education activist, who has been identified as one of the 10 Most Impressive Public Leaders for 2015 by the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen. The former Head of Operations, Human Resources and Information and Communication Technology at the South African Council for Educators (SACE) has had more than 30 years of experience in education.

Dr Gallie and Dr Hatang will address graduates of the Faculties of Education, Health Sciences, Law, and Theology on 12 April 2016. Dr Hatang is the Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. In addition to being a founding member of the Advisory Council of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, Hatang has had the privilege of serving as the Head of Information Communications, and spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission as well as Director: South African History Archive at Wits University.

Dawie Roodt, founder, director, and chief economist of the Efficient Group, will speak at the Faculty of Economic and Management Science ceremony on 14 April 2016. This nationally-renowned economist boasts 30 years of experience in monetary and fiscal policy, and is one of the most referenced authors. In 2013, he published Tax, Lies and Red Tape.

As one of South Africa’s leading journalists, Nikiwe Bikitsha will draw on her 20-year career in radio, television, and journalism to address the Faculty of the Humanities graduates on the final day of graduations. Through her passion for Africa’s economic development and women empowerment, the co-founder and CEO of Amargi Media has been a successful Programme Director for UN, IMF and AU-related events.

 

Details of event

Dates: 12, 13, 14, 15 April 2016

Times: 09:00 and 14:30

Venue: Callie Human Centre, Bloemfontein Campus, University of the Free State

 

 

 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept