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Prof Gert van Zyl appointed Chair of SA Committee of Medical Deans

19 January 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof Gert van Zyl, was appointed as the Chairperson of the South African Committee of Medical Deans (SACOMD).

Prof Van Zyl, who has been a member of the SA Committee of Medical Deans since 2001, says it is a privilege and a highlight to again serve the health sciences academic community in this very dynamic and special time for medical schools.

He is especially looking forward to working with a brilliant team of deans and leaders in SACOMD, to build on the achievements of the past, and to excel in those areas that they have collectively decided to pursue for the future.

Taking on the role of Chairperson of SACOMD once more, leading with an outstanding team and a shared vision, signifies a special moment in his career, particularly as he approaches the conclusion of a fulfilling journey as dean. During his tenure, Prof Van Zyl was dedicated to actively contributing to stakeholders in the health sciences arena, including the academic community, SACOMD, as well as staff and students at the university.

He is of the opinion that this position brings exceptional value to both the faculty and the university. “It aligns with their collective vision of academic excellence across undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and learning as well as research,” he states.

SACOMD’s strategy for 2024

The Committee’s goal is to facilitate the optimisation and transformation of academic activities in Health Sciences faculties in order to meet the healthcare, research, and social imperatives of the country.

During a strategic session held in 2023, SACOMD determined the following objectives that align with their goal. According to Prof Van Zyl, they will strive to embrace collaboration, establish trust-based relationships among its members, seek proactive and consensus-driven decision-making, share information (drawing knowledge and insights from each other) to collectively advance thought leadership, and leverage their position as an influencer for improved health sciences training and strengthened health systems.

He says there are some exciting trends in a number of areas that will play an important role in advancing medical and health sciences. This includes the role of artificial intelligence, simulation, and robotic surgery in the academic health sciences arena.

As a committee, they will also look at the establishment of work-based assessment as a requirement in the postgraduate training environment of medical specialists in South Africa, the role of higher education academia in a National Health Insurance (NHI) system, as well as improving undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and learning. “All these activities are already guided by a set of detailed actions, responsibility areas, and academic outcomes,” he says.

Furthermore, they will provide support for new medical schools in order to serve the country in producing excellent health professionals. In doing so, they plan to create a more sustainable funding environment, improve the world-class status of training in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and influence important clinical training platforms to support the academic health sciences agenda.

Patients is our first priority

Although operating on a strategic level in serving the health sciences community, Prof Van Zyl also shares his thoughts with students who aspire to pursue a career in this field. “Choose a career for the right reasons. Do not forget that your patients are your first priority in everything you do. Make the most of the opportunity if you are in the privileged position to be selected to study and build a career in health sciences,” he says.

He adds that resilience is an important characteristic when deciding to pursue a career in the medical field. According to him, it is also key to be a team player, have sound mental and spiritual health, and to have compassion in everything you do as a health sciences professional.

“Play this role as a team member, with the oath you have taken and with the Declaration of Geneva’s emphasis on the welfare of patients as your compass. Live this out in your daily professional activities. You are part of a group of professionals known for healing and caring for communities. Play the role required.”

“Mother Theresa said, ‘I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.’” “Create your own ripples!” Prof Van Zyl urges aspiring medical professionals.

News Archive

Academic and security arrangements on the Bloemfontein and South Campuses for the coming week

2016-02-28

All academic and administrative services on the Bloemfontein and South Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) will resume on Monday 29 February 2016.

The following academic and security arrangements have been put in place:

1. Academic arrangements:
It is important to remember that losing an academic week has major implications for all students, particularly for first-year students, and for purposes of academic planning. The university will therefore resume its normal work on Monday 29 February 2016. Losing any additional time will severely disadvantage students, especially those who desperately need the time to catch up with lectures ahead of the coming tests and examinations. Many more students will struggle to complete the academic year if any further time is lost.

In order to ensure that the academic work of the university is not undermined, the UFS will extend this academic term by one week. This will allow the completion of the work scheduled for last week. Given the impact that disruptions had on the emotions and concentration of many of our students, academics are requested to manage the setting and re-setting of all tests and assignments scheduled for last week with sensitivity, and to be supportive of students as they re-start their academic work. No student should be disadvantaged in terms of tests or assignments as a result of last week’s closure. We know you would do this anyway, but this is a reminder to all staff of what we expect to be a common approach and understanding on the part of lecturers.

We rely on the leadership of the deans in the seven faculties to support staff and students in dealing with the lost time in the most appropriate manner and in supporting all efforts to refocus energies on the academic project.

As the senior leadership and management of the university, we will continue to do everything in our power to make sure that the academic programme continues uninterrupted.

2. Security arrangements:
The Bloemfontein Campus is secure and we have more than doubled the security arrangements, with the interdict firmly in place.

The university management condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence that took place at Xerox Shimla Park on the night of Monday 22 February 2016. It also condemns the disruptions of the university that followed Monday’s event, which resulted in the suspension of academic and administrative activities on the Bloemfontein Campus. In line with the terms of the interdict - and now that we are at full capacity to secure this very large and spread-out campus - the university will act swiftly and firmly if any protests or disruption recur.

The following security arrangements are in place:
2.1 Staff and students must have their staff and student cards with them when entering the campus. Passengers in motor vehicles will have to present their cards to security personnel before access could be granted. Security personnel will check this physically by verifying that each person has a valid staff or student card.

2.2 Buses will not be allowed to enter the campus and passengers will have to be dropped off outside the gates - passengers will enter through the turnstiles with their valid access cards. Anyone without a valid access card will have to go to the Visitors Centre and present positive proof of ID (SA ID, passport or driver’s licence).

2.3 Pedestrians will have to swipe their cards at the turnstiles at the gates. Those without cards will have to enter through the Visitors Centre by presenting positive proof of ID (SA ID, passport or driver’s licence).

2.4 Visitors must report to the Visitors Centre (at Gate 5 in DF Malherbe Drive) and present positive proof of ID (SA ID, passport or driver’s licence).

2.5 Due to anticipated delays, it is advised that people allow some additional time when planning their routes to campus and to also make use of the less busy gates, such as Gate 4 (Furstenburg Road) and Gate 2 (Roosmaryn Residence).

2.6 It is advised that walkways be used, especially at night, and that pedestrians should keep to areas that are well lit.

Security helpline: +27(0)51 401 2911 | +27(0)51 401 2634.

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