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25 March 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Lutendo Mabata
Prof Nompumelelo Zondi, the newly appointed Vice-Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of The Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS).
Prof Nompumelelo Zondi has been appointed as Vice-Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of The Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS). Prof Zondi assumed this new role on 1 March 2024 after serving as the Head of Department for African Languages at the University of Pretoria for seven years. “I consider this appointment as an opportunity of growth and learning more about higher education and the Faculty of The Humanities at large,” she said.
Prof Zondi indicates that part of her role is to spearhead the UFS Vision130 within the Faculty of The Humanities, and to ensure that the faculty assists the institution in becoming research-led, student-centred, and globally impactful.
Motivation for assuming this role
One of the primary reasons that led her to consider this role is sharing the knowledge she acquired as part of the Fulbright South African Research Scholar Programme. As a result of that experience and exposure, which went beyond the Ohio State University, she felt it befitting to implement some of the insights she acquired on a bigger scale. Therefore, even though she was impactful in her previous role, Prof Zondi believes that this is an exceptional and more desirable platform to do so. “I feel that I will have easier access to departments within the faculty, while also encouraging and supporting interdepartmental and faculty collaborations,” she explained.
A significant component of Vision 130
He believes that the elements that make up Vision 130 are interrelated. While she considers research central to Vision 130 – as she begins her journey at the UFS, she feels students deserve to be nurtured to further contribute to the university’s impactful research. Thus, student-centredness is the way to go. “I believe that students must be major role players in this Vision130; we must include them in the interactions and discussions that are part of the university’s strategic plan as well as in decision-making processes,” she said. As such, according to Prof Zondi, the more the faculty and the institution care for the students and involve them in Vision130 and in collaborations, the more research outputs the university will achieve.
New Clinical Skills Centre probably a first for South Africa
2010-08-13
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Attending the sod-turning for the new building were, from the left: Prof. Driekie Hay (Vice-Rector: Teaching and Learning), Dr Santie van Vuuren (Head of the SAHP) and Prof. Gert van Zyl (Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences).
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar
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The first sod for a Clinical Skills Centre at the School for Allied Health Professions (SAHP) at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) was turned this week. This centre is probably a first for South Africa, says Dr Santie van Vuuren, Head of the SAHP.
The project is the original initiative of Dr Van Vuuren and is focused on affording undergraduate students in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Dietetics and Optometry the opportunity to master their clinical professional skills.
The new building will include three skills venues and a computer laboratory. The building will be developed to contain, among others, a wheelchair track for physically disabled persons.
Future plans for the use of this pioneering facility in the training of persons in allied health professions include the development of a continued professional development programme for qualified persons, as well as a service delivery component which focuses on community empowerment.
It is aimed that the building will be completed by late next year. |