College of College of Graduate Studies
Finding the balance between inclusivity and academic performance in HE
At Unisa’s recent Catalytic Niche Area (CAN) Research Symposium, Distinguished Professor Veronica McKay chaired a session on the Student Support and Co-Curricular Activities CNA, themed "Student Support in Higher Education: Inclusivity or Survival of the Fittest?" The event was attended by various panellists from different sectors.
From left: Dr Jack Mashiapata, Director: Counselling and Career Development; Likho Bottoman, Director: Social Cohesion and Equity, Department of Basic Education; Prof Veronica McKay, Distinguished Professor; Dr Sibongile Yawa, Assistant Director: Department of Employment and Labour; and Prof Robert Balfour, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: North West University.
Prof Robert Balfour, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: North West University, touched on the Covid-19 pandemic that has significantly impacted pedagogy, with technology playing a crucial role in enhancing access and success of students. Balfour discussed the differences in learning styles between contact and distance students, and the pedagogical implications of teaching in a distance modality.
Dr Jack Mashiapata, Director: Counselling and Career Development at Unisa, emphasised the need for comprehensive student support systems throughout the academic journey to address emerging issues and mitigate dropout risks. Mashiapata acknowledged the importance of mental well-being in addition to academic success, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to student support.
Prof Anita Priyadarshini, Director of Staff Training and Research: Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE) from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), who attended virtually, mentioned that IGNOU provides support services to a large number of learners in ensuring that their curriculum is aligned to the job market. Additionally, she said, teaching and learning at a distance poses challenges and transferring learning through electronic channels is essential.
Dr Sibongile Yawa, Assistant Director at the Department of Employment and Labour, reflected on how the department supports students and graduates in registering them with the service providers, and providing employment counselling. The employment counselling section prepares job seekers for interviews and supports employers with training on work ethics. The department aims to connect job seekers with suitable employment opportunities and helps employers find the right candidates.
Likho Bottoman, Director of Social Cohesion and Equity from the Department of Basic Education, mentioned the challenges faced in basic education in South Africa, including safety concerns, social inclusion and inequality. Bottoman said that the department has implemented targeted interventions to address issues such as the national school nutrition programme, nutrition education, health promotion, psychosocial support, and sports, arts and culture.
* By Kagiso Moroatsehla, Intern Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement
** Photography by Mduduzi Khathamzi, Multimedia Centre
Publish date: 2024-09-03 00:00:00.0
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