TRUE GRIT REAPS PHD FOR VISUALLY-IMPAIRED ADVOCATE

Dr Praveena Sukhraj-Ely at her graduation
ceremony on Thursday, April 16.

A commitment to be an advocate for blind and disabled learners reaped rich rewards for visually-impaired Dr Praveena Sukhraj-Ely when she graduated from UKZN with a PhD in Public Policy.

Dr Sukhraj-Ely (30) was born partially sighted and became blind at the age of 12.

The title of her thesis is: ‘Inclusive Education Policy and Practice: Investigating the Educational Rights and Needs of Learners and Students with Visual Impairments in South Africa.’ The study was supervised by Professor RHJ de Kadt.

Dr Sukhraj-Ely has recently been promoted to the position of Senior State Advocate in the Litigation Unit of the Department of Justice after being employed as a Senior State Law Adviser at the South African Law Reform Commission in Pretoria.

Dr Sukhraj-Ely said she decided to study for a doctorate to raise awareness in communities about the challenges faced by visually impaired learners and students in South Africa: “I wanted to do the study because it was something close to me. I focused on inclusive education for visually impaired learners and students; as I have experienced some of those challenges first hand.”

The study evaluated the policy and practice related to including visually impaired learners mainstream schools and the inclusion of visually-impaired students at South African universities.

DAWOUD TWINS DO THE DOUBLE IN FINE STYLE!

Ms Dina and Mr Peter Dawoud.

Exceptional brain power is a common trait for 22-year-old twins Dina and Peter Dawoud who this week receive their BSc Degrees summa cum laude.

Miss Dawoud achieved Honours in Statistics while Mr Dawoud received Honours in Computer Engineering.

Since registering at UKZN, they have received the Dean’s Commendation in their respective courses every semester. They are both currently pursuing their Masters degrees.

“The experience has been amazing and the people have been great,” said Miss Dawoud. “It has been challenging, but you get so much help from the lecturers. One can tell that a lot of money has been invested in making the course well structured.”

While in school, Miss Dawoud was unsure of the career path she wanted to pursue until one of her teachers suggested Actuarial Science - since then she has never looked back.

TRUST IN GOD A DRIVING FORCE FOR 73-YEAR-OLD DOCTORAL GRADUATE

Dr Valerie Leigh.

Doctoral graduate, 73-year-old Dr Valerie Leigh attributes her success to a passion for the Arts, the help of many friends and trust in God. Ms Leigh graduated with a PhD in Art History after concluding five years of research into the art of South African sculptor, Mr Andries Botha.

Her dissertation titled: ‘Andries Botha: Creativity in a Context of Change’ traces the artist’s portrayal of social change in South Africa through the unique sculptures he has created. Dr Leigh viewed Mr Botha’s use of art in addressing the problems of the disadvantaged in South Africa, and his understanding of the human condition and politics as artistic creativity that warranted further research.

Relieved to have finally completed her PhD which she admitted was exhausting work, Dr Leigh said she hoped her research would be an encouragement to others who study art.

“THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK” – PROFESSOR SME BENGU

Professor Dasarath Chetty (right) delivers
the citation on Professor Sibusiso Bengu.

Professor Sibusiso Bengu received an Honorary Doctorate of Education at graduation held at the Westville campus on April 21.

Professor Bengu is an eminent academic and statesman who pioneered the new education framework, higher education and national education in post-1994 South Africa. He has made a significant contribution in the schooling system in rural parts of KwaZulu-Natal as an educator and administrator and in retirement, he continues to influence and shape Higher Education in South Africa.

On receiving his award, Bengu said it was a great honour for him to have been invited to deliver an address at the graduation ceremony on a subject of his choice, “I choose to speak on education, training and work. The relationship between these three concepts has been a troubled one in many countries of the world.”

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HARD WORK, SAYS LLB GRADUATE

Miss Patricia Wragg.

“Work hard and never be afraid of asking lecturers for help,” is the advice LLB summa cum laude graduate, Miss Patricia Wragg offers students

“I am very happy because all my hard work has paid off. However, I am sad to leave UKZN because I had a very good relationship with my lecturers,” said Miss Wragg.

“The Faculty is small and that allows for better communication with the academics and the attention you get from them is very personal. All of this has really contributed to my success.”

Miss Wragg (22), who graduated from the Law Faculty on the Pietermaritzburg campus, maintained a high academic standard throughout her time at UKZN, receiving numerous awards including best final year student, certificates of merit for a number of subjects and the Dean’s Commendation every term.

She was awarded the prestigious Brenda Gourley Scholarship in 2007 and 2008 for being the second highest-performing undergraduate student across all Faculties.

FIRST WOMAN DEAN APPOINTED FOR THE FACULTY OF LAW

Professor Managay Reddi.

For the first time in its history, UKZN’s Faculty of Law has appointed a woman as its Dean.

She is Professor Managay Reddi who takes over the reins for the next five years.

Priorities for Professor Reddi in her new role include entrenching the Faculty’s position as a leader in research output and ensuring that it becomes the Faculty of first choice for prospective law students. Staff development is also high on her agenda.

To this end the Mentoring and Research Incentive Programme - designed to equip staff with skills relevant to being excellent legal academics - has been implemented in the Faculty. According to Professor Reddi, young academics currently reading for their doctoral degrees have benefitted from the programme which offers modules designed to improve the skills of emerging researchers.

Responding to her appointment Professor Reddi said: “My appointment as head of one of the leading Faculties at UKZN is an enormous challenge. I’m really pleased by the University’s confidence in making this appointment. I am therefore determined not to disappoint all those who have shown confidence in my ability to do this job.”

RECOGNITION AWARD FOR PROFESSOR SABIHA ESSACK

Professor Sabiha Essack.

At a gala dinner on April 15, Professor Sabiha Essack, UKZN’s Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences was honoured with the Minara Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award for her individual achievements and contribution to society.

Professor Essack began her professional career with the BPharm degree in 1988 and practiced as a hospital pharmacist for three years within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health before returning to the University of Durban-Westville in 1992 to pursue the MPharm degree. As a Wellcome Trust Research Fellow she completed her research towards a PhD at St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry in the United Kingdom. Her PhD research involved the molecular biology and biochemistry of b-lactamase-mediated resistance in South African nosocomial Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

COURSEWORK MASTERS DEGREE IN HAND REHABILITATION LAUNCHED

Mrs Dain van de Reyden (left), and Dr Robin Joubert
(third from left), Head of School of Audiology,
Occupational Therapy and Speech Language
Therapy with current registered students.

The School of Audiology, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Therapy has launched a coursework Masters degree in Hand Rehabilitation - one of only two being offered in South Africa

The students are qualified occupational and physiotherapists from hospitals and private practices in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape with tuition being given by local and national experts.

The programme aims to provide practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation, within each of the two disciplines.

The course is designed to meet the needs of working professionals. Lectures take place in blocks of a week at a time for four contact periods (modules) in the first year and three modules in the second year - one of which is the mini research dissertation which has to be completed in order to qualify with a Masters degree in Hand Rehabilitation.

TRIUMPH IN ADVERSITY FOR UKZN DEPARTMENT HEAD

Mr Khathuthshelo Percy
Mashige.

Mr Khathuthshelo Percy Mashige, Head of UKZN’s Department of Optometry, graduated with a Masters Degree in Optometry.

Mr Mashige, formerly of the Limpopo Province, joined the then University of Durban-Westville in 1993 as an Optometry student having graduated with a BSc degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.

On completion of his degree, he was appointed as a clinical resident in the Department during which time he obtained a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Ocular Diseases and Pharmaceutical Applications from the New England College of Optometry.

In 2000, Mr Mashige was appointed as Associate Lecturer and in 2008 as Head of the Department of Optometry.

In 2003, whilst conducting field research, Mr Mashige was seriously injured in a tragic motor vehicle accident which left him a quadriplegic. Through his determination and the support of colleagues, family and friends, he was able to come to terms with many challenges, returning to the Department of Optometry in 2005.

MA GRADUATE SUCCEEDS AGAINST ALL THE ODDS INCLUDING A DEVASTATING FIRE!

Graduate Eunice Mihigo
with Mr André Young
Convocation Executive and
UKZN Council member.

Mrs Eunice Mihigo completed her MA degree in Population Studies at UKZN under extremely challenging circumstances…as a part-time student she had to commute twice a week between the Eastern Cape and Durban to attend lectures, she was pregnant while carrying out her research and - to top it all - a large part of her research work was destroyed in a fire!

A junior Sociology lecturer at the Walter Sisulu University in Unitra, Eastern Cape, the mother of three lost all her belongings when her house burned down in June last year.

Work towards her degree included course work and a dissertation titled: ‘Reproductive Decision-Making in an Era of High Levels of HIV and AIDS and Unwanted Pregnancy among Young People: A case study of the Nelson Mandela Drive Campus (NMD) in the Eastern Cape,’ which she completed in one year.

HUMAN NUTRITION STUDENT EXCELS

Miss Sumaya Ismail Sooliman.

Miss Sumaya Ismail Sooliman, who has graduated with a BSc Degree in Human Nutrition, has a natural passion for people and for helping those less fortunate than herself – attributes she inherited from her father, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers organisation.

Miss Sooliman (23) has also been awarded the Valley Trust Nutrition Award for being the most outstanding final year BSc student in her field. Miss Sooliman, who changed her choice of degree three times before pursuing Human Nutrition, said she was extremely excited to be graduating.

“I am extremely happy; I wouldn’t change it for anything else,” she said. “My father advised me that nutrition is the way to go as this is a rapidly advancing field and since then I have never looked back.

“People are my passion. I want to help people and see results. Most problems in the world are caused by poor diet.

PHOTOPHONICS A REVELATION IN CLASSICAL MUSIC FROM MA GRADUATE

Ms Fiona Tozer.

The compilation of Photophonics - a portfolio of music created by a UKZN Master of Arts in Music Composition graduate - adds a new dimension to music composition in the classical genre.

Ms Fiona Tozer’s innovative work titled: ‘Photophonics: A Collection of Compositions for a Variety of Ensembles and Musical Media based on a Selection of African Landscape Photographs by Meryl Riley,’ places her among the cum laude graduates.

While considering ideas for portfolio concepts four years ago, Ms Tozer said she was drawn to Ms Riley’s photographs and felt their content could be re-expressed through music.

Her Masters research dissertation was presented in the form of a portfolio of eleven classical compositions, each capturing a different aspect of visual art in the photographs.

Among her creations is Snapshots, a composition for piano which presents a biography of the photographer in short sketches derived from recorded critiques of the photographs in nine languages.

HAEMOPHILIA FOUNDATION PROJECT LAUNCHED

From left: Head of the Department of Haemotology,
Professor VB Jogessar;; Haemophilia Project
Co-ordinator, Dr Rajendra Thejpal and
Senior Professional Nurse in Haemophilia
at the King Edward VIII Hospital, Sister Phumi Nkosi.

The Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation project has been launched at a function at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine.

The launch - attended by Department of Health officials, Haemophilia Foundation members, academics, clinicians as well as patients living with haemophilia – is seen as a milestone in the improvement of health care for haemophiliacs in KwaZulu-Natal.

Haemophilia is a genetic disorder which impairs the body’s ability to prevent blood clotting. The effects of this disorder are manifested in men while the carriers are women.

KwaZulu-Natal has the largest number of patients living with haemophilia in South Africa – a total of 300 – while there’s only one comprehensive treatment centre based at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban.

CRITICAL THINKING AT THE CORE OF TEACHER'S PHD

PhD graduate Dr Angela Stott
with Convocation Executive
Mr Mafika Ngubane.

In a teaching career spanning 19 years, Dr Angela Stott implemented innovative methods which extended into research she undertook to achieve her PhD in Science Education.

Dr Stott's research titled: ‘Promoting Critical Thinking in School Physical Science’ introduces an instructional model she has called “The Ladder Approach to Teaching Science in the Classroom.” Dr Stott believes the method encourages critical thinking among science learners.

Her three-year research included the participation of 60 learners from the Domino Servite School in the Kwasisabantu Mission Station near Kranskop where she teaches. During this period Dr Stott performed action research on her Grade 10 to 12 physical science teaching. This was done to determine the best approach in promoting critical thinking among learners while also complying with the Physical Science curriculum requirements.

The current Outcomes Based Education curriculum, which supports critical thinking, prompted Dr Stott's study. She hopes that this research will assist teachers in their teaching practice.

NEW MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME FOR LAW STUDENTS

Seated from left: Mr Sandile Khoza (Deneys Reitz); Mr Stuart Scott
(LSC Academic and Transformation Co-ordinator); Mr Khulekani Dumisa
(President of the LSC); Mr Derek Reed (Director of Deneys Reitz); Mr
Thami Majola and Mr Amanda Mfuphi, Lecturer (third row left)
with mentors

The Law Students’ Council (LSC) has introduced a new mentorship programme to help first year law students adapt to the complexities of university life.

Leading law firm Deneys Reitz is sponsoring the Law Council Mentorship Programme run by third and fourth year law students.

Since its inception last semester, the programme - through its 25 mentors - has assisted 50 first year law students.

This initiative supports students by first resolving any social challenges they face before assisting with academic difficulties that may arise. Mentors spend about three hours a week with students who seek help.

Acting President of the LSC and one of the co-ordinators of the mentorship scheme, Mr Khulekani Dumisa, said the programme identified a need for a separate student-centred programme focusing on law students.

“We wanted to introduce a less formal project which focused on the social issues affecting the lives of new students. Once they adapt on a social level they are likely to improve academically.”

UKZN RADIO PLANS TO REACH ALL CAMPUSES SOON

UKZN Radio staff having fun at the studio.

UKZN Radio, a radio station based on the Westville campus and catering for the University community in its entirety, hopes to expand to all campuses later this year through audio streaming.

The station was established in 1982 as AUDWAX (A University of Durban-Westville Auditory eXperience) but following the merger the name changed to its current title.

It is a student-oriented station aiming to educate, inform and entertain the UKZN community while at the same time being a communication medium between and within the university management and students.

UKZN Radio has produced a number of high profile personnel including Kenny Maistry, Metro FM; Sirshin Moodliar, East Coast Radio; Desiree Simelane, East Coast Radio; Justice ‘Just-ice’ Ramatlole, Radio 2000 and most recently, Jennifer ‘Jenni May’ Mayisela, East Coast Radio. It has become training grounds for students with passion for radio.

UKZN Radio hopes to expand to all five campuses later this year through audio streaming and is waiting for approval of its application for a broadcasting licence.

FOOD SECURITY WORKSHOP

Delegates from across the African continent at the workshop on
Measuring and Monitoring Food Security.

UKZN’s Africa Centre for Food Security (ACFS) at the Pietermaritzburg campus hosted a successful workshop from March 9 to 19.

The workshop was attended by delegates from across the African continent. The theme for the workshop was “Measuring and Monitoring Food Security”. The workshop’s objective was to build capacity for food security measurement and monitoring to support in-country measurement and monitoring of food insecurity.

“The specific aim of the workshop is to explore a range of food security measurement and monitoring approaches and tools available to assist in country stocktaking, analysis and monitoring of households’ food security relevant to the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme’s (CAADP)’s Pillar 3 and suggest the most appropriate measures for monitoring progress on Pillar 3 at country level,” said Professor Sheryl Hendriks, ACFS Director and Head of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness.

RESEARCH OFFICE HOSTS LUNCH FOR POST-DOCTORAL STUDENTS

At a post-doctoral lunch hosted by the Research Office are:
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Professor Nelson Ijumba
(extreme right) and Professor Cheryl Potgieter, Dean of Research
(fourth from left) with post-doctoral students.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Professor Nelson Ijumba, and Dean of Research, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, hosted 60 post-doctoral students at a recent lunch on the Westville campus.

The event, attended by Deans of Faculties and leading researchers - advised post-doctoral students about future research endeavours and provided a platform for interaction between students and UKZN’s research community.

Welcoming guests, Professor Ijumba emphasised the importance of support structures for those embarking on post-doctoral research. He suggested the formation of an organisation of post-doctoral students aimed at keeping one another aware of research developments.

In his call for growth in post-doctoral research, keynote speaker, Professor Nceba Gqaleni, Chair: Indigenous Health Care Systems at UKZN, indicated a need to improve on the quality of research generated and increase the number of researchers undertaking post-doctoral research.

AUTHOR MANDLA LANGA ADDRESSES HUMANITIES GRADUATION CEREMONY

Mr Mandla Langa.

Internationally renowned author Mr Mandla Langa used the theme: “We are the Sum of our Aspirations,” when he addressed UKZN’s College of Humanities graduation ceremony.

Mr Langa emphasized the importance of education in society. “Education plays an important role in advancing the stage of human social development and organisation.”

Mr Langa said there was an urgent need to cultivate a strong cadre of thinkers if South Africa was to make headway as a nation. There was an intrinsic need to benchmark the current socio-political fortunes against the background of history and calculate the extent to which society was colluding in the extinction of what makes a great society.

“We need people, scholars that will always remind us of what we have forgotten; our languages are lying in ruins and the forthcoming generations are slowly and ineluctably inheriting a cultural, if not linguistic, wasteland.”

HOBBY BECOMES CAREER FOR PHD GRADUATE

Boredom and disinterest in her job inspired Dr Susan Haskins to study for her PhD through UKZN… more or less as a hobby!

But after two years of hard work she realised she had chosen the right road and wanted to be a full-time academic!

Her efforts bore fruit when Dr Haskins of was awarded her PhD for her thesis: ‘the Judgement of an Ass: Constructions of Female Sexuality in Apuleius’ Metamorphoses.’

In her study, Dr Haskins confronts the issue of power raised in Michel Foucault’s History of Sexuality from a feminist perspective in relation to an African novel written in Latin by Apuleius of Madaura in the second century of the Christian era.

FORMER JOURNALIST ACHIEVES HIS DOCTORAL GOAL WITH APLOMB

Dr Marc Caldwell

Former journalist in the Eastern Cape, then journalism lecturer in Durban and now the recipient of a Doctorate in Cultural and Media Studies, Dr Marc Caldwell has travelled a long and winding road to this pinnacle of his academic career.

Dr Caldwell’s thesis is titled: ‘Between Empiricism and Intellectualism: Charles Taylor’s Answer to the Media Wars.’

The thesis gets to the heart of a key contention between cultural theorists and certain journalism trainers who consider the theorists to be relativists, linguistic idealists, and a range of epithets that contradict the realist and empirical outlook of journalism practice.

Dr Caldwell’s study uses the case of the perennial split between theory and practice in journalism education and training to demonstrate how the Canadian philosopher, Charles Taylor, is relevant to the methodology of cultural studies. The thesis shows how Taylor’s views of agency in culture can defuse differences between realists and idealists in situations where theory appears to contradict practice.

ALUMNUS DINNER IN CAPE TOWN

Graduates in discussion at the Cape Town
alumnus dinner

The Alumni Affairs Office co-ordinated a get-together in Cape Town for UKZN graduates earlier this month at Emily’s Restaurant at the V&A Waterfront.

The dinner provided an opportunity for the 50 alumni to renew old acquaintances, meet fellow alumni and receive an update on developments at their alma mater through the presentation delivered by guest speaker, Professor Dasarath Chetty, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Corporate Relations.

Attendees were given information packs containing a selection of University publications as well as the opportunity to ask questions on a variety of issues.

Similar events will take place in Pretoria and Johannesburg on June 12 and 13. Alumni living in these areas are strongly encouraged to attend and receive an update on the latest developments at UKZN.

ILLUSION ON DISPLAY DURING BRAIN SCAM PRESENTATION

Mr Mahommed Moorad

Professor Kriben Pillay of UKZN’s Leadership Centre will preview his unusual presentation, “Brain Scam,” at the Graduate School of Business (GSB) Auditorium on Saturday, May 9 at 7pm.

“Brain Scam” is an experimental work that uses illusion to explore the nature of consciousness and perception, which is now becoming central to research in leadership studies.

This live presentation features master illusionist, Mo Magic (Mr Mahommed Moorad), and premiers on May 17 at Lincoln University in the United Kingdom during the Third International Conference on Consciousness, Theatre, Literature and the Arts.

Professor Pillay will present a paper on: ‘The Use of Illusion in the Pedagogy of Leadership Studies,’ at the conference.

Mr Moorad is an engineering graduate of the former University of Natal and holds a managerial position at Toyota.

Seats for the preview performance can be booked through Ms Julie Wyngaard by emailing wyngaardj@ukzn.ac.za. Seating capacity is limited to 100 and bookings will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Refreshments will be served after the performance.