VUT appoints new ED: Centre for Academic Development
VUT appoints new ED: Centre for Academic Development
By Nontobeko Zondi – 14 June 2021
Newly appointed Executive Director: Centre for Academic Development- Dr. Muntuwenkosi (Muntu) Chili
Dr. Muntuwenkosi (Muntu) Chili has been appointed as the new Executive Director for the Centre for Academic Development at the Vaal University of Technology. He graduated with BSc majoring in Chemistry and Biochemistry in year 2002; BSc Honours in Chemistry in year 2003; MSc in Materials Chemistry in year 2005 and with a PhD Chemistry in year 2011 at the University of Zululand.
He worked as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer (promoted in 2013) at the University of Zululand between 2006 to June 2013. His work involved lecturing Chemistry, supervision/evaluation of students’ projects, conducting community outreach projects. From July 2013 to June 2021, he worked at Mangosuthu University of Technology as Deputy Director in the Teaching and Learning Development Centre. He has developed himself by completing Post Graduate Certificate in Education with UNISA and Management Development Programme with University of Stellenbosch. He further enrolled for a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education for Academic Developers with Rhodes University, and graduated in 2017. This has enabled him with necessary skills and knowledge as he works in a dynamic environment. He believes working in an enabling environment will provide a complete career development and open platform to add value to other people.
In describing himself, he said he is a humble person and passionate about his work. “The passion always led me to challenge myself daily and to learn new skills that helped me to improve my work, for example, coming from the Science background, I took it upon myself to develop, study and grow in the Academic Development area. I’m ambitious and goal driven”. He further stated that he thrives on challenge and constantly set goals for himself, so he has something to strive towards. “I’m not comfortable with settling, and I’m always looking for an opportunity to do better and achieve greatness. My success must be the success of the team I work with as I believe in teamwork” he elaborated.
He said that VUT is a well-established institution and has a major role to play both to its staff and students. His passion has always been the student success. “The work that CAD do, be it in staff development, student development, blended learning/e-learning and co-operative education must be data driven with an end goal of student success. My role will be to support and guide the expertise in CAD in fulfilling its mandate of providing good service to staff and students. Collaboration within CAD and that of CAD with faculties and other support structures within the institution will have to be strengthen. I presume we are all at VUT for the success of students, therefore collaboration is critical” he stated.
With the challenges that we are facing due to COVID-19, Dr. Chili proclaimed that the pandemic has forced institutions that were behind with online teaching and learning to fast-track such a move, this in teaching, learning and support of students. The new paradigm shift brought by COVID-19 juxtaposes systems in teaching and learning as it yielded how people view the world and construct new meaning in their life. He further mentioned that as the CAD they need to be at the forefront of these new innovative ways of teaching, learning and support to our students. “The pandemic has compelled us to rethink the future of the higher education system” said Dr. Chili.
In his closing remarks, he alleged that the pandemic has brought many challenges world-wide, one of them being job losses that we continue to experience and the increasing unemployment rate. Therefore, as colleagues in the higher education sector we should allow ourselves to move with time and embrace new ways of doing things using technology. We should avail ourselves to opportunities to be skilled and re-skilled, as they say we should be life-long learners.
“Throughout my career I have attended, participated and presented in various national and international conferences. My research areas of interest are teaching and learning in higher education; higher education management and academic development with student success as the end goal” he concluded.
F’SASEC gives new students a warm welcome
F’SASEC gives new students a warm welcome
Thomas Raseshloka & Nthabiseng Mokwena
F’SASEC VUT students “Vision 2020”
The French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre (F’SASEC) warmly welcomed this year’s students on 17 February.
The current cohort of students is named “Vision 2020” and is divided into two groups of 23 students each to make it easier for lecturers and students to build an educational relationship. The name “Vision 2020” is in hope of the students growing insights and understanding the electrical engineering industry far better.
On 25 February, Vision 2020 partook in an induction to prepare them for the use of the F’SASEC labs and facilities.
Mr Potego Morwamotshe, facilitator at F’SASEC, said that the main purpose for this induction was to familiarise students with the rules and regulations as well as the importance of safety in electricity. Mr Morwamotshe added that the rules are the first thing students need to know and adhere to before they can start with their practical’s. “I have to make sure that they understand all these rules,” he concluded.
Mr Riaan Greeff, F’SASEC Co-ordinator noted: “Our goal this year as F’SASEC is to make sure students believe more in themselves.” He elaborated on how the team always encourages students to ask questions and participate in lectures because that is vital for self-empowerment.
F’SASEC is looking forward to having a productive year filled with determination and one that will be memorable and successful for Vision 2020.