Dr Zenixole Tshentu  (BSc(Hons), UPE; PhD, NMMU 2006)

Analytical/inorganic chemistry lecturer

His academic career started at NMMU in 2005 as a junior lecturer in the chemistry department before joining the Rhodes University Chemistry Department as lecturer in 2007.

Teaching: my passion for teaching has been carved out of the desire to share knowledge and create independent thinkers. It has been said that ,“the prevalence of the use of non-conceptual approaches of learning by students is an indication that these approaches are successful in other contexts, and that this experience has largely shaped their perceptions of appropriate ways to be using their time” (Nieman and Monyai, 2006). In other words they think that conceptual learning takes too much time without immediate rewards, and only invest their time in algorithmic and information-based approaches where the assessment approaches reward the time they’ve invested. Educators need to change these perceptions if they are to create independent thinkers.
Research interests: radiopharmaceutical development, development of vanadium-based anti-diabetic pharmaceuticals and heterogeneous catalysts, and metal ion separation (see the inorganic chemistry research webpage for more information).
Awards: NRF-Y-rated scientist (2008- ).

Contact InformationTel: +27 46 6038846 ; Cell: +27 826699886; Fax: +2746 6225109
Postal Address: Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, SOUTH AFRICA.

Courier Address: Room F44 Department of Chemistry, Cnr of University and Artillery Roads, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, SOUTH AFRICA.

Email Address: z.tshentu@ru.ac.za.