The theme for this year’s Academic Orientation Programme (AOP) is “Scholarship in a context of Transformation”. While this programme is developed with new academics to Rhodes in mind, it is open to all.
Hosted by the Centre for Higher Education, Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL), the AOP facilitates the sharing of important information, experience and expert knowledge of academics, strongly “underpinned by scholarship” according to HOD Dr Lynn Quinn. With academics from across campus participating in the programme, the AOP is certain to broaden the horizons of all who attend.
The programme will be opened on Tuesday 25 January, by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Saleem Badat, emphasising the importance of transformation in terms of South Africa’s development. Drs Lynn Quinn and Jo-Anne Vorster of CHERTL will then focus on the institutional context of Rhodes University, speaking to issues around structure and culture of the context and the implications for academic agency.
The focus of Wednesday (26 January) is learning and teaching, with Professors Chrissie Boughey, the Dean of Teaching and Learning, and Rose Boswell -recipient of the VC’S distinguished teaching award and Head of the Anthropology Department- kick-starting the day’s programme with a particular focus on diversity. Thereafter, Dina Belluigi (CHERTL) will frame a session on “Reflexive practice for the development of teaching and learning”, sharing different staff sharing innovations around curriculum development, assessment and evaluation. Presenting academics include Hans-Peter Bakker (Management) and Natalie Donaldson (Psychology) both currently studying towards their Postgraduate Diploma of Higher Education (PGDHE) at Rhodes.
Thursday will be a day of discovery where research and community engagement is discussed in depth. Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Development, Dr Peter Clayton, will present an overview of research at Rhodes and Associate Professor of Fine Art, Ruth Simbao (who was the recipient of the VC’s Distinguished Research Award in 2010) will talk about how she manages the supervisory relationship.
Professors Heila-Lotz Sisitka and Paul Maylam will follow with presentations on the learning, teaching and research nexus, while a panel of academics, including Rotary Grahamstown Citizen of the Year, Dr Kenneth Ngcoza and environmental scientist, Prof Charlie Shackleton will share different ways in which academics engage with the community.
Ms Corinne Knowles will also share information about the Women’s Academic Solidarity Association (WASA) and how they support the research of women at Rhodes University.
The programme on Friday will be opened by Dr Sizwe Mabizela, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs. Two recently promoted members of staff Dr Sally Matthews (Politics) and Dr Enocent Msindo (History) will follow by sharing their experiences.
The week will end with a safari lunch including a campus tour by Professor Hugo Nel, Head of Economics and an architectural enthusiast.
The following week (31 – 4 Feb) is dedicated to Teaching and Learning with Technology and will offer a wide range of hands on workshops for academic staff on a range of issues including assessment, plagiarism, collaboration and the use of RUconnected, the institutional Learning Management System. Other sessions include using images in teaching, research tools and podcasts and video.