Vice Chancellor's Education Initiative
In February 2015, Prof Sizwe Mabizela’s inauguration as Vice-Chancellor marked a pivotal moment for Rhodes University and its relationship with the community of Makhanda. His vision for the university to not only be situated in Makhanda but to be integrally of and for it, especially in terms of addressing the disparities within the basic education sector, has inspired a profound project aimed at transforming local education.
To actualize this vision, Dr. Mabizela convened an exceptional team from across the University and city, drawing from both internal and external experts with a rich history of contributions to the education sector.
This team has been the driving force behind developing a unique, innovative model for educational intervention. Their approach, rooted in changing the operational environment of schools and implementing strategic interventions, aims at catalyzing fundamental improvements within the education system. The model emphasizes responsibility and strategy, balancing the need for sustainable, long-term impact with tangible short-term outcomes.
Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has been marked by its pragmatic and flexible nature, focusing on systemic change while also celebrating yearly successes. Notably, the mentoring intervention at the Grade 12 level has contributed to a record number of Bachelor level passes among Makhanda students in recent years.
This project has not only been a beacon of hope for young learners in Makhanda but has also brought considerable benefits to Rhodes University. It has enhanced the university's credibility within the community, fostered better employer-employee relations, united the Rhodes community, and solidified its position in the community engagement sector.
The following Rhodes University Community Engagement programms fall part of the Vice Chancellor's Education Initiative:
Last Modified: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:53:57 SAST