.jpg)
An impressive number of Rhodes University staff were honoured recently at the annual Alty Awards, in which 32 Alty and Vice-Chancellor’s Awards were made to University staff in recognition of recently attained postgraduate qualifications.
During the event, in which 45 University staff were acknowledged for their academic achievements, 15 Alty Awards were made to nine staff with PhDs and six with Masters; 17 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, including three honours graduates in the Library Services department, two Bachelor’s degrees, three National Senior Certificates, five NQF Level One and four Postgraduate Diploma’s in Higher Education.
This year’s numbers are two up on last year’s, in which 13 awards were made to five doctoral and eight Masters level qualifications. Notably this year the number of staff graduating with PhDs is nearly double that of last year.
Dr Sizwe Mabizela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs at Rhodes University said the event comprised “one of those special times where we acknowledge, honour and celebrate the success and academic achievements of our colleagues.”
He highlighted the “sacrifice, tenacity and steadfast dedication” that is required in the pursuit of postgraduate qualifications, adding that “your fine achievements are all the more special given that you’ve pursued your studies while holding down a job at Rhodes University. Your success confirms and emphasises that Rhodes University values education and is a place of knowledge.”
Mrs Sarah Fischer, Director of Human Resources as Rhodes University, said the impressive number of staff completing postgraduate qualifications is illustrative of the University’s commitment to making postgraduate study opportunities available to staff.
“I am sure you can see by the breath of qualifications recognised by these awards that the University strives to ensure that staff at all levels who are improving their qualifications are acknowledged,” she said, adding that this is consistent with University’s Staff Development Policy, which states that “Rhodes University is striving to create an organisational culture where all staff strive for excellence and where development is seen as critical to the achievement thereof.”
According to Mrs Fischer, University staff must be supported through providing appropriate opportunities and resources such as fee remissions, in-house professional development courses such as those offered by the Centre for Higher Education Research Teaching and Learning and Human Resources, removing barriers to development through the provision of study leave for support staff, academic leave for academic staff and through recognising individuals for engaging in personal development.
The Thomas Alty Award is made to staff in celebration of post-graduate qualification at Masters and PhD level; the Vice-Chancellor’s Award celebrates the achievement of qualifications that fall in the range of an NQF level qualification, the equivalent of Grade 9, and honours level. Additionally, the certificate of assessment recognises effort made by staff to grapple with the issues of student learning and how to assess a diverse student body to ensure that students who are graduating meet the high standards of Rhodes University.
By Sarah-Jane Bradfield
Picture by: Adrian Frost