New study: strong leadership practices in schools drive improved performance Dr Dumisani Hompashe, Research Associate at the Institute of Social and Economic Research at Rhodes University
At the Basic Education Sector Lekgotla in 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “We need a functional leadership and accountability system that involves the school management teams, the teachers, the representative councils of learners, the school governing bodies and the community at large.
Rhodes Music Radio back in full force
Rhodes Music Radio (RMR) is fully back on air after having had a reduced programming schedule since December 2021. The newly-appointed Station Manager, Unathi Koboka, officially relaunched the station with her new team last week. RMR is a campus-based community radio station located in the heart of Rhodes University.
Infrastructural upgrades take centre stage at sports facilities
Rhodes University Sports Administration has had a facelift recently. According to the Sports Administration Manager, Frans Mamabolo, this was necessitated by the fact that the infrastructure is as old as the University.
CPGS hosts a panel on multilingualism as a part of Rhodes University’s Postgraduate Conference
Postgraduates from around the country and the world gathered on 02 September 2022 to take part in a panel hosted by the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) of Rhodes University.
Crossing the Borders of Knowledge: 2022 Postgraduate Conference kicks off at Rhodes University
On 01 September 2022, the annual Rhodes Postgraduate Conference kicked off with a discussion on how we can ensure that knowledge created in higher education institutions crosses borders and is utilised to address the needs of the people and the planet.
Rhodes University officially robes Dr Madosini amid her family and community
On Saturday 03 September 2022, Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela officially handed over a hood and gown to Dr Latozi Madosini Mpahleni, in full view of Dr Mpahleni’s family and the community at Mkhankatho village in Libode, outside Mthatha.
Prestigious scholarship recognises two Rhodes University Honours graduates
Two Rhodes University Honours graduates, Kristen Paige Burgess and Emily Ann Webster, were awarded the Patrick and Margaret Flanagan Scholarship this year (2022). Burgess is currently enrolled for a Master's in Chemistry at Rhodes University and Webster for a Master's in English Literature at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Rhodes University academic appointed in President's anti-corruption watch group
Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies TV Lecturer and PhD candidate Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki has been appointed to President Cyril Ramaphosa's National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council.
From the archives into the spotlight: Rhodes University helps bring attention to early anti-colonial writer S.E.K Mqhayi
Much of Southern Africa's documented history is dominated by the written records of the colonial project. As a result, the region's history is either murky or neglected. But Rhodes University’s Library Services, through its Cory Library branch and in collaboration with the University of Cape Town (UCT), plans to change this through the Five Hundred Years Archive (FHYA) project. The project seeks to make diverse historical materials available to researchers.
The Registrar inspires support for women in leadership, upliftment of girl children and action against gender-based violence and femicide
On 25 August 2022, the Rhodes University community and public at large were invited to the fourth virtual public lecture in which the Registrar of Rhodes University, Professor Adéle Moodly, reflected on the advancement of women in leadership in higher education institutions. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation Professor Peter Clayton, welcomed everyone to the public lecture.
University of Bayreuth and four African universities continue forward-looking cooperation in the Cluster of Excellence
The University of Bayreuth and four African universities will continue their successful cooperation in the Cluster of Excellence "Africa Multiple" in the next three years. High-ranking representatives of the five partner universities signed an agreement to this effect today in Lagos. The University of Lagos (Nigeria), Moi University (Eldoret, Kenya), Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso) and Rhodes University (Makhanda, South Africa) will thus continue to strengthen and advance joint projects in the fields of research and knowledge transfer with their "African Cluster Centers (ACCs)".
Intellectual Giants of the Eastern Cape premiers at the Zanzibar International Film Festival
Following two preliminary exclusive screenings at Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare, the 65-minute-long documentary film, Intellectual Giants of the Eastern Cape, officially premiered at the 25th Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) in June 2022.
First Makhanda, then the world for The Printing Girls
When six former Rhodes University fine arts classmates decided to revive their love of printmaking six years after graduating, they formed a collective and mounted a life-changing art exhibition at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda.
Rhodes University Chamber Choir back on tour after a two-year hiatus
The Rhodes University Chamber Choir (RUCC), conducted by Mr Kutlwano Kepadisa, are currently on their first tour since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. They are visiting Johannesburg and Bloemfontein between 19 and 23 August 2022.
How Professor Lobb overcame lockdown restrictions to enhance the computational chemistry curriculum
On 16 August 2022, Associate Professor in Chemistry Kevin Alan Lobb delivered a lecture titled "Software-based chemistry and its ideal placement in remote and post-COVID learning". The lecture explored teaching strategies that assisted students during remote and online teaching and how they remain useful now that in-person instruction has resumed.
Work of the heart – a thought-provoking conversation with alumna Nombulelo Gongqa
On 12 August 2022, Nombulelo Gongqa, a Rhodes University alumna and the current Director of Organisational Change/Transformation at Diocesan School for Girls (DSG), hosted a conversation titled "Work of the Heart" for the postgraduates of the Organisational Development course at Rhodes University.
Stable Life: bringing us back to balance
Manager of Academic Administration Suzette Flanagan presented the effect of horses on people's well-being in her motivational address at the annual Registrar's Division Women's Day event on 10 August 2022. This event recognises women's strengths in adversity and is done in commemoration of women and girl-children who continue to experience the injustices of a patriarchal system.
Backlash against Higher Education Department’s draft university policy misses the point
The draft university policy is not about the public sector at all. Instead it sets out the future designations that will be available in the private higher education sector. It attends to the demand by private institutions that they too should be able to call themselves ‘universities’.
Much-loved Visitors’ Book retires due to POPI Act
Situated for years in full view in the Alumni House foyer, a historical Visitors’ Book has been available for students, parents, alumni, and visitors to comment in and leave their details. Sadly, due to the Protection of Personal information Act (POPI), this book will no longer be able to be used for its intended purpose.