by Kegorapetse | Dec 13, 2019 | SMU Media
Background, as you all know, with the extension of the 2019 academic year to January 2020, there are a number of matters that should be brought to the attention of students and staff in respect of the 2020 undergraduate and postgraduate registration period in January and February 2020.
Important Matters for your Information
Concurrent management of re-examinations; registration of returning students and registration of first entering students
As a result of the revised 2019 university calendar activities spilling over into January and February 2020, there will be a number of activities competing for the same space and time in January 2020. At a glance, the following activities will be taking place simultaneously from 6 January 2020 to 24 January 2020. More details can be obtained from the link below:
2020-Registration-and-Readiness-and-Related-Matters
by Kegorapetse | Dec 6, 2019 | SMU Media
It has come to the attention of the University Management that two Facebook messages purportedly from an ‘SMU EFFSC’ account posted on the 30th November 2019 the photograph of one of our lecturers and her family, accusing her of student victimisation and racism. While the University has taken a strong stance against student victimisation and racism no matter who the perpetrator may be, we would not condone any unlawful act such as defamation of character in any media channel. The University have channels of communication where student or staff can raise their concerns or grievance on any matter so that serious allegations of this nature could be tested.
The SMU EFFSC has denied any involvement in this unfortunate incidence and it seems like a fake account might have been used. Our ICT Department have now been tasked with investigating the origin, in particular if this originated from our students or staff on campus.
I urge all students and staff to refrain from any form of defamation of character as this would attract the highest possible disciplinary measure that the University has within its disciplinary code. In addition, the perpetrator would be liable and could be criminally charged under the South African law.
I thank you all for your continued support as we continue to build a better and tolerant SMU community.
Warmest regards,
Download: VC_20191203-Defamation-of-character
by Kegorapetse | Nov 28, 2019 | SMU Media
The term ‘vaccination’ is defined by Oxford Dictionaries as ‘treatment with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease; inoculation’. In the past 60 years, vaccines prevented more than 2.5 million deaths each year, caused by various diseases like smallpox and polio.
The World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan 2011-2020 in May 2012 for counties to reach above 90% vaccination coverage, a target not reached by most countries in the sub-Saharan Africa region. The Public Health Pharmacy and Management Department in the School of Pharmacy, the Virology Department and the South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre (SAVIC) based at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in 2017 started an annual Vaccination Catch-up Campaign in Tshwane, in response to sub-optimal coverage rates. Prof Hannelie Meyer, Acting Head of the Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management emphasised that such an initiative would give children the opportunity to catch-up on any scheduled vaccinations they might have missed or receive the ones that are due.
In 2018, the Vaccination Catch-up Campaign took place on three Saturdays at a BigSave store in Mabopane, Sekampaneng primary school in Hammanskraal and at Calvary church in Lusaka, Mamelodi, respectively. These locations were strategically chosen by the Department of Health, Tshwane District Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in accordance with their statistics.
“A small survey conducted during the campaign revealed that often children miss their vaccinations due to parents not having time during the week to go to the clinic. Furthermore, most parents reported that Saturdays are more convenient for them”, said Mr Kesentseng Jackson Mahlaba a PhD candidate in Pharmacy.
According to Mr Mahlaba, healthcare professionals should infiltrate areas of need and serve people by providing platforms that will improve access to healthcare services. Due to public-private partnerships, various partners and sponsors, namely Department of Health, SANOFI, SAVIC, BIOVAC, Big Save, the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa and SMUAPS contributed to the success of the campaign.
The campaign reached 675 children over the three Saturdays with over 50% of them receiving the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine, given at 5 – 6 years and 12 years.
by Kegorapetse | Nov 14, 2019 | SMU Media
Kgomotso Sephuma (26), SMU graduate and Master of Science (Chemistry) student is a proud manufacturer of Queline washing powder. “Ever since I started studying science, I always wanted to have my own manufactured product. What pushed me to manufacture washing powder is the need of the product in our lives and I knew for sure that with the knowledge of science and the skill I have acquired in the laboratory, nothing is impossible,” said Kgomotso, who have degrees in BSc (Biochemistry & Chemistry), and BSc Honours (Chemistry), both from SMU.
“Queline is so strong that it can remove stains in all types of clothing material without changing or tempering with the fabric and the powder can be used in both washing machine, and hand wash,” explains Kgomotso, who is currently an Intern at Aspen Pharmacare Nutritionals.
*NB: To place orders, WhatsApp: 084 801 0632 or Instagram: Luculants_pty_ltd.
#WeAreSMU #DintshangKoSMU
By Tumelo Moila
by Kegorapetse | Nov 14, 2019 | SMU Media
Dear community member, the Board of SMU FM invites you to an Elective Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held on Friday 22 November 2019 at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.
SMU-FM-971-Call-for-Board-of-Directors-Nominations-2 (1)
by Kegorapetse | Nov 11, 2019 | SMU Media
Prof Eunice Seekoe, a distinguished academic who has made a meaningful contribution in the higher education space has now joined the SMU as DVC Teaching, Learning and Community Engagement. Padi Matlala from communications speaks to her to find out her plans in this critical portfolio.
As Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) teaching, learning and community engagement, what is it that you are planning to do to prepare health professionals trained at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) to meet the demands of the NHI and the 4IR?
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University is in its fifth year of existence and is the only one of its kind in South Africa. Human resources are critical to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage reform. Competent health professionals are required to ensure high quality health systems and success in the NHI implementation. South Africa is introducing a national Digital Health Strategy required for the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
The NHI and the National Digital Health Strategy during the 4IR will transform the way health services are provided and the way in which health professionals engage with services. The 4IR takes place at an opportune time for transforming the health system in South Africa. These innovative transformative imperatives present great opportunities for educating health sciences students at SMU.
These innovations will benefit patients who are seeking access to health care services. Patients will be empowered to make choices of health facilities to use based on the quality of care they receive. Health systems managers will be able to fulfil their roles. Health care professionals will provide better services and empower all citizens to manage their personal health routines using Digital Technologies. SMU graduates will contribute towards health sector priorities in assisting the country to deal with the quadruple burden of disease, improving quality of health care, improving mother and child health and support health systems transformation for the NHI.
In order to support the above, I will ensure that SMU produces health professionals with the right skills, competence and values, who will graduate as transformational and ethical leaders, self-directed and lifelong learners. SMU will produce graduates who are independent, critical thinkers, problem solvers, decision makers and team workers who embrace technology and communicate effectively. These graduates will be able to identify, analyse and address the health care needs of individuals, families, community and the population at large.
SMU graduates will be able to respond to the National Department of Health’s Strategic Principles of a person-centred focus, expanded access, innovation for sustainable impact, digital health work force for economic development. Our graduates will be able to compete locally and globally.
To download a full copy of the interview, click From-the-DVC-Teaching-Learning-and-Community-Engagements-Desk
