by Lorato | Mar 23, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Professor Nathaniel Mofolo heeded the call in 2017 and enrolled for a professional Doctorate in Business Administration in Higher Education Management offered by the University of Bath in the United Kingdom (UK). The University of Bath has established itself as one of the top 10 UK universities with a reputation for research and teaching excellence.
This was a collaborative partnership with the Nelson Mandela University’s (NMU) Teaching Development Grant funding from the DHET to implement the Future Leaders Initiative programme. The programme aimed to provide high-level development opportunities for professional, administrative, management and support staff involved in leading and managing sections or divisions linked to the academic project in universities. It also aimed at enhancing the general quality of teaching, student learning and success.
Prof Mofolo was part of the second cohort of 27 senior professional staff who started in 2017. The professional Doctorate is an innovative, research-based programme designed to meet the needs of senior professional staff. It is offered on a part-time basis, through a blended mode of delivery, with four 8-day residentials (contact sessions) in the first two years of the programme. The first and last residentials were held at NMU and the other two at the University of Bath. After the two years of course work, a doctoral research study is undertaken. This means that the programme, generally, takes 4 to 8 years to complete. Professor Mofolo completed his Doctorate in 2022; and he is the third to complete in his class. He will be graduating on the 19th July 2023 in the UK.
The title of his thesis was: Evaluation of the implementation and assessment of AfriMEDS physician competency framework in an undergraduate medical programme: A South African mixed- methods case study.
The study focused on the evaluation of the implementation and assessment of milestones achieved in entrenching the AfriMEDS physician competency framework in an under- graduate medical programme in South Africa. The study concluded by showing that a framework, guidelines and benchmarked assessment tools are needed to infuse the AfriMEDS framework to transform an undergraduate medical curriculum. Furthermore, the developed guide- lines, when implemented, will lead to the improvement of the quality of medical students.
SMU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbati, on behalf of the university congratulates Prof. Mofolo for this monumental achievement.
The Dean of the School of Medicine at SMU Prof Nathaniel Mofolo attains a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from a UK based University
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Created: 23-03-2023
Updated: 23-03-2023
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by Lorato | Mar 16, 2023 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko paid a courtesy visit to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) on 10 March 2023. She was accompanied by senior officials
from her department including the Acting Head of Department Lesiba Malotana and veteran medical practitioner Dr Victor Ramathesele.
In his welcome address, the SMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbati lauded the MEC for choosing to visit SMU despite the difficulties she was currently dealing with in the health sector. The Vice-Chancellor made a high-level presentation, focusing on the University’s strategic direction, highlighting the key university projects undertaken in support of its core business and the challenges that the university faces.
The VC appealed to the MEC and department to intervene on amongst other things; the conclusion of multilateral and bilateral agreements with the department; creation of government funded additional posts,
especially specialists in both the Schools of Medicine and Oral Health Sciences; slow recruitment processes to vacant posts; slow submission of performance contracts from joint appointees. Mbati further requested that the MEC looks at the delays in finalizing outstanding administrative matters in the School of Oral Health Sciences.
Subsequent to the VCs presentation, the Dean of the School of Medicine Prof. Nathaniel Mofolo painted a picture of the challenges encountered in rendering services in particular at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital – a key SMU clinical training platform. He appealed to the MEC for assistance in terms of alleviating some of the challenges encountered including infrastructure and staffing issues. Mofolo mentioned that following a meeting with the Joint Health Sciences Committee there was commitment towards a revamped new state of the art Dr. George Mukhari academic tertiary teaching hospital. He emphasized that many postgraduate students come to SMU when they want to specialize because of the rich skills found in the University.
Prof. Dini Mawela, the Acting Dean of the School of Oral Health Sciences spoke about the challenges confronting the School and appealed for assistance from the department. She further provided an update on the positive visit by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to SMU.
In her response, the MEC stressed that the status quo in terms of the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital has to change especially considering the number of patients it serves and its role as an important clinical training platform for SMU students. Regarding the dental clinic located at SMU, the MEC promised to assist in the best way possible such as in the procurement of instruments required at the dental hospital. She also spoke about the idea of having a mobile unit that will render dental services in communities emphasizing that the department is localizing health care including in informal settlements. She also encouraged the university to provide a list of students who are supported financially by the department to be forwarded so that payments could be expedited to address any challenges. She highlighted that students produced at SMU should complete their studies and start doing their internships in Gauteng hospitals to strengthen capacity.
The MEC committed to come back by the end of March with concrete responses on the issues raised and to take a tour of the Campus. The MEC, is known for her commitment in ensuring that the health systems and processes are managed in such a way that they are fit-for-purpose and take into consideration the size of the Gauteng healthcare system and the kind of skills that are needed to provide adequate and effective care to the over 16 million people of the province, majority of whom rely on the public healthcare system. SMU, being a health sciences institution, clearly, has a role to play, in partnership with the Gauteng government.
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visits SMU
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Created: 16-03-2023
Updated: 16-03-2023
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by Lorato | Feb 21, 2023 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
The Motsepe Foundation invited 26 SRC members of public universities in SA to one of their initiatives called, Universities in Dialogue on 16 February 2023. The purpose of the session was to engage SRCs on how they can work together to find solutions to student challenges.
The conversation centred around four key questions which formed the basis of the engagements. These questions were:
- What are the challenges facing the students?
- What are the challenges faced by SRCs?
- How could private partnerships better support the Higher Education sector?
- How do you see the various stakeholders collaborating for the betterment of the higher education sector?
Some of the challenges raised by the students in attendance included:
- Lack of funding for Postgraduate students
- Student accommodation
- Food security
- Youth unemployment
- Student allowances not realistic to the material conditions.
- Lack of support for disabled students, and;
- Lack of sanitary towels.
The following are some of the proposed solutions:
- Centralisation of funding from various funders.
- Policy development to regulate funding opportunities.
- The creation of a feeding scheme in higher education for students so that the allowances can be directed to some of the urgent students’ needs.
SMU Director of Student Affairs, Mr. Tulani Nkuntse indicated that this was such an important day for student leaders as the Foundation donated 30 million Rands as a contribution to helping SRCs to fight challenges faced by students.
In her speech, Dr Motsepe urged the student leaders present, to take the money and approach other possible donors to challenge them to either match or exceed what the Foundation had donated.
“For SMU, this means so much as we have serious problems with outstanding student debt that prohibits them to continue their studies. We have a cohort of our students that go hungry on a daily basis because they have no means to support themselves; there are realities of the ECP students who are no longer funded by NSFAS and the list goes on, said Nkuntse”.
Nkuntse further indicated that the generous and kind contribution by the Motsepe Foundation will be channelled towards assisting SMU students in the best way possible. “We would like to call upon other people to join hands with us and assist us to support our students through these kinds of donations. Our SRC has constantly reiterated their commitment to raising funds to assist needy students and we fully support them as such contribution will assist with the ongoing efforts by the university to raise funds and support its student population”, he concluded.
The gratitude expressed by students for these donations was heart-warming and illustrated a deep commitment and passion young people have towards provision of solutions to the problems in the higher education sector.
SMU is grateful to the Motsepe Foundation and look forward to many more donors coming on board to help us fight challenges faced by the students.
SMU SRC receives 1.3 million from the Motsepe Foundation
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Created: 21-02-2023
Updated: 21-02-2023
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by Lorato | Jan 24, 2023 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Alizwa Boco who hails from Sakhela in Umtata (Eastern Cape) was formally welcomed to SMU today, 24 January 2023 by the management of the University led by the Registrar Dr Jeffrey Mabelebele and the Deputy Dean of the School of Medicine Prof Risenga Chauke and other officials. She achieved 7 distinctions obtaining 97% in Physical Sciences and 88% in Mathematics, thus making her the overall top achiever in the OR
Tambo district of the Eastern Cape.
The top achiever from Holy Cross Senior Secondary School in South Ridge, explained that Matric was very tough for her and appreciated the support she received from her parents which made it easier for her to succeed. “I also got a lot of help from my teachers and would study for more than 10 hours in a day. I only slept for 2 to 3 hours and the rest of the time was used for studies, something I started at grade 11”, she said.
Regarding her decision to study medicine at SMU, Alizwa mentioned that it was while taking a walk in her town with a friend when she came across a medical practice with a Dr’s name on it and upon closer examination, she saw the name of the University and decided to go to search engines to find out more about SMU and later took a decision to apply to study. Her passion for medicine has always
been there as a child, however while in grade 8 and 9, her teachers convinced her to do actuarial sciences and this became a source of confusion. Nonetheless, it was after the advent of Covid-19 when she took a firm decision to become a doctor. “I was even prepared to go serve during Covid-19 while many were scared of the virus. If the department of health had called for volunteers in hospitals, I would have been amongst the first to go serve”, she said.
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Newsflash - Eastern Cape top performer Alizwa Boco chooses to study Medicine at SMU
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Created: 24-01-2023
Updated: 24-01-2023
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by Lorato | Nov 4, 2022 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media
Prof Zach Koto, Head of Surgery at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, was recently elected as the President of the Association of Surgeons of South Africa (ASSA). He wants to see ASSA grow to a point where it also mentors young surgeons apart from looking at the affairs of surgeons in the country. Under his capable leadership, he hopes to see the association address many pressing challenges that include amongst others training, inadequate funding for training posts in public hospitals, equipment issues and the disease burden that threaten to overrun surgical programmes across various training platforms. Prof Koto is an ordinary individual who likes to work hard, challenge himself continuously to be a better version of himself. Focus on SMU reporter caught up with him to get insight into his role as the president of the association.
His thoughts on taking up the role of President. “I have previously served in the executive committee as a representative from academic centres as head of the department, I served in various capacities for many years in the association and I think for colleagues to have confidence in me and elect me as president is indeed an honour and privilege. It is an association that organises surgeons across the width and breath of South Africa and does many things in terms of surgical care and training. I am looking forward to working with a very able executive committee under the chairmanship of Prof Paul Goldberg, Secretary Dr Claire Warden, and treasurer, Dr Mbulelo Khenene. I’m looking forward to working and serving as the president of the association,” said Prof Koto.
Prof Zach Koto is the new President of Association on of Surgeons of South Africa (ASSA)
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Created: 04-11-2022
Updated: 04-11-2022
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by Lorato | Oct 31, 2022 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbati hosted a delegation from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) on the 14 October 2022 at SMU. This meeting comes against the backdrop of an initial meeting that the VC held with the Minister of DALRRD, the Honorable Thoko Didiza and her Department to explore the possibility of the reintroduction of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Health at SMU, necessitated by the realization that there is an increased need for veterinary training in the country.
As a way of introduction, the Chief Director for Sector Capacity Development, Ms. Lebogang Botsheleng, who led the Departmental delegation, made a brief contextual presentation with regard to the increased need for veterinary training in the country. She indicated that Cabinet has taken a decision regarding the introduction of veterinary Sciences and Animal Health to be hosted by at least two additional universities; and that SMU was encouraged to submit a proposal for consideration by the Department. The ARC was represented by its CEO, Dr. Litha Magingxa and its Group Executive Animal Sciences, Dr. Andrew Magadlela.
In response, the VC indicated that SMU has a new business model, which amongst others, seeks to ensure that the university diversifies its PQM and increases its student enrolment to ensure that it becomes financially sustainable. In this context, it is anticipated that the reintroduction of a range of veterinary studies will make a significant contribution towards this strategic objective.
The VC further indicated that the university has commissioned a feasibility study with regard to the reintroduction of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Health, which will be completed by the end of November 2022. He stated that this study will inform proposals on a responsive curriculum and the required capacity (human, physical and technical), which will be done in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders.
The meeting also acknowledged that, internationally, South African graduates are in high demand; which is an indication of the quality of veterinary training that South Africa provides; a strength which needs to be harnessed.
In conclusion, the parties made a commitment for further consultative meetings to consider the outcomes of the SMU commissioned feasibility study and to chart a way forward.
VCs Desk - Engagement with DALRRD and ARC on the re-introduction of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Health at SMU
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Created: 31-10-2022
Updated: 31-10-2022
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