1. Executive Dean, Prof R Songca, Director School of Law Prof MN Slabbert, Mrs B Malebo with a group of students attended the Indaba
The School of Criminal Justice and School of Law in conjunction with the Black Lawyers Association(student chapter) and Unisa Law Student Association hosted the inaugural Student Indaba on the 25th September 2012. TheIndaba covered a wide range of topical issues from the need and changes in curriculum, Registration, Student Counselling, Assignments and Examinations, Library, as well as the University e-learning initiatives that has been approved by the Department of Education and the University.
The presenters were from a diverse spectrum of fields in the Unisa Students Affairs service structures all essential to cover as many topics as possible:
- Prof R Songca, Executive Dean, College of Law
- Mr Isaacs,DSAA, Assessment: special examinations, etc.
- Mr K Maseko, Tutorial Support, Tuition and Facilitation of Learning.
- Ms Bridget Malebo,DSAR, Registrations.
- Dr J Mashiapata,DCCD, Counselling, career and academic development.
- Dr W Louw, CPD, E-learning and e-tutors.
- Dr S Bopape & Mr T Constable, Library, Library matters.
Inher opening Prof Songca introduced the newlyappointedCollege of Law Management: Prof R Songca, Executive Dean; Prof K Pillay, Acting Deputy Executive Dean; Prof MN Slabbert, Director, School of Law; Prof J Kriel, Acting Director School of Criminal Justice and others in the College Management present at the Indaba. She emphasised that the importance of the Indaba wasto engage with the students within the College on new initiativesnot only in the College but within the institution as a whole, and that the new changes within the institution and the College taking place, management sawthe need to start a tradition ofinteracting with the students through Indaba’s thatwould to take place annually. She reassured the students that they would receiveall the time,interventions, improvedservices and information they needed. She thanked the students and hoped that this meeting would be the beginning of fruitful and lasting relationships between the College and the students.
Mr Sanel Mhlugu presented the new changes in the way Unisa will implements the delivering of their tuition model online and urged the students to be ready of those developments. He called them “Tsunami” because student will be affected that is Revolution in a context of change that is E-learning, moving online “Tsunami” is coming, he said. Out of 2000 students only few got access to computers. There is an engagement that every student should be provided with a computer. The advantage of it is that the delay of study material will be avoided because with e-learning, the study materials will be available immediately after registration and assignments will be marked online by the lecture.
Various Unisa services to students were discussed from Assignments, examinations, registrations, changes in curriculum, library training for students, Counselling that is free to students, E-learning and demonstration of new technology. Students got evaluable information and they were urged to familiarise themselves with the Institution new developments by accessing the updated calendars each year to see what is new or coming?
The students asked questions regarding the poor service and the non-recognition of the Unisa LLB degree by other Law firms. The Deanassured the students thatit was in fact not true that the Unisa degree was regarded as less important than those of other universities. She further stated that to study at Unisa is a privilege and challenge at the same time because students who graduate from Unisa are not spoon fed, they are disciplined and committed individuals. The College also has gotGrow Your Own Timber Project that assists those students who want to become academics.
Story written by Lessiah Mtshweni
