Research

A distinguished award for a distinguished scholar

Share
Opening access to mathematics education for black children is the main passion of Unisa’s Prof Nellie Feza, recipient of an international award for mathematics education.

Prof. Nellie Feza (Head: ISTE) (second from right) receiving the Distinguished Scientist award at the Venus International Foundation, India

Feza, who is head of Unisa’s Institute for Science and Technology Education (ISTE) at the College of Graduate Studies, has received the Distinguished Scientist award in Mathematics Education. The ceremony was hosted by the Venus International Foundation, Centre for Advanced Research and Design, in India on 3 December 2016.

This award comes after she was nominated for her contribution in mathematics education, focusing on learners’ thought processes when learning mathematics. It serves as a validation of Feza’s initiatives, discoveries, and developments in the discipline of mathematics education, and means that her work on how black children participate in mathematics, and their ability and resilience to succeed, is being read and recognised.

This is not the first time Feza’s work in early childhood mathematics has gained attention in the international community. She was previously recognised by the University of Michigan in the United States as a diversity scholar in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. She has contributed to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Mathematics Teaching in the 21st Century (MT21), which has broadened her research.

Nationally, Feza has made an impact too. She was commissioned by the Presidency of South Africa to conduct a study looking at early childhood education provision, its quality and accessibility. The findings were compiled in an influential report titled, Diagnosed Review of Early Childhood Development, which informed policy on Grade R provision.

As Feza continues with her research, she is adamant that black children are “able and can be whatever they wish to be regardless of the background status they grow up under”. She is living proof of that.

*By Silindile Didiza and Mpho Moloele

Share

Publish date: 2017-02-07 00:00:00.0

Unisa Shop