Prof Sehoole’s inspiring vision for the Department includes the further development of the department’s already formidable teaching and post graduate supervision capacity, as well as a commitment to the provision of a high level of service excellence to both the undergraduate and post graduate students catered for by the Department.

The development and implementation of an action plan stemming from the lively and interesting discussions held over the 2 days will now take priority during the department’s regular monthly meetings.

An interesting and highly valued participant at the strategic planning session was Dr. Johan Hendrikz, manager of UP’s distance education programme. His enthusiasm and insight into this mode of delivery is both catching and impressive.

Another welcome contribution came from Mrs. Joyce Olivier of the NRF, who explained how the rating process works, what its benefits are, and finally how one can position oneself to be ready for rating.

The final guest speaker, Dr Genevieve Simpson from the Department of Higher Education and Training, lead an interesting discussion on how publications are evaluated for inclusion in the accreditation list.