Prof Ina Joubert, current Acting Head of the Department of Early Childhood Education, was appointed as permanent Head of the Department as from 1 February 2016.

Prof Joubert has more than 35 years experience in education and six different qualifications from a variety of South African universities. She has been a school principal, a lecturer and senior lecturer in distance education, an associate professor and now a head of an academic department.

She has published a total of 12 books and also numerous book chapters and accredited articles in leading academic journals. Twelve postgraduate students have completed their studies under her supervision, with average completion times of 3.6 years, which is well beneath the average completion time in the Faculty of Education for both master’s and doctoral students.

Prof Joubert’s work in literacy in the foundation phase and citizenship education for young children has brought several accolades to herself as well as the ECE department. She has been invited as a scholar to universities in Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, the USA, the UK and Australia.

During her time as acting head of department, she has diversified the staff contingent in the department and has initiated several potential partnership discussions with leading international organizations in ECE. She has also led several curriculum renewal processes.

We welcome Prof Joubert to the leadership team in the Faculty of Education! We look forward to the wonderful new initiatives that will be brought forth in the fields of Early Childhood Education and foundation phase education, under her leadership.