The Faculty of Education’s Teaching and Learning Awards event, which is held annually to celebrate and thank outstanding academics from the various departments for their dedication, took place in the foyer of the Groenkloof Auditorium on 1 November 2022. In her opening address, Prof Salome Human-Vogel, Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning, welcomed those present, and in particular the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic, Prof Loretta Feris, who spoke at the event.

In her address titled ‘Teaching and learning in a period of change, uncertainty and innovation’, Prof Feris referred to the fact that the teaching and learning environment is faced with constant change and uncertainty and said that it is important for higher education institutions (HEIs) to deal with uncertainty by considering how disruptions can be used to their advantage. She further stated that it is important to develop alternatives to the disruption and create opportunities, but that in doing so it will also crucial to consider the crises that may still arise. Prof Feris also highlighted how the pandemic affected HEIs, showing them how they were able to adapt to the chaos, make use of it, and come up with creative ways to teach and learn.

Hybrid learning was one of the new teaching and learning methods that HEIs had to develop. ‘The teaching and learning team have the ability to influence the DBE system through educating them. It is also important that the teaching and learning team inspire and influence student teachers in ways that make an impact and improve the lives of learners and the community’, said Prof Feris. 

The following academics received awards:

Category 1: Student-centred Learning Experience Design
Small class category: Hanlie Botha
Medium class category: David Sekao
Large class category: Nelson Manganye

Category 2: Future of Education Lecturer of the Year Award
Small class category: Adebunmi Aina
Medium class category: Nombuyiselo Caroline Zondi
Large class category: Annelize du Plessis-de Beer

Category 3: Model Lecturer of the Year Award
Small class category: Clinton van der Merwe
Medium class category: Nadia Swanepoel
Large class category: Nele Loubser

In his final remarks, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Sehoole, thanked Professor Human-Vogel for organising such a wonderful event. He continued by talking about how teaching and learning can change people’s lives and how, in a university context, it is important to recognise and value the outstanding work done by our lecturers.

Professor Sehoole then thanked Prof Feris for her contribution and assured her that ‘as a faculty, we have been successful in addressing and dealing with the challenges that you have mentioned’. He assured those present that the Faculty recognises and values the good work done by everyone and said that he had committed himself to annually writing an article on World Teachers’ Day to pay tribute to teachers, including his Grade 1 teacher.