The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Education held its annual Research Indaba at the Groenkloof Campus Auditorium on 9 October 2015, with the theme, ‘Learning today...leading tomorrow’.

Prof Max Braun, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education, welcomed Prof Thobeka Mda, the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, as keynote speaker for the Indaba. Prof Mda opened up a discussion on research excellence and innovation, after which Ms Lucy Sibanda, from Rhodes University, presented her aptly titled thesis on ‘Applying a linguistic complexity checklist and formula to the 2013 Grade 4 mathematics ANAS’.

The presentations given at the Indaba revolved around the themes of quality, support and technology; management; identity and professionalism; and ecosystemic factors, teaching and partnerships. The outstanding quality of the abstracts and presentations showed why the Faculty of Education is a leading faculty in the country.

Madelyn Cloete won the prize for the best MEd novice research abstract for her thesis titled ‘Investigating the dual professionalism of a professional accountant and professional education practitioner in South Africa - a mixed methods approach’.

Roxanne Longueira’s research on ‘Exploring the functionality of the South African Education Quintile Funding System’ earned her the prize for best MEd research in progress abstract, while the award for best MEd completed research abstract went to Nicolaas Blom for his thesis on ‘Extended information processing during the early phases of the design process: a case study’.

The prize for best PhD novice research abstract was awarded to Lugemoi Wilfred-Bongomin for his research on ‘Experiences of primary school inspectors in ensuring quality teaching and learning in northern Uganda’, while Jean Meiring’s thesis, ‘The relation between academic commitment, self-determination and academic achievement in Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners’, won him the award for best PhD research in progress abstract.  

Dr Marlize Malan van Rooyen’s research on ‘Indigenous pathways to adaptive coping in rural communities’ earned her the award for best PhD completed research abstract, and the award for best presentation went to Dr Pardikor Madjitey, for his presentation on ‘The socio-educational development of children of street vendors in Ghana’. Dr Wendy Carvalho-Malekane received the award for the most methodologically innovative study abstract for her research on ‘Biracial voices from the South African context: The construction of various racial identities by young adults with parents from different racial heritages’.

Bookmark awarded book voucher prizes for exceptional abstracts of completed PhD studies to Dr Eva Sujee for her research on ‘The effect of computer technology on  learning in a multi linguistic class’ and to Dr Ntabiseng Mailwane for her research on ‘Ecosystemic factors influencing the accessibility of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services for young children with disabilities’. 

View the photos of Research Indaba 2015.