The Office of the Dean: Teaching and Learning and Student Support Services (SSS) in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) hosted its annual Academic Monitoring and Support (AMS) Appreciation and Certificate Ceremony on 11 November 2022 to acknowledge the CHS AMS team.
The College implements UKZN’s AMS policy through a comprehensive strategy aimed at proactively identifying students in need of support and intervening timeously. The CHS SSS team ensures that the holistic needs of every first entry student are identified at the inception of their University journey, with layers of support offered by student counsellors, peer wellness mentors, academic mentors, teaching assistants and academic development officers.
The CHS AMS team collectively supports students in teaching and learning, and living, learning and social spaces. It was at the forefront in supporting students during the COVID-19 lockdowns as well as their transition back to campus.
Director of proceedings, Student Counsellor, Mrs Wulganithi Thaver outlined the programme that offered insights into student experiences, voices of students and the key outcomes and impacts of the AMS programmes.
Manager: Student Support Services, Dr Saloschini Pillay highlighted the critical role of the mentors, who are the first responders and who serve as a conduit between support services and students. Pillay expressed appreciation to the skilled front-line support teams that enable students to continue with and successfully complete their studies.
Dean of Teaching and Learning, Professor Sinegugu Duma shared AMS’ highlights in 2022 and future initiatives: ‘This year we transitioned from online programmes to full face-to-face interaction. It was not easy for both students and staff, but with the assistance of ICS, we look forward to a new and improved online first-year experience and an automated student wellness and academic transformation (SWAT) programme in 2023.’
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at UKZN, Professor Sandile Songca highlighted the three essential components of any teaching and learning programme, namely, the student experience, student-centredness and student support and emphasised that all are required when monitoring a student’s progress. He highlighted the need for the youth to embrace both self-directed learning and entrepreneurial skills due to South Africa’s high unemployment rate.
The commitment and dedication of the Peer Wellness Mentors, Academic Development Officers, First Year Experience Mentors, First Year Experience Facilitators, Academic Mentors, Teaching Assistants and Student Counsellors in ensuring first-year students’ smooth transition to the College was acknowledged.
Words: Wulganithi Thaver and Mandisa Shozi
Photographs: Supplied
