HoD), Psychology (Prof Jackie Moodley, HoD), Social Work & Community Development (Prof Shahana Rasool, HoD) and Anthropology & Development Studies (Prof Jonathan Stadler, HoD). The final cluster, and a rapidly growing one in terms of numbers and vibrancy, would be Communication. Here we have Strategic Communication (with Prof Elizabeth Lubinga as Head) and Communication and Media (with Prof Admire Mare as Head),” she said. They have two Heads of Schools – one for Languages (Prof Zilibele Mtumane) and one for Communication (Prof Sifiso Zondo). They also have ten research entities (including three SARCHI Chairs, one headed by Prof Chris Landsberg, another by Prof Ashwin Desai, and a final one by Prof Tanusha Raniga). Prof Naidoo has three Vice-Deans: Prof Pragna Rugunanan (Vice-Dean Research), Prof Corne Meintjes (Vice-Dean Teaching & Learning) and Prof Bhaso Ndzendze (Vice-Dean Internationalisation). “So, as you can see, I have a big and diverse team – and together they work conscientiously to ensure that the Faculty is working and producing. We have about 6000 students and 190 staff members.” The Faculty of Humanities focuses on teaching in the broad areas listed above, they produce research and are involved in community engagement. As regards teaching, a large part of their time is focused on producing excellent students. “Despite huge challenges, we have managed to produce competent pass rates of about 88% (overall). We are constantly seeking to avert dropouts – and this remains a serious issue that we discuss each year. All staff are active in publishing, and we produced our highest-ever number of accredited publications (including books) in 2023,” she shared. The Faculty has a wide range of master’s programmes.
Most are discipline-specific, but a growing number are interdisciplinary. They are aiming for more joint programmes, such as their newly launched MA (Africa and the Caribbean) programme (a joint initiative between the UJ Politics and International Relations Department, UJ, and the University of the West Indies). So what is her vision for the future, and what prospects does she have for the Faculty? As the Executive Dean, Prof Naidoo’s interest is in ensuring a Faculty that sets high academic standards, but also mentors students to achieve those standards. “Academic and research excellence are key priorities – but so too is a caring and community-focused staff and student population. There are lots of future plans but perhaps two that have been foremost in my mind. The first is to strengthen community engagement. The second is to drive graduate employment,” she said. She said they have worked hard to build numerous partnerships – with other African institutions and more globally. These partnerships have allowed the Faculty to expand its pool of collaborators, popularise short learning programmes and continue to debate, as well as explore various topics – such as the role of 4IR, social and political transformations, mental health issues, youth and inequality (amongst others). “The Faculty has also hosted a Distinguished 4IR Seminar Series, bringing in local and international speakers to address us on key matters related to 4IR. All these innovations in 2023 positioned the Faculty in good stead, allowing us to achieve 37 academic initiatives advancing 4IR and a total of 59 teaching and learning initiatives drawing on technological innovations,” she said.
1. Event: UJ Staff Day: Faculty of Humanities team 2. Dr Oluwaseun Tella, Prof Pragna Rugunanan, Prof Kammila Naidoo, Prof Suzy Graham, and Pro Anthony Kaziboni. Event: UJ Staff Day: Faculty of Humanities team 3. Prof Pragna Rugunanan, Prof Kammila Naidoo and Prof Suzy Graham 4. On the red carpet is Dr Shelley Barry, her mom, Pam, and Dr Aimee Viljoen-Stroebel. Event & Award: SAFTA Award : Best Documentary Short Award for ‘A Camera on My Lap’ shot film. Dr Berry directed, wrote and produced the film, and Dr Viljoen-Stroebel was the editor. 5. Dr Mampoi Mabena, Lecture - English Department UJ Event & Award: Best Academic Paper Award (PAPER TITLE: “I hear the cry but I do not see the tears”: Indirectness in Bribery Negotiations) - at the 2nd SAHUDA_NIHSS BIENNIAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE. 6. SAFTA Award : Best Documentary Short Award ‘A Camera on My Lap’ shot film.
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