Faculty of Health Sciences Affinity Group launch: serving humanity through innovation and collaboration is key
The month of August saw the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Alumni Office in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences officially launching the Alumni Affinity Group. The opening and welcome address was given by the MC, the Director of the Biomedical Engineering and Healthcare Technology Research Centre, Prof Habib Noorbhai. The Executive Dean of Health Sciences, Professor Sehaam Khan, said the establishment of the Faculty of Health Sciences Alumni Affinity Group was pegged on common goals and mutual interests. “Outreach should not solely be focused on donations (though that is welcome). Your expertise can enhance the knowledge economy within our committees and on our boards; We value the support and mentorship that you can provide to our new graduates,” said Khan. She said the aim of the launch was to strengthen collaborations and establish new relationships with prospective industry partners and, in doing so, to elevate the student experience, enhance the sustainability of our community engagements through a partnered approach, and promote the professional standards of our respective professions. In his address, Convenor of the Faculty of Health Sciences Alumni Affinity Group, Darren-Lee Kwong, said what he admired about the University was their drive for inclusivity. “If you look at some of the important points of the UJ mission, it is to transform and serve humanity through innovation and
collaboration. And I think that is a great segue as to what the Affinity Group is all about,” he said. Lecturer of Nuclear Medicine in the Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (MIRS) department, Lindiwe Charlotte Manzana, said the Faculty of Health Sciences offered a range of postgraduate programmes, all listed on their website. “Through research and education, we can grow our profession and implement policy through evidence-based practices,” she said. Speaking about the community work the MIRS Department was involved in, she said she was excited to announce a food drive as part of the gRADtitude programme by colleagues in the Department. “Staff and students from our department donate non-perishable items that are distributed to less fortunate students within the UJ community,” said Manzana. She concluded by encouraging the alumni to connect via the UJConnect platform through the UJ website: ujalumni.co.za. “The platform allows us to be the change we want to see in our profession. To all our key stakeholders and industry partners, you play an important role in the profession and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of healthy relations, continued engagement and strong relations.” she said. A question and answer session was led by Prof Habib Noorbhai, with senior manager of Alumni Relations, Nell Ledwaba, closing off the event with a vote of thanks to the audience.
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