Two academics in the Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences Department recently returned from a visit to UK universities – an opportunity made possible through the Research Exchange Programme grant.

Dr Kathleen Naidoo and Dr Heidi Thomas spent seven days in the UK where they met with research partners at the University of Derby.

“This collaboration allowed us to work jointly on data from our international research project focused on person-centred care. We were also given a guided tour of the university’s simulation laboratory, where we observed a variety of advanced simulation stations. The visit provided valuable insights into their innovative methods of simulation-based teaching and learning,” said Naidoo.

“In addition, our British Academy mentor invited us to De Montfort University (DMU), where we spent the day with the Radiography team. This visit offered an excellent opportunity to learn about their academic programme, pedagogical strategies, and teaching practices.”

Thomas said the visit reinforced the many similarities shared between radiography education in the respective countries.

“A key highlight was the openness and enthusiasm of the UK colleagues in exchanging ideas and sharing best practices. The experience was both inspiring and productive, strengthening our existing partnerships and laying the groundwork for a potential new international collaboration/s in the future.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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About 100 students are receiving a daily meal from a feeding scheme initiative run by the Radiography clinical departments at Tygerberg Academic and Groote Schuur hospitals (GSH) in partnership with the CPUT’s Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences (MITS) Department.

The project was started after Estelle Herbert, the MITS Department’s co-ordinator of the BSc Diagnostic Radiography programme at Tygerberg, delivered a talk for radiographers at the hospital on how students were coping and what challenges they might be facing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Herbert said Tygerberg Hospital staff wanted to know how they could assist the students, which prompted her to do a survey, across all four disciplines, at all hospitals involved in clinical training of CPUT radiography students.

“What came out was that students did not even have a proper meal.”

The radiography staff at the two hospitals and staff of the MITS Department decided to support the students by launching a feeding project.

Radiography staff members at Tygerberg Hospital, Bardene Dreyer, Daphne Manyamala and Theresa Afrikaner, and Nazlea Behardien-Peters and her team of radiographers at Groote Schuur, facilitate the project. Herbert and Dr Merlisa Kemp, Head of the MITS Department, are facilitating the support from MITS who provide non-perishable items to the Radiography clinical departments for use by students in need.

Kemp said the radiographers in the Radiography clinical departments took the initiative to donate bread, spreads, non-perishable items as well as to make soup and sandwiches for students in need.

“Approximately 100 students are reached and meals are provided every day, mainly at lunch time where the responsible staff, together with a few volunteers, will make sandwiches,” Herbert said.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Two academics in the Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences (MITS) Department have been honoured with outstanding reviewer awards by the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.

The recipients were Diagnostic Radiography lecturers Kathleen Naidoo and Gerhardus Koch

Naidoo, who joined the Department in 2019 said she has been a reviewer for two years and was honoured to receive the award.

“I have reviewed a large number of articles with a special focus on qualitative research in radiography as this is my area of expertise in research. I am very excited to receive this award as the journal is a highly recognised journal in international radiography research publications. This award is only given to four reviewers each year, so it is quite an honour to be acknowledged by the journal for my work.”

Koch, who joined CPUT in 2021, received the award within his first year of working with the journal.

“As a young academic, this award has motivated me to work even harder towards reaching my professional goals. It really is an amazing feeling to be recognised for the work that you do and that from an international, DHET accredited journal. I am happy to have made a difference and to have contributed positively towards my profession.”

Dr Merlisa Kemp, head of the MITS Department, said Naidoo and Koch have done outstanding work.

“I am immensely proud of the MITS staff who, despite the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, still managed to produce approximately 30 research outputs, which include research articles and e-book chapters. The Department also celebrated the achievement of Dr Aladdin Speelman, who was awarded his Doctorate in Radiography in December 2022.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences’ Life Science Revision project is growing from strength to strength, with nearly 200 matrics from three high schools joining in a recent revision session at CPUT.

The project was launched in 2018 by the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences’ Prof Kareemah Najaar, to help more learners achieve the minimum requirements to qualify for programmes in the science field.

Matric learners and teachers from Lavender Hill High School, Wynberg High School and Langa High School visited the Bellville Campus for the first revision session of the year, with 43 tutors volunteering to assist the learners.

The tutors included staff and students from all seven departments in the Faculty: Emergency Medical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Wellness Sciences, Nursing, Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences, Ophthalmic Sciences and Dental Sciences and, for the first time, tutors from the Department of Medical Biosciences at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

“Over the years, since its inception in 2018, this community project has grown in numbers and evolved in design, efficiency and leadership. What started as a project with myself and 15 tutors and one department supporting one high school with Life Science revision, now has a pool of approximately 100 tutor volunteers from seven FHWS departments as well as volunteers from UWC who are supporting three high schools,” said Najaar.

“I am also now part of a powerful leadership team, with Dr Wendy Solomon and Ms Marnel Germishuys, who work tirelessly to ensure the efficient planning and execution of each revision session. We are very proud of what has been termed as a Faculty Flagship.”

In previous years, a school would serve as the venue for the revision session, but this year learners were welcomed on campus, where they received valuable exposure to the institution.

Plans to expand the project are in the pipeline.

“Before the end of 2024, we intend inviting two additional schools from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Paarl district. We also intend to invite the Medical Biosciences Department, UWC to officially partner with us and continue to increase the number of adopted high schools.”

Najaar said a fundamental component of the project’s success was to use the feedback from the teachers and learners and adapting operations and revision content to their needs.

“I do believe that we have created a tutoring model that is able to adapt to various scenarios, from serious events such as the COVID-19 pandemic (when technology is not available to the disadvantaged) to an unexpected significant decrease in tutor numbers. The ever-adapting model ensures that the matric learners are provided with quality revision sessions in preparation for their final exams.”

Langa High School teacher, Nandipha Mandongana, said the project afforded learners the opportunity to revise topics that they may otherwise not have time for.

“The exposure to CPUT also serves as a motivation. They know what is expected of them in terms of their results if they want to make it (to CPUT) next year.”

Najaar said that in 2021 a significant component was added to the community project, that seeks to empower the young women in matric.

“In support of the national Sanitary Dignity Programme, we provide feminine hygiene products to the female students, in the hopes of making a small difference to the quality of education for young women.”

She thanked all role-players who contributed to the project’s success.

“We would always first give thanks to our tutors who volunteer their time and create a welcoming environment for the matric learners, without whom this project would not be possible. A warm thank you to our colleagues from UWC, who volunteered their time and skills. A heartfelt thank you to our teachers who provide us with the opportunity and guidance during the planning and execution of the revision sessions. We are also in appreciation for the received support from the Dean’s office as well as the Centre for Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning, Service-learning division.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences (MITS) Department recently celebrated a momentous occasion when it held its first-ever pledge ceremony for BSc1 students.

The event, hosted by lecturers Dr Kathleen Naidoo and Heidi Thomas, marked a significant milestone for the BSc1 students, as they prepare for their first clinical placements this month. A number of national and international speakers were invited and close to 100 students attended the event.

“When we reflected on the student journey at MITS, we felt that there was a need to bring in something that would help to remind and ground students on the importance of the profession they have chosen," said Naidoo. The pledge serves as a poignant reminder of the core values and motivations behind choosing a career in Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences. It aims to act as an enabling tool, offering motivation and encouragement during challenging times, and helping students “remember who they are, where they are, and why they are here”.

The participating students represent the four key disciplines within MITS – diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine technology, diagnostic sonography, and radiation therapy. The pledge is a formal promise that the students make to the profession, their patients and themselves as radiographers.

The day culminated in a candle-lighting ceremony where students collectively read their pledge and signed the MITS pledge book, solidifying their commitment to the journey ahead.

Reflecting on the success of the inaugural event, Thomas expressed optimism for the future, stating: "We are pleased to say that the first ceremony went well, and we look forward to hosting future pledge ceremonies."

Written by CPUT News
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