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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Three outstanding CPUT women academics have been named as finalists in the prestigious 2024 HERS-SA Higher Education Women Leaders Awards.

The awards recognise the achievements of South African women in Higher Education who lead, inspire, and motivate those in and outside their institutions to be more and do more. It is aimed to inspire and attract new leadership talent to the sector, thus creating role models, advancing gender transformation, and creating visibility for higher education women leaders in South Africa.

The three CPUT finalists are:

Prof Kareemah Najaar, senior lecturer in the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences, who was nominated in the Women in STEM category. She is the leader of a community project that supports Life Science matric learners from selected disadvantaged schools in preparation for their final exams.

The project has been running for six years and has become a Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences service-learning project as well as an inter-institutional endeavour with the University of the Western Cape’s, Medical Biosciences Department.

Dr Gunjan Gupta, senior lecturer in the Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering and F’Sati, who has been nominated for the Emerging Young Women Leaders (academic) Award. Gupta has published numerous technical papers in accredited journals, peer-reviewed conference proceedings, and book chapters. Her research focuses on LoRa Networks (Reliability and accuracy), LPWAN Technologies, LoRa-based Air quality IoT devices, LoRa WAN in satellite communication (CubeSats), and Satellite systems mission and design. Her current research activities include the Integration of LoRaWAN and 5G for IoT, LoRa Direct-to-Satellites, and IoT ground stations.

Dr Ekaterina Rzyankina, lecturer in the Department of Maritime Studies, who was also nominated for the Emerging Young Women Leaders (academic) Award. Rzyankina’s research area focuses on the education of STEM subjects in engineering. Rzyankina aims to support students by utilising digital technology to enhance their understanding. Her theoretical framework is rooted in Cultural Historical Activity Theory, which she uses to analyse and improve educational practices.

The winners will be announced during the Awards Gala Dinner, which will be held at the Two Oceans Aquarium on 29 August.

*Profiles of the three finalists will be published later this month.

Written by CPUT News
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A passion for her work, combined with a desire to empower the next generation, has earned Prof Kareemah Najaar a finalist spot in the prestigious 2024 HERS-SA Higher Education Women Leaders Awards.

Najaar, a senior lecturer in the Department of Emergency Medical Sciences, is a top five finalist in the category Women in STEM.

She is the leader of a community project that supports matric Life Science learners from selected disadvantaged schools in preparation for their final exams.

The project has been running for six years and has become a Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences service-learning project as well as an inter-institutional endeavour with the University of the Western Cape’s, Medical Biosciences Department.

“In addition, in the past three years we have included a project that supports the National Sanitary Dignity programme that is aimed at empowering women. The co-project leaders are both professional women at CPUT and creating opportunities for the development of women in Higher Education is part of what I am being recognised for too,” said Najaar.

She said her heart skipped a beat upon learning that she was one of the finalists.

“Being acknowledged on this level is very humbling and leaves me emotional because it’s a reflection of my passion and my dreams for STEM in South Africa. It shows that the selection committee understands and appreciates the critical role that higher institutions play in driving and supporting STEM in the community, particularly at disadvantaged high schools.”

Her passion for science started at a young age.

“I have always been drawn to science and was very fascinated by the functioning of the human body and the mechanisms that make it possible. To be honest, I always knew I wanted to pursue this path and am grateful for the opportunities that I was granted to achieve my goals. The discovery that teaching is my passion was a bonus to an already gratifying path. I could not have wished for a better combination!”

She enjoys witnessing the application of theoretical knowledge by her students, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

“In other words, when theory is translated into practice, to improve the quality of human life. Watching my students grow and develop into self-sufficient and kind human beings and then being humbled by their unselfish natures when they volunteer and pay it forward to their communities, this is what makes my work very enjoyable.”

Her advice to young women hoping to pursue a career in STEM is: “If you feel it calling to you, pursue it! South Africa needs more women to join in the STEM field. It is one of the few disciplines that has significant potential to drive our country’s economy. Our country’s future literally depends on supporting and driving campaigns that encourage young women and girls to achieve their dreams of becoming successful within the STEM field.

The Awards Gala Dinner will be held at the Two Oceans Aquarium on 29 August.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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