‘Force of nature’ wins Vice-Chancellor’s Award
19 October, 2018
Third-year Bachelor of Commerce Management Studies student Sarina Mpharalala was hailed as “a force of nature” as University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng named her the winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award at the 15th Student Leadership Awards on 17 October.
The Department of Student Affairs awards event, in partnership with Investec Corporate Social Investment, is held annually to acknowledge individual students as well as student teams for their leadership contributions in respect of community, social justice, entrepreneurship and media.
Phakeng said of Mpharalala that she has a passion for leadership, entrepreneurship, empowerment and social impact, and has managed to maintain academic excellence while serving UCT as part of initiatives and organisations that have put her skills and capabilities to positive use.
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Doves, dragons and diplomats – ‘avatars’ for a new dean
19 October, 2018
There are many guide books for new academic deans and, as an award-winning teacher and researcher, Associate Professor Linda Ronnie did her homework when she applied for the job as the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Dean of Commerce.
It was Allan Tucker and Robert A Bryant’s book The Academic Dean: Dove, Dragon and Diplomat that she singled out, the trio of “avatars” suggesting just how adaptive deans must be as managers, especially in crisis.“I know which I’m likely to be,” Ronnie quipped.Those who know her will recognise the forthrightness and self-effacing humour.
Ronnie is the first Dean of Commerce among the last four incumbents who is not an economist or accountant. She brings a background in organisational psychology and human behaviour in management and education, along with a wealth of institutional knowledge after more than 15 years at the Graduate School of Business.
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Home-grown mentors guide young rugby stars
18 October, 2018
Business science student Jono Field’s tutoring and mentoring company has partnered with the UCT Rugby Football Club (UCT RFC) to provide academic and mentoring support to its players, who juggle onerous and competing demands.
UCT’s Ikey Tiger stars are recruited from around the country, and include home-grown talent from Cape Town. But as undergraduates, they often arrive unprepared to cope with the dual demands of sport and study, according to Field, founder of Get Smart Tutors.
Field started the company in 2015, signing up the first tutor on the bonnet of his father’s car. He first spotted a similar gap at his alma mater, South African College Schools (SACS), where opportunity-funded learners sometimes battled in an unfamiliar and demanding environment.
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