2020 Prospective

Welcome to the 2020 Unisa Western Cape Academic Development Symposium.

The year 2020 has truly been an unprecedented year. Since March 2020, universities in South Africa have undergone rapid changes to effectuate accessibility in gearing up to salvage the academic year. With the protracted lockdown still taking root, public universities and private institutions are increasingly advocating a need to advocate for closer collaboration across all systems; from sharing practices and resources, to creating solutions in the ambit of higher education teaching and learning.

The themes of the 2018 and 2019 symposia seemed to have in a serendipitous way laid the foundation for the 2020 symposium. During the 2018 Unisa Western Cape academic development symposium, the focus was on practical considerations of teaching in learning in higher education. During 2019, the focus shifted with the unpacking and exploration of critical conversations fostering student academic resilience against the backdrop of diverse student identities and experiences. This year, the focus will be on unpacking important spaces and perspectives in higher education: from the workforce and trade unions to understanding students and alternate teaching and learning spaces during a trying time. 

Presentations will highlight key considerations of how South African practitioners negotiated this maze-ways of virtual teaching and learning and work during a pandemic. Presentations will also chart some of the key changes that occurred, and how the pandemic has truly brought to pass a uniquely empowering space for practitioners in higher education.

We are looking forward to hosting you at the symposium.

 Mr John Abrahams   

University of South Africa