MEDUNSA UPGRADE - University of Limpopo

Professor Monie Naidoo
was to ensure that black academic
staff were given the opportunity to
be promoted to the professorial
and senior lecturer ranks. On the
student side, the aim was to
ensure that the learning
environment was a safe one, and
that no student harassment be
allowed.
‘The directorate played a vital
role in transformation on this
campus. It allowed a platform for
many valuable conversations with
staff and students on race and
gender issues. It was an incredibly
interesting period.’
Naidoo then headed up the
Centre for Academic Development
Services (CADS) and was
responsible for staff and student
development, counselling, and
quality assurance.
When the university merged
with the University of Limpopo,
CADS and the Academic
Development Unit in Turfloop were
brought together under one banner
– the CAE. This brings Naidoo to
a favourite subject – her job as
head of CAE, which she describes
as a great job because it’s all
about positive growth and support
for students and staff. It does,
however, come with challenges.
‘The university plays an
incredibly important role in
providing students from one of the
poorest provinces in the country
the opportunity to get into higher
education – while showing total
understanding of how
disadvantaged their schooling has
been. We see students who
haven’t had access to water,
electricity, laboratories, or proper
schooling. This university has
demonstrated the capacity to show
real sensitivity to the backgrounds
of these students’.
‘Our constant focus is on
improving the way we invite those
students to join our community
from the minute they walk into our
gates. The image we strive to
portray is that we care - from the
highest level down; that every
student is important; and that our
desire is to help them succeed to
their best potential.’ Naidoo adds
that this university has developed
the nurturing environment so much
that it’s easy to institute
programmes such as student
mentoring.
It’s the teamwork and the
willingness by CAE staff to go the
extra mile to help students that
makes the difference. And as
Professor Naidoo talks about the
myriad programmes and models
that are making the difference, she
is almost wistful of all that can still
be done – and that no doubt will
be done, with enthusiasm and
excellence.
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