Opinion by Vusumzi Gqalane
In today’s constantly evolving global world, institutions of higher learning bear the hefty burden of preparing students not just for success but for excellence within a society characterized by perpetual transformation. These institutions work as a vessel in which young students’ minds are developed and empowered to act as catalysts for positive change personally and communally. The core idea at the heart of this transformative journey is the constant pursuit of academic and societal excellence.
Student’s Journey to Excellence: A road map to track your success. Photo supplied
Pursuing excellence is a fundamental principle deeply embedded in almost every University’s identity. It is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a vibrant driving force propelling higher education forward. This commitment is openly defined in these institutions” official vision statements, offering a witness to their constant commitment.
In practice, this dedication to excellence translates into a multifaceted approach that encompasses delivering top-tier education, pushing the boundaries of research, fostering a supportive and effective learning environment, and embracing inclusivity. Furthermore, universities often provide support services to facilitate holistic student success and well-being as part of their broader pursuit of excellence.
As a result, South African universities have initiated diverse efforts to embark upon academic excellence and nurture holistic student success in response to the shifting dynamics within South African society, simultaneously preparing students to address and find solutions for complex global challenges. Universities are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their commitment to quality in today’s highly competitive academic market. This is due to competition for top talent, research funding, and international reputation and rankings. As such, universities continuously seek ways to distinguish themselves by being outstanding in academia, research, and student support to enhance student success and employability.
CENTRE FOR TEACHING & LEARNING GPS SUCCESS COACHES TRACK YOUR SUCCESS
To bring the discussion closer to home, the University of the Free State is not immune to other institutions taking on the role of advancing excellence. When discussing the student journey of excellence, student success, and student-centeredness at the University of the Free State, it is impossible not to highlight the significant role played by the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The CTL is a vital, integral component of the University that actively promotes evidence-based strategies for student success and improving graduates’ employability. Furthermore, the efforts over the last ten years have been dedicated to designing initiatives that assist students in achieving success and fostering their development as critical thinkers and scholars throughout their educational journey. Currently, the University of the Free State CTL is well recognized and has a national footprint.
CTL has developed a deep understanding of the methods that lead to student success and meaningful employment opportunities over the years, encompassing a broader and more holistic perspective than just academics. According to Ms. Gugu Khanye, the Assistant Director of Advising, Access, and Success Focus Areas at CTL, Graduate Positioning Support, better known as GPS@UFS, is a high-tech and high-touch program that houses the GPS Contact Centre, which aims to integrate and enhance student support services by optimizing communication between the UFS community and its students. Furthermore, Ms. Gugu stated that by using data analytics and understanding the student lifecycle, CTL has a team of highly skilled Success Coaches who are the first point of support for students. The success coaches are available on WhatsApp, Telegram, phone calls, and emails; this team does not only wait for students to make contact. Rather, they also reach out to students. The work done by success coaches to reach students is informed by behavioral success indicators, empowering success coaches to have meaningful and personalized conversations that encourage students “off track” to do things differently and remain on track to graduation.
Taking on the role of Success Coach on the Graduate Positioning System team at CTL has given me a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of academic excellence and holistic student success. Additionally, working alongside my colleagues, we’ve had the privilege to positively influence the lives of numerous students by continually monitoring their progress and directing them to the University’s various support services as needed. To us and the work we are doing, “Student’s Journey to Excellence” emphasizes that student success is about more than just arriving at the destination (e.g., a degree or diploma) but also about the entire journey of keeping students on track and enhancing their chances of being well-rounded graduates that meet the needs of the employment world. In tracking student success, Every step counts as we refer students to support services of personal development, personal well-being, and skill development, all in the pursuit of excellence. To keep students motivated and focused on their academic goals, we serve as a roadmap for tracking their progress, leading to a successful academic and personal journey.
One cannot overlook the fact that CTL profoundly influences students. To demonstrate this, one must consider otherremarkable initiatives they have spearheaded in the past and continue doing so, such as prioritizing evidence-based and data-driven approaches to enhance the quality of student access and advising programs. Furthermore, that includes but is not limited to A-step tutorials and co-curricular modules like UFSS (formerly known as UFS 101) and EDED. These efforts are designed to empower students into holistic individuals with graduate-level attributes, and they underscore the ongoing work being accomplished in close collaboration with faculties and various support services, all of which significantly benefit students.
UFS VISION 130 COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
In 2022, The UFS introduced a long-term strategy intending to reshape the institution in preparation for its 130th anniversary in 2034. This strategy, known as Vision 130, contains ambitious and bold objectives. As a result, according to Vision 130, UFS is resolute and fully committed to achieving recognition as a top-tier university in South Africa and aims to be ranked by appropriately chosen global ranking systems among the top five universities in South Africa and among the top 600 globally (UFS Vision 130:2022). This commitment underscores specific areas of focus leading up to2034. The University has identified fundamental values to guide its strategies and operations, emphasizing excellence, sustainability, and impact. However, in its pursuit of excellence, the University has faced numerous challenges this year alone that relate to racial and social transformation, lack of enough resources to promote holistic student support, and financial constraints that include securing enough research funding, addressing food insecurity, and accommodating a significant number of students from predominantly low-income backgrounds who rely on National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for financial support. These concerns have, in turn, resulted in administrative difficulties, which occasionally surface in many campus protests every year.
For noting purposes, Vision 130 was introduced five years after the UFS Integrated Transformation Plan (ITP) was adopted in late 2017, and it has been actively carried out over the past five years. The primary objective of the ITP was to demonstrate the University’s unwavering commitment to extending its influence and accelerating the transformational process within its diverse institutional frameworks (ITP 2017; 2023). Additionally, as outlined in the document titled “Widening and Accelerating the Scope of Transformation,” the University of the Free State (UFS) Strategy for the years 2018 to 2022, the ITP sought to dismantle the enduring effects of colonialism and apartheid at political, social, economic, and intellectual levels, to adopt new practices, organizational methods, and values that can promote social justice. Like any other university, the UFS actively engages in the quest for excellence. However, the University needs to dig deep and address challenges related to social, economic, and achievement gaps/ inequalities amongst students, which keep hindering the University’s ability to have a throughput rate of students who graduate in record time. In addition, the University must allocate more efforts and resources with a clear intent to enhance student support and uphold principles and values of social justice and care, ultimately leading to an improved student experience.
Let’s establish a solid and vibrant university beyond the pursuit of excellence. Let’s create a university that dedicates itself to constantly enhancing students’ success while embracing a human-centric approach rooted in the principles of social justice and care throughout the student journey to excellence.
Vusumzi Gqalane is a Graduate Positioning Systems Success Coach at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, UFS. He is currently a Master’s degree candidate in Governance & Political Transformation and writes in his personal capacity.
Vusumzi Gqalane is currently a University of the Free State Master’s degree candidate in Governance and PoliticalTransformation and writes in his personal capacity.