As the academic and administration programmes got back to normal operations towards the end of 2022 academic year, UWC Physical Orientation 2023 kicked off at a good start as first-year students were welcomed with enthusiasm on campus since Covid-19 outbreak more than two years ago.
In the past two years, it has been mainly online operations with remote working in some instances as well as online learning and teaching.
On Monday, 6th February 2023 first-year students together with their parents, next of kin, and loved ones received a warm welcome from UWC Senior management and the Rector, Tyrone Pretorius. Then in the afternoon first-year students from various programmes within the Faculty of Community and Health Science had an opportunity to be welcomed by CHS Dean, Prof Anthea Rhoda who introduced them to the various Heads of Departments and Directors of Schools within CHS.
Prof Rhoda detailed the vision and mission of the faculty in the learning and teaching space, its commitment to the internal and external community as well as the journey has taken over the years in the health, wellness and social justice fraternity. The students also met other Deputy Deans, this includes Prof Firdouza Waggie for Clinical and Community Engagement, Prof Jo-Celene De Jongh for Learning and Teaching and Prof Michelle Andipatin. The Deputy Deans also did presentations and gave an overview of their roles in their respective portfolios and how the students were central in the areas of focus. It is interesting to note that all Deputy Deans were once students of UWC as well.
On Tuesday, 7th February 2023, first-year students were split into various groups as per their academic operation for their Departmental welcome where they got a chance to meet their administrators and be acquainted with their forthcoming academic programmes and their responsibilities and expectations considering the dynamics of the dual campus scenario of CHS Bellville CBD campus (Department of Physiotherapy, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Nursing and School of Natural Medicine and CHS Robert Sobukwe campus ( Department of Social Work & Bachelor of Community Development programme, Department of Psychology, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science and School of Public Health.
Wednesday, 8th February 2023 proved to be another significant occasion for the first-year students as they got an opportunity to mingle, rub shoulders and interface with CHS/UWC Alumni. This is a group of professionals who at once sat in the very same lecture theatres and attended classes facing similar challenges of learning at the university level. The alumni included Clyde Schroeder, a Social worker at Ramot, Simthandile Mgudlwa, Social worker, Elsia Moodley (Lecturer at Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, Johnny Davids better known as JJ (midwifery professional nurse at Worcester Hospital), Melitta Gqada (Clinical Supervisor at CHS), Mrs Fadia Edries (Department of Occupational Therapy), Department of Psychology Lecturers Kyle Jackson and Zorina Noordien. In her talk, Mrs Noordien emphasized how important to keep a sound foundation and balance of life and not neglect their mental health.
Department of Physiotherapy was represented by Mr Brent Hess from Higher Performance Institute at UWC Sports who shared his journey, landing his dream job of going to work in a tracksuit, shorts and tekkies as well as fondly met his wife whilst he was a student here at UWC. Students were also in awe when Rene Naylor, a physiotherapy graduate and now the SA Springboks Physiotherapist shared her experiences and journey when she started off working for a rugby team in her neighbourhood and now travels the world doing what she loves the most-physiotherapy. She emphasized the importance of support structure and mentors in one’s career, luckily for her, her dad was her pillar of strength throughout her career. Ms Naylor will be beginning her Springbok camp on 19 February in preparation for the Springbok tour in July 2023. Mr Tommy Tak Yu, Lecturer in Physiotherapy wrapped up the session and gave students a reality check when he gave them an overview of career prospects in physiotherapy and how as a professional you build your name and reputation in that particular focus or specialist of physiotherapy and how widespread it is a career with infinite possibilities.
Then CHS Orientation week wrapped up the session with “Motivation Thursday” on 9th February 2023 hosted by Mr Redau Safodien from the Department of Social Work. The first-year students participated in a number of team building” activities, these included tower building activity using paper and sellotape. The activity intended to teach the students the significance of teamwork and collaboration, and the significance of having a solid foundation in order to build strong character against all forms of life’s challenges. Another activity included a running competition between teams carrying skities sweets using just a spoon and the final activity was walking blindfold in a group of three and get directions from your group. “The activities demonstrated a number of key factors in life, they demonstrate the importance of having a solid foundation in order for you to survive the next coming years at the University of the Western Cape” said Mr Safodien. His activities also emphasized that you need to have a plan and goal as well as exploit all the available resources at UWC, he also emphasized communication and teamwork, as in life you will be assigned groups and teamwork is key.
“Thank you for hosting me and taking part in the activities, see you again at your graduation” said Mr Safodien in closing his motivation Thursday with the first-year students.
In the past two years, it has been mainly online operations with remote working in some instances as well as online learning and teaching.
On Monday, 6th February 2023 first-year students together with their parents, next of kin, and loved ones received a warm welcome from UWC Senior management and the Rector, Tyrone Pretorius. Then in the afternoon first-year students from various programmes within the Faculty of Community and Health Science had an opportunity to be welcomed by CHS Dean, Prof Anthea Rhoda who introduced them to the various Heads of Departments and Directors of Schools within CHS.
Prof Rhoda detailed the vision and mission of the faculty in the learning and teaching space, its commitment to the internal and external community as well as the journey has taken over the years in the health, wellness and social justice fraternity. The students also met other Deputy Deans, this includes Prof Firdouza Waggie for Clinical and Community Engagement, Prof Jo-Celene De Jongh for Learning and Teaching and Prof Michelle Andipatin. The Deputy Deans also did presentations and gave an overview of their roles in their respective portfolios and how the students were central in the areas of focus. It is interesting to note that all Deputy Deans were once students of UWC as well.
On Tuesday, 7th February 2023, first-year students were split into various groups as per their academic operation for their Departmental welcome where they got a chance to meet their administrators and be acquainted with their forthcoming academic programmes and their responsibilities and expectations considering the dynamics of the dual campus scenario of CHS Bellville CBD campus (Department of Physiotherapy, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Nursing and School of Natural Medicine and CHS Robert Sobukwe campus ( Department of Social Work & Bachelor of Community Development programme, Department of Psychology, Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Department of Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science and School of Public Health.
Wednesday, 8th February 2023 proved to be another significant occasion for the first-year students as they got an opportunity to mingle, rub shoulders and interface with CHS/UWC Alumni. This is a group of professionals who at once sat in the very same lecture theatres and attended classes facing similar challenges of learning at the university level. The alumni included Clyde Schroeder, a Social worker at Ramot, Simthandile Mgudlwa, Social worker, Elsia Moodley (Lecturer at Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, Johnny Davids better known as JJ (midwifery professional nurse at Worcester Hospital), Melitta Gqada (Clinical Supervisor at CHS), Mrs Fadia Edries (Department of Occupational Therapy), Department of Psychology Lecturers Kyle Jackson and Zorina Noordien. In her talk, Mrs Noordien emphasized how important to keep a sound foundation and balance of life and not neglect their mental health.
Department of Physiotherapy was represented by Mr Brent Hess from Higher Performance Institute at UWC Sports who shared his journey, landing his dream job of going to work in a tracksuit, shorts and tekkies as well as fondly met his wife whilst he was a student here at UWC. Students were also in awe when Rene Naylor, a physiotherapy graduate and now the SA Springboks Physiotherapist shared her experiences and journey when she started off working for a rugby team in her neighbourhood and now travels the world doing what she loves the most-physiotherapy. She emphasized the importance of support structure and mentors in one’s career, luckily for her, her dad was her pillar of strength throughout her career. Ms Naylor will be beginning her Springbok camp on 19 February in preparation for the Springbok tour in July 2023. Mr Tommy Tak Yu, Lecturer in Physiotherapy wrapped up the session and gave students a reality check when he gave them an overview of career prospects in physiotherapy and how as a professional you build your name and reputation in that particular focus or specialist of physiotherapy and how widespread it is a career with infinite possibilities.
Then CHS Orientation week wrapped up the session with “Motivation Thursday” on 9th February 2023 hosted by Mr Redau Safodien from the Department of Social Work. The first-year students participated in a number of team building” activities, these included tower building activity using paper and sellotape. The activity intended to teach the students the significance of teamwork and collaboration, and the significance of having a solid foundation in order to build strong character against all forms of life’s challenges. Another activity included a running competition between teams carrying skities sweets using just a spoon and the final activity was walking blindfold in a group of three and get directions from your group. “The activities demonstrated a number of key factors in life, they demonstrate the importance of having a solid foundation in order for you to survive the next coming years at the University of the Western Cape” said Mr Safodien. His activities also emphasized that you need to have a plan and goal as well as exploit all the available resources at UWC, he also emphasized communication and teamwork, as in life you will be assigned groups and teamwork is key.
“Thank you for hosting me and taking part in the activities, see you again at your graduation” said Mr Safodien in closing his motivation Thursday with the first-year students.
