2nd Annual Supporting Student Success Conference
DAY 1 : - Wednesday 29th June 2022
Impact of Covid on mental health and well-being.
Presented by Natash Turnton from Tomorrow Trust and Helen Malgas from Students For A Better Future.
COVID has had many negative consequences on the mental health of students. In this session a brief overview of the impact of COVID on mental health will be explored as well as some ideas around how to mitigate these effects. In the second part of the session practitioners will offers ideas as to how they have supported students during this time.
Student centred research approaches to Gender Based Violence within Higher Education Institutions.
Presented by Dr Selina Palm from University of the Western Cape
This draws on findings from recent empirical research carried out by the presenter on gender based and sexual violence at two different university campuses (Stellenbosch University and University of the Western Cape) that centre student voices. This session will open up an interactive discussion around how bursary support providers can play a positive role – both in working directly with students and in supporting the development of institutional policy.
Building resilience in students: mindfulness and mindset.
Presented by Patrick Madden from Career Wise
Reporting on Career Wise’s experience of offering Mindful Resilience to students: how it started, how it takes place, and how it has landed with students.
Scalable tools for Recruitment and Bursary Administration.
Presented by Phumelele Tshabalala from Thubalethu Technologies and Ludwick Marishane from Excel @ Uni
Proprietary and free tools for leveraging technology for key bursary admin processes. Practical tools for recruitment and monitoring performance, spend, and engagement..
The role of career guidance in building a pipeline of rural learners accessing Post-School Education & Training (PSET)
Presented by Emma Francis and Katlego Kgaile from REAP as well as Lebogang Diale from Gradesmatch
REAP will reflect on its experience recruiting learners from rural communities in the Free State, Limpopo and Northern Cape, in particular the need to offer effective career guidance and PSET options beyond university. REAP and Gradesmatch will also highlight the many barriers to learners accessing PSET opportunities and present the tools they have developed in response, and the lessons being learned.
Return of Investment on tertiary education and mentoring support.
Presented by Dr Murray Hofmeyr from Study Trust and Gavin MacGregor from Umthombo Youth Development Foundation
The session will look at the return on investment from a financial and social perspective of producing health science graduates and highlight the return on investment on the provision of mentoring support to students. The session will also focus on the return on investment of providing the skills needed for employment and workplace integration.
Measuring psycho-social outcomes – where angels fear to tread.
Presented by Penny Morrell (REAP)and Ludwick Marishane from Excel @ Uni.
One of the signatures of the SA bursary support provider (BSP) sector is the difference it makes to student success through providing psycho-social support to students who are largely from lower socio-economic households.
DAY 2 : - Thursday 30th June 2022
Perspectives on Recruitment
Presented by Paul Vuma, Lesego Tlhong and Liyanda Mkhabo from Career Wise, Aamira Surtie-Pillay from Jakes Gerwal Foundation and Mandy Waller from Moshal Scholarship
Selection intelligence: Various approaches to recruitment pre and post Covid Balancing objectivity vs subjectivity in awarding scholarships/bursaries. Jakes Gerwel Fellowship were celebrated for its innovative approach to student recruitment as part of the 2021 World Education Week and will share key insights on the topic of "Identifying Potential Talent in a Highly Unequal System."
Challenging Purpose of Providing Student Support .
Presented by Ludick Marishane from Excel @ Uni
Why student support is a critical tool for addressing youth unemployment with entrepreneurship, not just creating more graduate job-seekers. Leveraging technology to easily package student outcomes into an easy product for funders to invest in producing.
Diversity and inclusion.
Presented by Carla Watson and Siwaphiwe Sibeko from Jakes Gerwel Fellowship and Nqubela Aphiwe from Old Mutual Education Trust
Heightened awareness of why diversity and inclusivity are a crucial part of a scholarship staffing and beneficiary environment. Suggestions on possibly approaches and practices that support authentic inclusion and belonging.
Staff wellness – boundary setting, dealing with student trauma, appreciation.
Presented by Natashe Turton from Tomorrow Trust and Zolani Metu from Jakes Gerwel Fellowship
A case study in progress regarding the implementation of a 4-day working week will be presented. There is a focus on why this approach has been implemented and what the feedback has been to date. There will also be discussions held on how to approaches that support staff engagement and wellness to deal with the stresses of a post covid work environment.
Transitions to blended teaching and learning – student support challenges and opportunities.
Presented by Katlego Thindisafrom Michael & Susan Dell Foundtion, Dr Hestie Byles from University of Pretoria
For many institutions, the “emergency remote teaching” models adopted through the pandemic has given way to more sustainable and evidence-based models of blended/hybrid teaching and learning.What impact has the transition to blended/hybrid learning had on the efficiencies and effectiveness of student support provided by institutions? How has the transition to blended learning impacted the role of bursary support providers?.
The role of formal education systems in the facilitation of healing.
Presented by Gabeba Gaidien and Aphiwe Nqubela from Old Mutual Education Trust
This session aims to explore and position our response to student mental health challenges within a contextual socio-political and socio-economic frame. We aim to explore if we are contextually relevant in our understanding of the depth of mental health barriers and systemic interventions for young people in SA..
