24: Wits SRC Speaks

In our special episode for this week, the incoming President of the Student Representative Council, Kefentse Mkhari, joins the podcast to discuss the wave of national protests against the current fee system. Mkhari explains the demand of the #FeesMustFall movement: free, quality and decolonised education. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/285390466" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] We also address the recent violence during protest, the referendum called by Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib and the way forward for the Wits University community. Photo Credit: Aaisha Dadi Patel Disclaimer: In this interview Mr Mkhari makes two allegations, which we checked out. The first is that the academic calendar for 2016 had been “contracted” in such a way as to disadvantage students. We checked the 2016 calendar against the 2015 calendar, and found that it had not been shortened as he alleged. The second allegation was that VC Adam […]

The Academic Citizen 30 September 2016

Podcast

23: Academic Freedom in Turkey

Prof Serdar Değirmencioğlu joins The Academic Citizen to provide some insight into the state of higher education in Turkey. This conversation follows from systematic and recurring dismissals and suspensions of thousands of academics and other government workers, including Değirmencioğlu, since July 2016. Restrictions on academics' work and international travel have weakened Turkey's higher education system while the Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, further entrenches its authoritarian regime. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/285068825" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] We also get some student perspectives on academic freedom and the current situation in Turkey. Read this statement, which was released on Tuesday 27 September 2016. Photo Credit: Trevor Pritchard

The Academic Citizen 28 September 2016

Podcast

22: The Commission of Inquiry into HE

Professor Hlonipha Mokoena joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the fees and funding debates regarding higher education in South Africa. Mokoena explains the work of eight-member Wits Panel that delivered a report titled 'Funding Model(s) for Higher Education in South Africa' to the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training, chaired by Justice Heher. Some of the the proposed solutions include re-defining the concept of 'fees' and drawing on corporate, government and university revenues in order to fund higher education. The panel also included Professors Roger Gibson, Laetitia Rispel, Christopher Malikane, David Hornsby, Cathi Albertyn, Mtendeweka Mhango and Dr Nthatisi Khatleli. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/283942890" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] We also chat to some students about the work of the panel and the funding crisis in South Africa’s higher education sector. Download the full report. Photo credit: Francois Swanepoel

The Academic Citizen 21 September 2016

Podcast

20: Tensions at British Universities

In this week's episode, Goldsmiths College Professor Natalie Fenton joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the state of higher education in the United Kingdom. Fenton explains the student protests against fees that emerged in 2010, as well as rent strikes that happened this year. She also discusses ongoing industrial action by academic staff and the impact of marketisation and Brexit on the higher education sector. We chat to some students about their knowledge of higher education in the UK and get their opinions of recent events. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/281762344" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] To read more about Fenton's views, read the articles below: Brexit: inequality, the media and the democratic deficit Three-D Issue 26: From Green to Gold: reclaiming our universities Click here to read more about her latest book "Digital Political Radical". Photo credit: Andrew Moss

The Academic Citizen 7 September 2016

Podcast

19: Precarious Postdocs

Dr Sadhna Mathura and Dr Jacobus Diener join The Academic Citizen to discuss concerns of postdoctoral researchers in South Africa. They are representatives of the newly established South African National Postdoc Network, which is working to promote the interests of postdocs. Diener and Mathura shed light on postdocs' numerous contributions to higher education in South Africa, including teaching and research, and their many concerns relating to remuneration, conditions of employment, grievance procedures and relationships with host institutions. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/280735417" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] We also chat to some students about their understanding of postdocs and how postdocs can be better supported by universities. As of 2014, Postdoctoral Fellows hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand are permitted to join the Academic Staff Association of Wits University (ASAWU) as full members. Click here for a full report on the status of Postdocs at Wits. Photo credit: NandyPhotos

The Academic Citizen 31 August 2016

Podcast

18: Global University Rankings

The Editor of Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Phil Baty, joins The Academic Citizen to discuss the importance of global university rankings and how they work. Baty says that rankings bodies use different criteria and methodologies to "rate" higher education institutions. Therefore, it is important to look beyond face value and deeper into the details of the data. We also chat to some students about their experiences with and understanding of global university rankings. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/279687817" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Follow the World University Rankings on Twitter. Photo Credit: Raquel Martínez

The Academic Citizen 24 August 2016

Podcast

17: Doctoral Degrees and Developing Economies

Professor Sioux McKenna joins the podcast to explain the importance of doctoral degrees in solving social and economic issues in developing societies. We also explore the challenges faced by PhD researchers, including funding, work/study balance and completion rates, and share some tips to follow for making it through your doctoral degree. We also chat to students about their opinion of PhDs and whether they would pursue a doctoral studies. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/278614947" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read Sioux's article: Five things to think about if you’re considering a doctorate Explore more of Sioux's research: ACADEMIA - Sioux McKenna Download the 2015 study by Cloete, Sheppard and Mouton, as mentioned by Sioux: Doctoral Degrees in South Africa Photo by Mari Helin-Tuominen

The Academic Citizen 17 August 2016

Podcast

16: On African Philosophy

In this week's episode, Dr Oritsegbubemi Oyowe discusses the role of African Philosophy in advancing knowledge. He argues that African culture and intellectualism plays an important role in transformation in the post-colonial university. We also hear from students on their views about African Philosophy and whether it has shaped their own experiences in daily life. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/277689682" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read Oritsegbubemi's article about why African Philosophy needs to be inclusive here: African philosophy needs to blossom. Being exclusionary won’t help Explore more of Oritsegbubemi's research by following the link below: ResearchGate - Oritsegbubemi Anthony Oyowe Photo by João Silas

The Academic Citizen 10 August 2016

Podcast

15: The Politics of Language in HE

Dr Nomalanga Mkhize joins The Academic Citizen to think through the role of multiple languages in higher education. We explore how language shapes meaning and how assimilation to Anglo-Saxon norms and culture have influenced attitudes towards indigenous languages. She suggests that a multi-idiomatic approach could assist the transformation project in higher education institutions in South Africa. We also get some views from students who question the importance of language in South Africa's democratic era. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275632818" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read more about Nomalanga's views on language, history and education by following the links below: On Language and Disruptive Pedagogy Black social capital should not be wasted Education for the elite lacks local intelligence Learn more about Siyafunda: isiZulu, a children's language education initiative that is crowdfunding via Thundafund by following this link. Photo credit: Thomas Hawk

The Academic Citizen 27 July 2016

Podcast

14: HE and Unemployment – A View from Nigeria

Misan Rewane, the Director of Lagos-based organisation, West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE), joins this week's episode. We reflect on higher education in Nigeria and explore the merits of 'vocational education' as a tool for unemployed youths to gain skills and improve their access to steady employment. We also get some student opinions on whether a vocational or academic education is more relevant for African youths today. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/274516599" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Read about Misan's work by visiting the links below: University degrees are not the answer for Africa’s unemployed youth Be like Misan Rewane and Move Back to Nigeria to Positively Impact the Lives of Others In Nigeria, university degrees can lead to poverty Photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

The Academic Citizen 20 July 2016

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