The Academic Citizen

30: Queering Universities

In the final episode of The Academic Citizen for 2016, Dr Mary Hames joins us to discuss issues of gender and sexuality within spaces of higher learning. Heteronormativity and patriarchy are still dominant within South African society, which makes it important to analyse how our universities respond to questions of sexuality and the rights of queer community members. This conversation reflects on issues of acceptance and inclusion, which range from official university rules, to disciplinary procedures when discrimination has taken place, to teaching methods in the lecture hall. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/292199859" 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 speak to queer students about their experiences and how inclusive university spaces are. Photo credit: Nancy Dowd

The Academic Citizen 9 November 2016

south africa

29: Decarbonising Universities

Prof Vishwas Satgar discusses the importance of increasing awareness about environmental issues and transforming energy and renewable energy policy. In this week's episode, Prof Satgar reflects on the current state of multilateral efforts towards climate justice and how this relates to socio-economic disparities, particularly in developing countries like South Africa. Some ways in which university stakeholders can contribute to solving climate issues relate to establishing zero-waste societies, divesting from anti-climate justice businesses and using resources in a more sustainable manner. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/291085851" 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 views of climate justice and why it is important for universities to become more environmentally-conscious. Download the May 2016 Joint Memorandum to Wits University in support of Zero Hunger and Zero Carbon Emissions. Follow the links below to read more about Satgar's views on climate […]

The Academic Citizen 2 November 2016

academics

28: Plagiarism and Pedagogy

Dr Roger Davis joins The Academic Citizen to discuss plagiarism and its impact. The problem of plagiarism is complicated by students' lack of knowledge about appropriate citation methods and the importance of enhancing critical thinking while still encouraging creative thought. Davis delves into the nuances of sharing ideas and knowledge versus repeating the academic research of others without providing proper credit, and explores how institutions have dealt with cases of plagiarism. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/290043092" 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 some students about their own attitudes to and experiences with plagiarism. Photo credit: Aaron Burden

The Academic Citizen 26 October 2016

Uncategorised

27: Policing Protest

Professor Jane Duncan of the University of Johannesburg, discusses the various ways in which protest has been 'policed' at university campuses around South Africa. From interdicts and suspensions to the deployment of private security and police units, Duncan explains why students have started to feel unsafe and, in some cases, under attack. This conversation explores how all stakeholders in higher education have to take responsibility for their roles in escalating protest and work together to find solutions to the ongoing fees crisis. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/288950039" 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 how they feel about the presence and involvement of police on campus. Read about The Daily Vox interview with Prof Duncan: How securitisation of campuses has increased violence at universities Download the Right2Know campaign’s guide on the Right to Protest Learn more about Prof Duncan's latest […]

The Academic Citizen 19 October 2016

Podcast

26: Why Basic Education Matters

Parliamentary Liaison Officer for Equal Education, Andile Cele, joins the podcast to highlight the importance of primary and secondary education in the transformation of the higher education sector. Problems stemming from access and resources, to racial and socio-economic differences define the space of education and the experience of the learner. Cele explains how this creates academic challenges, financial difficulties or total barriers to entry in higher learning. We also chat to some students about their opinions of the biggest challenges faced by young people pursuing an education in South Africa and why basic education is important. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/287282724" 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 the work of Equal Education by following the links below: Equal Education: The problem begins in Grade 1 Equal Education deplores conditions in some WCape schools Lobby group advocates full funding for university students Also read: Equal Education's submission to the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training […]

The Academic Citizen 12 October 2016

Podcast

25: Protest – A View from UKZN

Dr Lubna Nadvi shares some insight into the #FeesMustFall student protests at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN). Speaking from Howard College campus, where she is based, Nadvi expands on some of the grievances of students, the recent surges in violence and clashes with campus and private security, and the university shutdown. Nadvi places emphasis on the importance of university communities coming together and communicating in order to find sustainable solutions to the fees crisis in South Africa's higher education sector. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/286119700" 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 some students about their opinion of the recent protest action at UKZN. Read this open letter written by Dr Nadvi: An open letter to the UKZN community, from a concerned academic

The Academic Citizen 5 October 2016

Podcast

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

Africa

21: Virtual Learning in Uganda

This week, Prof Deirdre Carabine joins the podcast to introduce the Virtual University of Uganda (VUU), Africa's first fully-functional online education platform for postgraduate studies. Carabine discusses the online learning tools, fee structure and how technological advances can create new opportunities for the future of learning in Africa. We also chat to some students about their experiences with online learning and their opinions of VUU. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/282836859" params="color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /] Photo credit: Olu Eletu

The Academic Citizen 14 September 2016

Previous 1 … 3 4 5 6 7 Next

Blog

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Cancel subscription