RESEARCH REPORT 2020
FUNDANI CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (CHED)
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
88
Dr Najwa Norodien-Fataar
Fundani units work collaboratively with one another as well as in partnership with colleagues in faculties and other strategic units.
norodien-fataarn@cput.ac.za
The Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED) is a strategic unit which serves CPUT as a site that initiates and facilitates higher education development in alignment with relevant international and national imperatives. This is accomplished through a number of inter-related strategic initiatives. These involve the various Fundani units working collaboratively with one another as well as in partnership with colleagues in faculties and other strategic units. This developmental institutional networking is informed and strengthened through engagement with relevant national and international organizations and institutions.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2020 RESEARCH OUTPUTS Fundani consists of 13 academic staff members. Despite its relatively small size, the centre produced two international journal publications in 2020 and several national journal publications. Fundani plays a significant role in the CPUT Research Focus Area: Human, Health & Social Dynamics. The centre’s academics regularly review articles for international and national journals, as well as supervise
several CPUT staff members engaged in master’s and doctoral studies that focus on higher education. They are often chosen as external examiners for master’s and doctoral theses and as keynote speakers at conferences and universities. Academic staff are also asked to participate in ASSAF review of journals. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FUND FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING (RIFTAL) Fundani staff provide a supportive space for research into teaching and learning across the faculties. Each year, approximately R770 000 is disbursed to CPUT faculty members by Fundani to conduct classroom-based research under the DVC: Teaching & Learning’s RIFTAL project. In 2020, projects submitted and approved for funding addressed decolonisation and educational transformation in the curriculum. RESEARCH IN TEACHING AND LEARNING CONFERENCE (RITAL) VIRTUAL ONLINE CONFERENCE CPUT academic staff presented their research findings at Fundani’s first online virtual RITAL Conference via Microsoft Teams. The conference’s theme was ‘Institutional adaptations during the Covid-19 pandemic: Exploring staff experiences with remote teaching and learning’. Academics across the disciplines discussed institutional, curriculum and pedagogical adaptations during the pandemic. The acting HOD of Curriculum Development Unit, Mr Siyabulela Sabata, delivered the
