The Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development has introduced a programme to empower CPUT’s academics as researchers in teaching and learning in their disciplines.

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) programme held its inaugural workshop at the Cape Town Campus in February. The year-long initiative will culminate in a three-day writing breakaway in Stellenbosch and editing of manuscripts for publication in November.

On completing it, successful candidates will be expected to submit an article for publication in a journal or conference proceedings and will be awarded with a certificate.

According to the programme co-ordinator, Associate Prof Lorraine Hassan, Fundani seeks to teach academics how to identify problems in their teaching and then conduct research on solutions.

The aims of the SoTL programme include exploring and promoting the notion of researcher development as an emerging field in academic staff development as well as applying the principles of the scholarship of teaching and learning to departmental pedagogical and curricular initiatives for the enhancement of student learning.

It provides candidates access to the relevant literature, methodological expertise, space for discussion and collaboration with like-minded colleagues and mentoring from experienced researchers.

Speaking during the introduction workshop presented by Hassan, Associate Prof James Garraway and Daniela Gachago, the candidates expressed their expectations from attending the workshop.

Some said they want to learn how to conduct research and publish their findings while others said they want to enhance their teaching and learning.