Whether CPUT’s language of instruction caters adequately for all students including those who have a different home language was thoughtfully scrutinised at a multilingualism colloquium recently.
The Faculty of Applied Sciences held a Multilingualism and Diversity Colloquium on the Cape Town Campus which was attended by CPUT academics and students.
While some delegates suggested that the university accept only students with English proficiency certificates, others argued that academic literacy development is everybody’s responsibility and that this should be considered when bringing about multiculturalism in the university.
Fundani Centre for Higher Education Development’s Linda Mkhize-Manashe presented the Online Multilingual Glossaries which Fundani started in 2012. “The project aims to provide academic support to students,” says Mkhize-Manashe.
She added that the glossaries are developed by lecturers and students and that general feedback from the latter is that the glossaries would be better if subjects are categorised according to level of study such as 1st or 2nd year.
Upon visiting the glossaries’ homepage one is prompted to choose a faculty, and subjects offered on the faculty page.
The website allows for users to send feedback.
Professional voice-over artists are used for the recorded soundbytes that are also available on the website, adds Mkhize -Manashe.
Dr Muhammad Nakhooda, Biotechnology Department, called for the implementation of measures to address access to scientific content and knowledge in a way that empowers African scientists to attend to African questions.
Dr Ignatius Ticha, the Applied Sciences language coordinator, reported on the findings of research he conducted on why traditional medicine remains popular in rural Africa.
Ticha said his students compiled the research questions and the study found that public hospitals are out of reach and have sub-standard care.
