As of Wednesday, 16 February 2022, the University of Limpopo (UL) had reached its enrolment target of 5 322 first-year students, the majority of whom have settled on campus to begin their academic year, with first-year lectures having commenced on Monday, 14 February.
About 98% of returning and postgraduate students were registered, with returning accounting for over 14 330 and postgraduates amounting to over 2000. Returning students enrolled in programmes that require laboratory work have been repatriated.
According to Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Prof Richard Madadzhe, the teaching, and learning delivery remain online per the university’s Multimodal Teaching, Learning and Assessment Plan.
“Contact lectures are reserved for health sciences students and senior students enrolled in programmes that require laboratory sessions. Additionally, the university provided laptop computers to all first-year students who requested them via the online facilities survey,”He said.
“The laptops were distributed by the respective faculties,” Prof Madadzhe added.
Prof Madadzhe indicated that to facilitate access to the teaching and learning process, the university also provided mobile data to all students who requested it via a survey on the student portal.
First-year students were orientated and trained in the use of the Blackboard facility as a teaching and learning platform to ensure a smooth transition to online learning.
Dean of Students, Dr. Mochaki Masipa, explained that first-year students are being brought to campus for orientation purposes because the majority of them have no idea how to interact with the university. Students who returned to campus were first sent invitation letters, and those admitted to campus residence were immediately issued keys upon arrival. Students were warmly welcomed by representatives from their respective faculties per permit schedules.
According to Mmalebese Raphahlelo, a first-year MBChB student, the process was seamless, and being on campus is an exciting experience.
“Being on campus will enable us to study more effectively and efficiently,” she explained.
Karabo Nkuna, a first-year BSc in Physical and Mineral Sciences student, expressed similar optimism for his stay at the university, stating that being admitted into the four-year programme was a dream come true for him and that he would make the most of campus facilities.
REPATRIATION VIDEO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9sPzGONyTc&t=176s)
On 29 January 2022, the university held its comprehensive orientation programme online; the programme was re-run on 11 February 2022, following the extension of the registration window for new students. The recording of the session is available on the University of Limpopo’s YouTube channel.
FIRST-ENTERING ORIENTATION PROGRAMME (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk8N0G0HIzE&t=1559s)
Prof Owence Chabaya, Acting Director of the Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE), has urged first-year students to utilise the centre’s mentorship programme to ease the transition from high school to university.
“The purpose of mentorship is for students who have ‘been there’ and succeeded to assist those who are new to UL with academic, social, and emotional adjustment to their new environment. Student mentors are highly motivated and successful students. They would discuss how they overcame their fears and anxieties. They are provided free of charge to first-year students,” Prof Chabaya explained.
By Moses Moreroa