The School of Applied Human Sciences held a COVID-19 Special Recognition Awards virtual event to recognise efforts made by staff and encourage them further and inspire everyone in the School.
Dean and Head of the School Professor Matshepo Matoane said: ‘During the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff have been forced to think creatively and to endure under pressure – not only on the work front but also in their personal lives. They have also had to go the extra mile and further for the sake of the integrity of their course offerings and the quality of students produced. Congratulations to each one of you for your unique contribution to the School… and thank you for your commitment and inspirational performance.’
Award winners were:
- Outstanding Leadership Award: Professor Sarah Gibson – for her sterling leadership in teaching and learning matters within the School
- Impactful Intervention Award: Dr Nontobeko Buthelezi, Dr Nolwazi Ngcobo, Dr Sibonsile Zibane and Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize – for their collaborative participation in the COVID-19 Psychosocial Internship Programme
- Outstanding Support Award: Dr Ruwayda Petrus – for excellent support to the teaching and learning portfolio within the School.
- Resilience Award: Ms Sharon Hattingh (Posthumous) – for persevering in her work in spite of health challenges.
‘I’m very humbled to receive this award and to have been nominated by my colleagues,’ said Gibson. ‘Whilst it is an honour to be recognised, it is truly recognition of the teamwork and dedication of all the School Teaching and Learning Committee members, as well my fellow Academic Leaders of Teaching and Learning in the College of Humanities, led by Professor Ruth Hoskins,’ she said. ‘All students and staff in the School persevered through unprecedented circumstances last year, and awards such as this encourage and inspire me to continue promoting teaching and learning excellence whilst serving students and mentoring colleagues as future leaders.’
Said Petrus: ‘I am thankful to the Dean and my colleagues for this award – it is such an honour for me. When I opened the email, I was not expecting my name to be on the list, so it was a very nice surprise to end a challenging year with. To receive this award was an inspiring experience and I owe it all to my colleagues who managed to make it easier to support the portfolio of teaching and learning during a challenging time.’
Ngcobo said: ‘It is truly an honour to receive such an award. I would like to thank the Dean for recognising our efforts to mitigate the multiple impacts of COVID-19 in communities. I appreciate the support from the discipline of social work, particularly their continuous commitment to community outreach and engagement. Gone are the days where universities are seen as ivory towers, and thus unreachable.’
