Distance learning doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. We put a lot of effort into ensuring that our students feel supported and connected and have easy access to all the information they need to complete their course, starting with informative sessions during the summer school.
Senior lecturer Dr Burt Davis provided an introduction to the postgraduate programme to give students a better idea of what to expect and to orientate themselves in terms of what will be expected.
On the administrative side, the different channels of support from the university’s postgraduate office and the Africa Centre administrative team were clarified. We also provided training on the SunLearn online learning platform that students use throughout the year.
In addition, we’re firm believers in the value of peer engagement and support, whether it’s to discuss ideas, share handy tools or motivate one another when the challenges of studying and working become all too real. Two PgDip graduates from 2023, Zanele Cekiso and Teboho Mohloai, shared their experience of the course with the summer school attendees to get the conversation going.
For a recap of any of the orientation or support sessions, log on to SunLearn where you’ll find the recordings. The sessions were also emailed to students who at that point were not yet registered.