Education Faculty hosts Wheelock College, Boston, USA

As part of its internationalisation programme, the Faculty of Education welcomed a group of 14 students, specialising in ECD and Social Work, and two academics from Wheelock College, Boston, USA on Tuesday, 19 May 2015.  The group was welcomed by the Dean of Education, Professor George Moyo and Deputy Dean, Professor Adele Moodly, with the programme facilitated by the Head of the School of General and Continuing Education- East London Campus, Dr Greta Galloway.

The Wheelock College students were hosted by the Education Students’ Council in the morning. The international group had a tour of the East London Campus, and attended a lecture by Dr Marian van der Walt.  Professors Bobbi Rosenquest and Lynnette Azzi-Lessing from Wheelock College participated in briefing sessions by members of the Education Faculty’s ECD Niche Area, led by Professor Ntombozuko Duku, Professor Chinedu Okeke, Dr Namhla Sotuku, and Ms Beverley Williams.  This provided a unique opportunity for academics from Wheelock College and UFH to engage on issues relating to early childhood development, a priority focus area for the Faculty.

In the afternoon, the two Boston academics co-facilitated the UFH ECD Centre of Excellence Transdisciplinary Working Group Meeting, as part of the continued dialogue around ECD.  The constitution of the Working Group reflects the diversity of stakeholder interest and representation within the ECD field, including provincial and local government, ECD practitioners and their representative organisation, TVET Colleges,  as well as UFH Faculty.  The Working Group is the catalyst in the development of transdisciplinary academic and support programmes for the UFH ECD Centre of Excellence, which is one of the flagship projects for the UFH Centenary Celebrations in 2016.