- The university has purchased a second ambulance to complement its existing ambulance and help cater for the needs of the 1370 students now registered at its Richards Bay campus.
- Masters law student Subashnee Jenny Gounden has won the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society award for best student in the province.
- Psychology student becomes Unizul’s 11th Mandela Rhodes scholar
- Unizul SIFE sends observers to the international competition in Malaysia
New ambulance for Unizul
From left to right: Ntokozo Mnqayi, Administrator Prof. Chris de Beer, Dr Bequiet Vilakazi, Vice Chancellor Prof Fikile Mazibuko, Acting Dean of students Dr Zethu Mkhize and Unizul paramedic Zama Jobe.
The university has purchased a second ambulance to complement its existing ambulance and help cater for the needs of the 1370 students now registered at its Richards Bay campus. The ambulance is a Toyota Quantum kombi fully fitted with medical equipment and a bed. It is SABS approved and registered as an emergency vehicle.
Speaking at the symbolic reception event outside the Clinic on the main KwaDlangezwa campus on Tuesday 25th October, Vice Chancellor Professor Mzibuko said she was delighted the university’s response mechanism had been reinforced. She thanked staff in the Transport Department, Finance, Clinic, outgoing SRC and Student Services for being instrumental in purchasing the emergency vehicle, saying this shows that they have the interests of students at heart. She said she hoped the vehicle would be used for the purpose for which it was bought. ‘With this second ambulance the university will be equipped to respond should emergencies present themselves at the same time but on different campuses,’ said the Vice Chancellor. Administrator Professor Chris de Beer said the new ambulance would add value to the student experience at Unizul. The vehicle currently servicing both campuses was donated several years ago by HESA, the European Union and the then Department of Education.
Unizul law student best in KZN
Unizul Masters student Jenny Gounden
Masters law student Subashnee Jenny Gounden has won the KwaZulu-Natal Law Society award for best student in the province. Subashnee, who obtained 14 distinctions and two first class passes in her LLB final year, received the award from Attorneys’ Fidelity Fund chairman Silas Nkanunu at the Society’s AGM on Friday 14th October at the Suncoast hotel in Durban. She is also the recipient of the Unizul Council gold medal award for best final year student in the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law, presented at the annual graduation ceremony in May, and the Lexis-Nexis award for top law student, received at the September 2010 faculty dinner at the Imbizo Conference Centre. The focus of Subashnee’s Masters degree, supervised by Adv Brian Leslie and Mr Lonias Ndlovu, is the legal protection of employers and employees in relation to HIV&AIDS. After this she intends going into the arbitration field and also studying for her LLD. Subashnee is also a first dan (black belt) karate instructor with Natal and South African colours.
Psychology student becomes Unizul’s 11th Mandela Rhodes scholar
Nhlakanipho Nkwanyana and Vice Chancellor Prof Fikile Mazibuko
Fourth year psychology student, Nhlakanipho Nkwanyana is one of 23 students countrywide to receive a Mandela Rhodes scholarship for 2012. The aim of this prestigious scholarship, launched in 2005 by former first president Nelson Mandela, is to identify and nurture future generations of excellent, ethical African leaders across all sectors of society. Nkwanyana, from KwaYanguye near Melmoth, was raised by his grandmother and aunt. He says that moving between parts of an amorphous extended family, and from school to school, taught him not to expect everyone to see things as he did himself. Nkwanyana plans to focus on community mental health in his Masters studies. Vice Chancellor Professor Fikile Mazibuko congratulated Nkwanyana, who is also the new president of Unizul SIFE, on becoming Unizul’s eleventh MR scholar. ‘The Mandela Rhodes scholarship is an entry to the global arena. Only those with substance are invited,’ said Prof Mazibuko.
Unizul campus is alive with talent
Unizul’s Spring Concert on Friday 14th October featured soloists from the departments of biochemistry to accounting as well as music and drama. In eight weeks UZ Choral Society conductor, Bhekani Buthelezi and assistant, Masters law student and pianist Valentine Sibisi, honed this raw talent into stage-worthy performances. Even guest artists Nqubeko Mbatha and Ntokozo Mbambo from nationally acclaimed gospel group Joyous Celebrations were impressed. Mbambo has offered to assist in coaching the soloists for next year’s Spring Concert, flying in from Johannesburg monthly to do so. The music featured in the programme included gospel, R ’B, hip hop and jazz expanding the Society’s repertoire from choral. All the soloists have pledged to join the choir next year. The annual concert will encourage students from all disciplines and genres of music to develop their talents and expose them, even to those who might be interested in promoting the artists further.
Unizul SIFE sends observers to Malaysia
SIFE’s Internal Affairs Officer, Velemsemi Zulu
Unizul SIFE’s Internal Affairs Officer, Velemsemi Zulu flew to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur as an observer at the 2011 SIFE international competition from 3-5 October. Zulu, a second year law student, was accompanied by SIFE faculty adviser, Ms Nana Vezi and two representatives from DUT SIFE to support South Africa’s winning team, from UKZN. Germany emerged as international champions with the team from Zimbabwe runners up. Commenting on what he said was a life-changing trip into another world, Zulu advised fellow students to seize every opportunity to travel overseas to give them new perspectives on their own country and themselves as well. ‘People in Malaysia work very hard and for long hours to deliver service. Shops shut at midnight, restaurants are open even later. And because the penalties for crime are high, it is very safe there,’ he reported. Zulu was representing the new Unizul SIFE president, Nhlakanipho Nkwanyana who was in the Cape for an interview for the Mandela Rhodes scholarship. Unizul SIFE came second in the national competition in Johannesburg in July.
Academic recognised for research output
Professor AO Banjo
Professor Adewale Banjo, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Administration recently received a C-2 rating from the National Research Foundation for his research output. His research area is focused on Policy Science and Political Science and his work has been reviewed by a panel of established international and national experts. He has several years of experience within the higher education sector and is noted for his dedication to research and capacity building. His achievement was celebrated at a luncheon with his colleagues. Political Science lecturer, Dr Christopher Isike described Professor Banjo as a talented researcher who has made great strides in his academic career which has added to his personal growth and development. His achievement highlights the research potential that Unizul possesses and is reflective of the diligence and research capacity of academic staff. Dr Isike, a published researcher who has written many critically acclaimed papers, said in order to produce work of the highest order, great sacrifices had to be made. He added that the Department of Political Science and Public Administration (POSPAD) has the potential to unearth new talent.
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