December 2021 EDITION


LETTER FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

In this our last and final newsletter of the year, I will keep it light and easy and not burden you after what has been a really trying year. We have all come this far, and we have reached our destination together, through teamwork, through a valiant effort, and with great determination.



UMP RECOGNISES TOP PERFORMERS

At this year’s Research and Teaching and Engagement Awards ceremony, held at the Mbombela campus, four top performing individuals from the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) were honoured for their outstanding achievements and contribution towards ensuring high-quality education and training.



VACCINATION: THE KEY TO IGNITE MPUMALANGA TOURISM

As South Africa finds itself amid a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Tourism and Heritage lecturer, Dr Precious Shabalala explores tourism trends in Mpumalanga and whether an increase in vaccination figures might help the sector to ignite.



SRC PRESIDENT ON SUCCESS, LEADERSHIP AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR

Top on the agenda for University of Mpumalanga's (UMP) newly elected President of the Student Representative Council, Bathini Madinawe, is to motivate, inspire and lead students to become successful in their chosen fields of study.



CREATING SAFER SPACES FOR LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE AT VARSITIES

EXPERT OPINION: As the country grapples with Gender-based Violence and the rising number of abuse and murders within the LGBTQIA+ community, University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Sociology Lecturer and Chairperson of the Gender Forum, Dr Nonzwakazi Maqubela, says it is the responsibility of universities to disrupt and dismantle the deeply-rooted ‘bitter knowledge’ and all its homophobic manifestations at institutions of higher learning.



CULTIVATING YOUNG MINDS AT FOUNDATION PHASE

With almost a year teaching at a rural school in Siyabuswa, University of Mpumalanga (UMP) alumnus, Blessing Mabena is cultivating young minds at Foundation Phase to become responsible in their communities and become world citizens.



ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAN SOLVE UNEMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES

With a youth unemployment rate of almost 65% (According to Statistics South Africa 2021), University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Entrepreneurship lecturer and founder of several start ups, Mr Lebogang Neo says Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are another strategic vehicle through which to create employment in South Africa.