May 2020 EDITION


LETTER FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

In the past months I noted how the pandemic and the national lockdown have required us to do things differently and find news ways of continuing with the task at hand: your education. UMP has risen to the challenge beautifully. From celebrating Africa Day from the comfort of our homes to teaching and learning online – and succeeding. Well done to you all; and thank you!



UMP CELEBRATES AFRICA DAY UNDER LOCKDOWN

UMP staff and students did not let lockdown get them down as Africa Day was this year celebrated from the comfort of their homes through a45-minute video, which was aired on all UMP’s online platforms.



LOCKDOWN: HOW UMP STUDENTS ARE COPING

The national lockdown has disrupted our daily lives on every level. Students in particular have had to adapt very quickly to new ways of learning and studying. UMP students share how they are coping with their studies under lockdown.



COVID-19: HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS ENABLED US TO CONTINUE

Virtual meetings, robots taking care of patients, deliveries by drones, online studies are some of the technonological developments that have rapidly risen to become useful in the past months. UMP’s Dr Mncedisi Bembe from the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences observes the evolution of technology during COVID-19.



UMP STUDENTS GEAR UP FOR THE JOB MARKET

Third-year students studying towards a Diploma in Plant Production are doing essential work at different farms as part of their Workplace Integrated learning (WIL). The students will spend up to eleven months at the farms in preparation for the job market.



PIONEERING UMP’S ONLINE LEARNING AND TEACHING PROGRAMME

Meet Dr Severino Machingambi, head of the online learning and teaching task team, who’s making sure that the university, delivers its mandate to successfully implement strategies to help salvage the 2020 academic year.



OPINION: SOUTH AFRICA’S COVID-19 ECONOMIC RELIEF AND ‘STIMULUS’

UMP Associate Professor of Economics and Programme Leader of Bachelor of Commerce, Andrew Maredza, shares his thoughts on COVID-19 and SA’s economic and social response to the pandemic.



UMP STUDENTS DONATE NECESSITIES TO PEERS IN NEED

The plight of students desperate for food and basic necessities inspired three UMP students to use their savings to provide for those in need during the national lockdown.