Living and Learning

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The Living and Learning Programme is an umbrella term for all the residential communities available on campus. Living and Learning Programmes provide residents with a unique, inclusive residential learning experience that takes education outside of the classroom and allow students to learn where they live alongside with other students with similar academic interests and values. Students live, learn, study and get to know each other.  
  • The programmes developed in the Residences assist to

  • Build strong friendships with peers.
  • Learn academic success skills and strategies.
  • Gain an increased knowledge about major and career options.
  • Form study groups and share learning experiences.
  • Participate in in-house edutainment activities.
  • Get support from a dedicated Student Academic Mentor (SAM).
  • Living and Learning programmes developed for students

  • Business and corporate seminars;
  • CV writing, study and interview skills;
  • Debate sessions;
  • Fun walks;
  • Love my Campus (GCI);
  • LGBTI-Q;
  • Gender-Based Violence Awareness and Prevention;
  • Leadership empowerment seminars;
  • Woman empowerment seminars;
  • Men’s Imbizo;
  • Indigenous games;
  • Health and Wellness;
  • Sport activities; and many more.

UMP has student assistants in the residences, known as Residence Student Assistants (RSAs) appointed by Student Housing, and Floor Representatives that are normally elected by their floor peers.  

 

Residence Student Assistants (RSAs):

Residence Student Assistants (RSAs) are post-graduate resident students who serve as a resource to help resident students navigate the campus and be successful in and out of the classroom. RSAs also work with residents to create a respectful, inclusive community within the residences by facilitating social and educational programming efforts, assisting students in resolving conflicts, and serving as student community role models. The function of the RSA is regulated by a contract of employment and a clearly outlined job description.  
 

Floor Representatives (FRs):

Floor Representatives (FRs) are under graduate students who volunteer to be elected by the floor residing students to represent their peers. FRs assist RSAs in fulfilling their duties and handle most of the menial duties such as distributing tissue to residents, monthly room inventory inspections, report maintenance issues, maintain low noise levels, etc.  
 

The Fun Day event was conducted to keep the residences vibrant by allowing students to compete among themselves. The games that were played include three-legged race, pot carrying, orange and bucket race, bread & butter race, needle race, etc. This event helps to build collaboration, inspiration, and adaptability among the students to understand themselves better.

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Gender Based Violence (GBV) has become a pandemic in South Africa. The University of Mpumalanga took a big step and joined the fight against GBV in the country.It formed a programme called ‘creating a safe space’ annual campaign for vulnerable groups to get support and freely report incidents without fear of further victimization. The GBV activity is a collaborative effort of a number of sections in the University including the Academic Division, Student Affairs, Student Societies, etc.


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The event was a celebration not only of the past, but of the contribution of the South African people in making the country what it is today. Heritage Day recognises and celebrates the cultural worth and wealth of our nation. On this day, we celebrate the diversity of cultures and traditions that our nation has to offer.Diversity being one of the core values of our University, this event was aimed at embracing diversity as the University community by learning more about our different cultures. Staff and students wore different cultural attires, food was prepared for the day from different cultures of South Africa.

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The Student Corporate Seminar was identified to assist students in empowering and capacitating them. The sessions included the following skills:- Interview Skills, CV Writing Skills, Business Plan Writing Skills, and Entrepreneurial Skills.

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Men and Women Empowerment is a programme that assists in empowering the young men and women (i.e., students) of UMP to know their self-worth and improve self-esteem. It is conducted annually by the House Wardens in the residences covering a number of psycho-social topics as chosen by residence students.
 

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Mandela Day is a day celebrated across South Africa by giving 67 minutes of one’s time to give back to the world around them and contribute to global humanitarianism. Student Housing together with the students collected shoes, donation, and sponsorships to donate to the SOS Children’s Home in Kamagugu.
 

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