High standard of teaching at Unisa
WHILE I have great admiration for the manner in which Jonathan Jansen expresses his outspoken, honest views, his statement regarding the University of South Africa (“History easily politicised”, June 7) cannot go unchallenged.
According to Jansen, students graduating from Unisa have received an inferior education compared to their peers at brick-and-mortar universities as they lack “the rigour of face-to-face teaching and supervision”.
I hold four degrees, including a doctorate, from Unisa as well as three diplomas.
My undergraduate training was rigorous and the level of post-graduate supervision first class with the high praise meted out by international external examiners evidence of the thorough supervision my work received from Unisa’s academic staff.
Never have I felt that my training was under par when compared with colleagues from across the globe, with my research well received at international conferences, and published in local and international peer-reviewed journals.
Unisa lecturers are required to take an academic stance as most of their teaching is through study guides.
There is no loophole allowing for wishy-washy, vaguely worded statements in the lecture hall.
Supplementing their learning with additional reading and other resources, Unisa students take control and responsibility for their own education in ways that those at brick-and-mortar universities frequently do not.
Last, Jansen appears to be behind the times as most brick-and-mortar universities include a wide array of online courses.
Where do these fit into Jansen’s critical appraisal of Unisa’s teaching and learning strategy?
Prof Jeffrey Brukman, Rhodes University, Grahamstown