Since its inception in 2000, the EDU has had a mandate to assist Faculty of Health Sciences with its Transformation agenda in educational programmes. The transformation agenda is three-pronged:

  1. Restructure educational programmes in order to graduate students who are appropriately prepared for practice in the transforming South African health system that is evolving towards Primary Health Care;
  2. Restructuring of educational programmes to take account of new educational and assessment methodologies emerging in the field of health sciences' education;
  3. Assist the faculty in achieving equity within the student population, ensuring throughput and success of students from previously excluded groupings and educationally under-resourced backgrounds.

The values which inform our work with Faculty are shaped by social justice and equity concerns. In terms of staff this recognises that facilitating the professionalisation of their roles as educators includes engaging curricular themes related to social responsiveness in educating and training health sciences’ students. In regard to students this recognises that students’ prior learning and experience needs to be affirmed, engaged and addressed in the learning process in ways that do not perpetuate overt or subtle forms of discrimination.

The function of the EDU has evolved:

  • From: planning, driving and implementing the new MB ChB and infusing all teaching, service and research activities of the entire Faculty with the Primary Health Care Approach (Dean's Circular, 1 March 2000)
  • To: being an educational service unit with a mission that promotes quality education within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Navigate to this page for more information.

Transformation Statement

EDU PURPOSE: promote the quality and effectiveness of the education process.

By means of promoting the following:

  • curriculum development
  • continuous professional development
  • the effective use of Educational Technology
  • Health Sciences education research

Strategic Priorities

Each of the following EDU functions is a strategic priority as follows:

  1. Curriculum development including academic development
  2. Continuous professional development in Education
  3. Effective use of Educational Technology
  4. HS education research to inform 1, 2 and 3 above

Curriculum restructuring activities

  • 2010: Facilitated the Curriculum Planning & Design for the Masters Programme in Forensic Sciences.
  • 2010: Facilitated the Curriculum Restructuring of the Honours Programme in Nutrition and Dietetics.
  • 2006 to present: Participating in the Curriculum Restructuring of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
  • 2004 to 2005: Facilitated the Development of the Intervention Programme (Extended Programme), School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
  • 2004 to 2006: Facilitated the Curriculum Restructuring of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
  • 2004 to current: Participating in Curriculum Restructuring of the MB ChB Programme, Years 4 to 6.
  • 2001 - 2002: Facilitated the Development of the Intervention Programme (Extended Curriculum), MB ChB Programme.
  • 2000 - 2003: Facilitating and Leading Curriculum Restructuring of the MB ChB Programme, Years 1 to 3.