Illuminating the Persistence and Departures of Previously Disadvantaged Students at an Engineering Faculty [Scholarly Article - SAJHE, December 2021]

Title:

Illuminating the Persistence and Departures of Previously Disadvantaged Students at an Engineering Faculty

 

Author:

M.C. Bladergroen, University of the Western Cape

 

Published:

South African Journal of Higher Education (SAJHE), Volume 35, Number 6 (4 December 2021)

https://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/sajhe/article/view/4317

 

Abstract:

The low success rate of many students from previously disadvantaged groups endangers the face and fate of many tertiary institutions, hence an Engineering Faculty’s explorations into the causes of these students’ persistence at and departures from the Faculty. By using the theory of acculturation and agency the research group explored students’ opportunity of freedom towards self-actualisation. Three sample groups were used and the noteworthy findings of the persistence groups’ questionnaire and the focus group findings were explored. The data suggest that the previously disadvantaged students experience a general sense of isolation and physical segregation. The study reports that Faculty has to make concerted efforts to acknowledge and appreciate the somatic and intellectual skills of PDAS, and utilize these towards academic support if they plan on increasing the retention rates. If not the students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are systemically coerced to spend valuable academic time circumventing unpleasant experiences, change Faculty or drop out of the system.

 

SOUTH AFRICA - Mzilikazi Khumalo (1932 - 2021): a stellar Zulu, African, Pan African and cosmopolitan composer (by T Vokwana) [The Conversation, July 2021]

Title:

Mzilikazi Khumalo: a stellar Zulu, African, Pan African and cosmopolitan composer

 

Author:

Thembela Vokwana

Lecturer, University of Fort Hare, South Africa

 

Published:

The Conversation, 9 July 2021

https://theconversation.com/mzilikazi-khumalo-a-stellar-zulu-african-pan-african-and-cosmopolitan-composer-163875

 

From the article:

A composer of great stature, Professor James Stephen Mzilikazi Khumalo (1932-2021) stands out for his contribution to South African arts and culture. He was a distinguished teacher, a professor of isiZulu, a prolific composer with bold works that broke the compositional mould of his predecessors, contemporaries and possibly an entire generation after him.

 

Queen's University Belfast (Thesis - Ph.D., 2021) - Gender equalities and career progression of Indian women in the information and technology sector in India : women's views and perspectives (by A Patil)

Title:

Gender equalities and career progression of Indian women in the information and technology sector in India : women's views and perspectives

 

Author:

Patil, Aishwarya

 

Published:

Queen's University Belfast (Thesis - Ph.D.), 2021

https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?did=4&uin=uk.bl.ethos.820600

Abstract:

This study sets out to explore women’s perceived difficulties and challenges in career progression in the IT sector in India. While there is a growing body of literature about women’s paid employment in the formal sector in India their increased participation in professional occupations such as IT, the gaps in our knowledge remain. These gaps are investigating career outcomes and career progression of women in the IT sector in India. This study uses the three –dimensional (culture, structure, and action dimension) framework suggested by Julia Evetts to analyse the perceptions and experiences of women about the gender inequalities in the IT organisations and their family. This is qualitative research involving semi-structured interviews with 40 qualified engineers of different marital status and employed at different levels (front liners, middle level, and senior-level) in IT organisations in India. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Women’s views, perceptions and opinions about the challenges in career progression remain central to this research. The findings suggest that gender inequalities exist in the IT sector and Indian society. The culture and structure of family and organisations create the image of an ideal wife/mother and ideal worker, respectively. These two images are at odds with each other, and they pull women in the tug of war. In the workplace there is systemic gender discrimination in terms of work allocation, the promotion process, negative assumptions about women’s skills and talent resulting into their exclusion from leading roles, and promotions, thereby, creating horizontal and vertical segregation within the sector. In the family, women’s status is assumed subordinate to men. Their careers are considered as secondary and women are expected to give preference to family over careers and are subjected to negative, informal appraisals from the family members if they prefer career. Motherhood emerged as a significant factor influencing the career progression of women. Working mothers face more discrimination compared to non -mothers and men in workplace and family. Women’s perceptions effectiveness of equal opportunities in recruitment are favourable. Their perceptions about the implementation of Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act (2015) is also favourable. However, Women’s perceptions about the effectiveness policies of equal remuneration, and equal opportunities in promotions are unfavourable. They perceived that these policies are not implemented effectively. This study argues that the culture and structure of family and organisations contrive to influence the career decisions of women.