The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is thrilled to announce the recent appointment of Professor Vuyokazi Nomlomo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Teaching and Learning.

Prof Nomlomo has been in the higher education sector for 22 years. She has moved through the academic and management ranks holding positions such as head of department, deputy dean (teaching and learning) and dean in her previous place of work.

She holds a PhD in Language and Literacy Studies and is an accomplished professor of language education and teacher education. She is an established and NRF-rated researcher in language and literacy studies. Her research cuts across multilingual education, the intellectualisation of African languages and early literacy development in African languages, and has published extensively in these areas.

Over the past 10 years, she has successfully supervised a number of PhD and Masters students.  She has led and coordinated wide-scale collaborative research projects with national and international partners. She has also guest edited books and acted as a reviewer for different accredited education research journals.  She is highly recognized in her field of research and has acted as an external examiner for masters and doctoral students from different institutions.

Her new role entails providing leadership and support in teaching and learning to advance the strategic vision of the institution.

Outlining her short-term goals, she said: “My short-term plan is to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning by exploring relevant, inclusive, flexible and multimodal teaching and learning approaches that will be accessible to all our staff and students.  It is critical that we embrace these teaching and learning approaches as we face the impact of (the) Covid-19 global pandemic, and to ensure that we prioritise not only student access to meaningful learning, but also their retention and success.  I will prioritise curriculum renewal and innovation to respond to the needs of a changing and digital world of the 21st century. It is necessary to enhance good leadership capabilities and scholarship at all levels with regard to teaching and learning.”

Prof Nomlomo is a strong believer of consultative, dialogical and transformative leadership and her mantra is “together we can make a difference”.

When the academic is not diligently working, she unwinds by spending time with her family, watching the world news and reading novels.

– Precious Shamase

Caption: Professor Vuyokazi Nomlomo.