Research Publications (Academic Support)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/211

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Can Universities of Technology in South Africa achieve transformation by promoting a culture of social responsibility among academic and student agents?
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2023-01-01) Markus, Elisha Didam; Govender, Nereshnee
University social responsibility is an intrinsic discourse in South Africa. Universities grapple with their identities relating to learning, teaching, research and community engagement. This paper explores how the drive for transformation particularly at universities of technology has promoted a culture of social responsibility among student and staff agents. Two universities were considered in the analysis of existing norms and understanding how institutions integrate the culture of social responsibility while adhering to mandates of creating knowledge societies. This study provides recommendations that could be endorsed as policy to develop innovative developmental strategies and enact new social responsibility partnerships within university spaces.
Corporate social responsibility in the mining sector in Zimbabwe.
(La Nuova Italia Editrice, 2023-01-31) Musariwa, Priscilla; Rampersad, Renitha; Govender, Nereshnee
Zimbabwe like any other developing country, invests funds in supporting the upliftment of communities and in social programmes that enhances community development. The increasing rate of unemployment and low skills level poses a threat to sustainable development. To support a strategic shift towards impactful results, organisations with the help of the government need constructive and efficient Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, which is simple and user friendly. This can assist project managers and company managers to improve effectiveness and efficiency of CSR programmes. Using a qualitative approach, this study examined the nature of CSR in the mining sector in Zimbabwe to understand the challenges that are faced by mining companies. This paper can be used to design a CSR policy that lead to the planning and implementation of programmes in the mining sector that yield impactful results. Using purposive sampling, four CSR managers were selected from two Zimbabwean mining companies (Zimplats and Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond mining Company). Data was collected through semi structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that mining companies in Zimbabwe are involved in CSR initiatives, but they are faced with a number of challenges including lack of participation from the communities and limited financial resources.
The influence of social media in building organisational relationships in the public relations industry in South Africa
(2023-11-30) Mzizi, Siyabonga L.; Govender, Nereshnee; Govender, Vaneshree
Social media has created a new era of global communication. It is reshaping communication in organisations, thereby compeling many to rethink their communication strategies. In today's technologically driven era, organisations face a multitude of responsibilities and challenges, one of which is the participatory nature of social media which requires a high level of responsiveness. Despite the global social media revolution, not all public relations practitioners in organisations use social media to its fullest potential, regardless of the advantages it may offer. This case study on a leading public relations and communications body in South Africa is used to analyse how social media could be used to maintain effective organisational communication. An interpretative, qualitative approach is employed. Data is gathered through interviews and thematic analysis enabled the categorisation of data into themes. Findings reveal a poor level of engagement on social media platforms and recommends the creation of online discussion forums, the reviewing and monitoring social media platforms, enabling the younger generation of public relations practitioners to spearhead social media activity, and the training and development of practitioners to instil confidence and understanding of social media use.
Transforming learning : reimagining writing centre tutor training in a university context
(Durban University of Technology, 2023-11-21) Govender, Nereshnee; Ndadziyira, Tafadzwa
Tutors in the higher education environment play an important role in facilitating student learning. However, they are often inadequately supported in the contexts in which they work. Tutors often require support through structured training and development programmes that embeds theory and practice to equip them with the powerful knowledge needed in their work with students. A re-examination of the support, training and development of tutors is therefore needed. This paper explored a Writing Centre tutor training progamme within a University of Technology (UoT) context. An academics literacies approach to tutor training has been implemented as it enables the creation of opportunities for students and tutors to question the ways in which they are working with knowledge and demonstrating that knowledge through their writing. Through tutors’ narrative, written reflections and within a qualitative inquiry, this paper explored theory based tutor training and how it contributes to a more responsive Writing Centre practice by developing tutors’ undertsanding of their role in transforming thinking, teaching and learning. It argues for the implementation of on-going, structured and theoretically embedded training that foregrounds Writing Centre pedagogy and creates a foundation for tutors’ cognitive development in their work with students.