FEBEIT EXECUTIVE DEAN PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT FOR THE UPLIFTMENT OF FEMALE ACADEMICS DURING HIS TENURE

During the State of the Faculty Address (SOFA) on Monday, March 24, Prof. Didibuku Thwala, the executive dean of the WSU Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and IT, identified several societal challenges. He emphasized the need for the faculty to produce solution-oriented graduates who are prepared to tackle these issues.

Thwala listed several challenges that must be combated, including the energy crisis, water pollution, food shortage, diseases, water crisis, traffic congestion, Rapid Technological Advances, and high pollution.

The executive dean closely examines the demographic composition of the faculty staff, particularly noting that only one of the seven departmental heads is a woman.

To address this trend and create a better balance, Thwala pledged the faculty's full support for the university's new initiative, the Empowering Women in Research Association (EWIRA). This initiative is designed to assist female academics in their research at WSU.

Thwala emphasized that EWIRA's goals are to:

• - Increase the number of female researchers engaged in research
• - Boost university research output
• - Improve postgraduate completion rates
• - Increase the number of female researchers obtaining external funding.

To promote innovation, diversity, and sustainability, the faculty has organized a writing retreat for women, scheduled to take place in East London from March 27 to 28. This program is designed for women to write, collaborate, and thrive

in an environment free from external distractions.

Thwala emphasized the significance of the ongoing partnership with the Eastern Cape e-Skills CoLab, a government initiative based within the faculty. This collaboration focuses on improving digital literacy and providing individuals with the technological skills needed to enhance their quality of life through targeted training.

"The skills training offered includes mobile digital literacy, an introduction to data science, and cellphone repair, collectively benefiting over 2,600 participants in expanding their digital skills,” said Thwala.

Through the aforementioned initiative, WSU together with the e-Skills CoLab’s principal funding agent, the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA), has provided short training courses on basic digital literacy, 4IR technology, and technical skills.

Thwala also emphasized the various professional bodies that fully accredit the faculty's programs. These include the Council for Higher Education, the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions.

By Thando Cezula