Languages: 
The Directorate of Teaching and Learning is in the process of developing a WSU101 course to help transition first-year students who come from under-resourced schooling backgrounds, into university life and eventually, the job market.
The course is in response to several challenges spotted through the National Benchmarking Test (NBT) from 2017-2019, which indicated that most students have an opportunity to further develop their academic literacies and enhance their language and academic writing skills to thrive in their studies.
“This is a targeted module for all first years so that they have a better understanding of the University, student life and acquire basic literacies and skills that will allow them to succeed while at university and beyond,” said, Writing Center Manager, Dr Stanford Matenda.
Due to its geographical location and outreach, the university has taken on the role of a gateway institution, offering educational opportunities to the substantial population of rural, economically disadvantaged individuals, thereby providing access to higher education for thousands who might not have had this opportunity otherwise.
According to Matenda, “the course should prepare students for life-long learning and to contribute to the development of graduate attributes, in line with institutional prerogatives of “graduating versatile, work-ready individuals” as stated in the university purpose.
“Upon entering university, we’ve also found that some numerous students encounter the challenging responsibility of independently managing their finances for the first time, adjusting into a digital space, and adjusting to university in general to counter these challenges,” said Matenda.
The WSU101 programme is expected to offer Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, Ubuntu and Ethics, Digital Literacies, WSU Overview, Language Development, Academic Literacies, and Leadership and Governance.
By Ongezwa Sigodi
