Five positions in the government's New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) were allocated to Stellenbosch University (SU). The allocations are in the fields of Economics, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Anatomy and Histology, Mathematics and in Social Work. The University already started to advertise the positions.
nGAP is one of five programmes of SSAUF (Staffing South Africa's Universities Framework) – focussed on the expansion of the size and compilation of academic staff at South African universities – especially with regard to transformation. The focus of the programme is the appointment of black and coloured candidates as well as the appointment of women.
Prof Tobie de Coning, SU Chief Director: Strategic Initiatives and Human Resources, says the University welcomed the initiative. "SU is fully committed to sustained and systemic transformation, including the diversification of its employee corps in terms of race, gender, and cultural diversity. nGAP is an important step forward in this process and ties in with the University's Institutional Intent and Strategy and it is supporting plans that include mandatory transformation."
According to Prof De Coning, a great advantage of the programme is that appointments will initially have a reduced teaching load to enable them to further their studies. "In addition, a mentor will be allocated to each of the appointees to support them with their individual professional development and to guide them in the process of registering for masters' or doctoral studies. The mentors will also provide support with personal challenges, time and financial management and to create opportunities for discussions about their teaching and research experience."
Successful candidates will partake in the programme for six years after which they become part of the fulltime academic corps of the University. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) will cover the total costs of the first three years. In the next three years, the DHET will cover 75%, 50% and 25% respectively of the costs. The University will take over the full costs of employment after six years.
The criteria for participation include that applicants have to be 40 years or younger and that they illustrate evidence of eligibility to undertake postgraduate study at master's or doctoral level. The recruitment and appointment of the nGAP employees will take place in accordance with the university's policies and procedures, with due consideration of the transformational agenda of the SSAUF and national priorities developed by the DHET.
The DHET will be entitled to participate, with observer status, in the selection process. The University will make recommendations regarding appointment of candidates to the DHET, which in turn will forward it to the Director-General for final approval.
- For more information on the advertised positions, visit www.sun.ac.za and click on Careers @ SU.
