Page 34 - DUT Annual Report 2023

Figure 2. Percentage participation across faculties
The Student Support programmes are dedicated to fostering the academic and social transition of students. These programmes are designed to bridge the gap in students’ understanding and application of disciplinary knowledge, aligning with the strategic goals of ENVISION 2030. In addition, these programmes aim to create a co-creative, enabling, and enriching living and learning environment that promotes accountability and academic integrity.
First Year Student Experience
Programme
The first year student experience (FYSE) programme is designed to create a transformative first-year experience that sets the foundation for success throughout students’ university journey and beyond. Through a combination of orientation sessions, workshops, peer mentoring, and support services, the FYSE programme is tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of incoming students, through integrating academic advising, study skills development, campus involvement opportunities, and wellness initiatives. Integral to the FYSE is the use of data-driven practices to inform the topics and focus of the FYSE seminars and workshops. With its primary focus of nurturing smooth academic and campus transition and adaption, the FYSE has used the peer to peer approach to ensure that students are supported. In 2023, the following topics were covered: Students as Champions of ENVISION2030, Know Your Cash, exam preparation workshops, managing myself and time, Becoming a Knower.
Residence Educational Programme
As part of the ongoing commitment to support academic success and personal development, the Residence Educational Programme (REP) aims to provide valuable resources, guidance, and peer support, in collaboration with the student housing and residence life unit. The REP is designed to complement students’ academic studies
and enhance their learning experience by offering a variety of tutorials, workshops, and peer-led sessions tailored to student needs and interests. Over 3,141 students participated in the REP and over 57 modules were supported through the REP across all faculties in the 2023 academic year.
Student-Led Conversations/
Conference
The student-led conversation programme opened a platform for students to engage in critical dialogues embedded in strong values and principles. This initiative put students at the centre of finding sustainable solutions towards their challenges. In the 2023 academic year, 2,691 students participated in the programme.
Academic Advising
Academic advising, as facilitated by the Teaching, Learning and Development Practitioners (TLDPs) guides and supports students on their educational path. At the DUT, academic advising is a collaborative process aimed at helping students define and achieve their academic and personal goals. The TLDPs worked with both FTENs and returning students in navigating academic challenges and planning for the future. A total number of 3,940 students were reached through academic advising.
Proactive engagements/seminars
In addition to the first year seminar series, the following seminars were held: 1. Critical thinking vs systemic thinking, which introduced students to different methodologies to make connections of their different modules and concepts; 2. Becoming a Knower, which teaches students to understand the kinds of knowledge with which they are interacting and make meaning for application of these knowledges; and 3. Study techniques that allows for co- creating with students different learning in preparation for assessments.
32
DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2023