Page 9 - Unisa CSET Mid Year Highlights 2025 Digital

Q&A
Prof Simi Dube (Position: Deputy Executive Dean, CSET)
A quote or bible verse that you live by:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.
Reflect on your upbringing and how you ended up in the sciences?
I am from a family of four (two girls and two boys). My mother was a nurse and my father’s profession was in construction industry with amazing skills as a builder. I believe that both my parents instilled in me and my siblings the hunger for education especially in the subjects mathematics and science. Almost all of us had a strong interest in mathematics and science at a very young age. I used to look forward to the experimental work in the laboratories when I was at primary and high school. I guess I have an inquisitive mind which later landed me in the field of sciences.
Reflect on your journey to becoming a Deputy Executive Dean at Unisa
Wow this is an interesting one!!! I first joined Unisa in 2007 as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and was quickly identified by the then Executive Dean, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, to lead the college’s Community Engagement portfolio in 2018. At that time, it seemed like a daunting responsibility since I was still young and inexperienced in terms of management roles. However, I must say I found that role quite fulfilling and in a way it triggered that leader in me that I believe might have been lying dormant. Being a Chairperson of CSET Community Engagement Committee, gave me an opportunity to draw the college CE strategy and framework, develop
operational plans, manage projects and ensure that they are well resourced, report on the projects and work with different stakeholders. This, in a way propelled me into an environment of leadership because I was now part of the College’s Director’s Forum and College Executive Committee that engaged on several matters strategic to the college. I served in this position until 2016 where I was again approached by the then Executive Dean, Prof IGM Moche, to consider the position of Head of Teaching and Learning in the college. The college did not have such an office in the past, so I had the responsibility of establishing such an entity from scratch. After a journey of almost 6 years in this position, later acted as the DED and ED in the college which became accelerators for me to be appointed
in the office of Deputy Executive Dean. I must appreciate my former Executive Deans as well as my current ED for seeing potential and encouraging me to take a leadership role.
Reflect on Balancing Research and Leadership in the college
In fact, when I was approached by my former Executive Deans to take up leadership roles my first response was to reject because I was at a stage of growing my research. I had recruited several postgraduate students (as a Senior Lecturer) and I wanted to give them my undivided attention so that they succeed within minimum time. After some convincing and the promise that I will be supported, I then committed to leadership roles. My approach even prior taking up leadership was that of creation of a research group which allowed for co-supervision and also collaborative learning. This model has sustained me and given me time do continue my research work and supervise postgraduate students. I negotiated back as a Chair of Community Engagement and Head of Teaching and Learning that where possible I will dedicate one day in a week (usually Fridays) for my research and postgraduate engagements. I have kept that approach even today where my PA blocks my Fridays so that I can have one-to- one meetings with students or have a research group meeting . It is not always easy because there are demand in the office and institutional meetings that at time disrupt this arrangement. Regardless of these disruptions, I always ensure that I reset and recover so that my students do not struggle.
Are there any Unique challenges experienced by being a female leaders? If so, how have you learnt to overcome them?
I cannot ascribe specific challenges that I encountered because of gender issues. The colleagues I have worked with so far have not given me an attitude or undermined me because I am a women. In fact, both male and female colleagues approach me for guidance where there is need.
Successes or wins that you want to share in your journey as a researcher and leader within the portfolio that you lead?
For me, it has been fulfilling to see my postgraduate students graduate successful and many of them with publications attached to their work. All students that enrol under my supervision in the research
Define tomorrow.
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