Page 3 - DUT Conduit Dec21

DUT Fulbright Research Scholar Networks with
US Colleagues
Waheeda Peters
Pictured: Dr Anisa Vahed at Utah.
Pictured: A virtual meeting with DUT and BSU colleagues.
Co-leader of DUT’s Supporting Under- graduate Research Excellence (SURE) project, Dr Anisa Vahed is currently a visiting Fulbright Research Scholar at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Prescott, Arizona, where she is engaging with a network of US colleagues on her Fulbright project titled ‘Advancing the Undergraduate Research-Teaching Nexus’.
Dr Vahed explained that this is an under- developed area at South African universities, particularly Universities of Technology.
“ERAU has an established and highly functional Undergraduate Research Institute led by Dr Anne Boettcher, former president of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), which is renowned for undergraduate research activities and events across US campuses.
“The Fulbright project underpins the objectives of SURE which aims to enhance scholarly excellence in undergraduate research and teaching and cultivate learning by inquiry, while fostering a host of graduate attributes,” she said.
In October, Vahed visit the Mayo Clinic and Bridgewater States University (BSU). She observed the outstanding technology used in the anatomy curriculum by a mixed team of expert practitioners that offers students engaging and enriching practice-based learning experiences. This has strengthened some of the learning objectives of her Fulbright scholarship project.
At BSU in North Easton, Boston, Vahed was hosted by Dr Jenny Olin Shanahan, Assistant Provost in the Department of Academic Affairs, Centre for Transformative Learning and Undergraduate Research Programme. Shanahan is actively contributing to SURE, particularly in terms of how to integrate undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry into the curriculum.
During her week at BSU, Dr Vahed networked with colleagues who shared their inter-and multidisciplinary undergraduate research
Pictured: Dr Anisa Vahed at the Grand Canyon.
Pictured: Dr Anisa Vahed with Dr Anne Boettcher
projects. She also had an opportunity to engage with undergraduate students who demonstrated their knowledge and skills in multidisciplinary project-based research.
An engaging virtual meeting was held with Dr Lavern Samuels and Ms Divinia Jithoo (International, Education and Partnership) and Dr Wing-kai To (Assistant Provost for Global Engagement) and other BSU colleagues. Dr Vahed commented that “given the shared interests and mutual benefits in various projects such as Undergraduate Research; COIL; Student exchange programmes; and African Studies programmes, amongst others, DUT and BSU are currently in discussions to formalise their partnership through an MoU.”
She was most impressed by the food delivery robots at BSU: “These bots are contactless, low cost, fast and friendly and can navigate around people and public spaces without a human driver to deliver food to students from the cafeteria.”
Dr Vahed also managed to fulfil one of the wishes on her bucket list, a 10-day tour of world heritage site, the Grand Canyon, and to visit other natural wonders and places of interest.
In Boston, Dr Vahed visited Brown University, Harvard University, and Massachusetts InstituteofTechnology(MIT).Shenotedthat
Pictured: Dr Anisa Vahed in discussion with BSU students.
each has distinctive characteristics that enable them to offer recognised and intellectually- renowned courses.
“ERAU is also renowned for offering flagship courses in Aviation and STEM, which sets it
apart from other universities,” she said.
She expressed her gratitude to Boettcher and her network of colleagues for their hospitality, and vibrant engagements.
Current Editorial Team: Simangele Zuma, Waheeda Peters
Contributors: Waheeda Peters, Simangele Zuma, Sindisiwe Ndlovu, DUT COVID-19 Response Task Team
Images: Google Images, Unsplash, Durban Tourism/DUT Editorial Team
Layout and Design: Artworks | www. artworks.co.za
Printing: ROCMedia
How to contact us
Mr Alan Khan: alank@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2906/2106
Miss Bongiwe Chiliza: bongiwec@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2106 Miss Noxolo Memela: noxolom@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2845 Mrs Waheeda Peters: waheedap@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2113 Miss Simangele Zuma: simangelez1@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2899 Mr Aman Mahomed: amanullahm@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2339 Mr Nkululeko Mbatha: nkululekom4@dut.ac.za or 031 373 2107 Miss Nikiwe Sukazi: caadmin2@dut.ac.za or 031 373 6529
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