Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) recently held an event to celebrate excellence in teaching, learning and assessment (TLA). The three-part event also marked the upgrade of the Centre of Health Professions Education (CHPE) to departmental status, now known as the Department of Health Professions Education (DHPE), and the establishment of the Digital Education and Innovation (DEI) unit.
Prof Karin Baatjes, FMHS Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching, emphasized the growing significance of TLA in academia. "In an academic environment such as ours, teaching, learning and assessment is becoming a professional role and not just something you do on the side—it is the main thing you do in your discipline," she said.
The event paid tribute to FMHS colleagues who attended TLA-related short courses or degree programmes offered by the DHPE, and those who received TLA-related awards during the year.
From Centre to Department: A milestone achievement
Prof Ben van Heerden, who founded the faculty's first formal unit for health professions education in 2006, congratulated the team on their achievement. In a prerecorded video, he noted the growth "from its humble beginnings in the basement with a handful of staff, to a fully-fledged academic department with a staff complement of 25 people."
Prof Susan van Schalkwyk, who has led the DHPE for eight years, attributed its success to the team's collaborative culture and their ability to seize opportunities. "The DHPE is all about people, and I attribute its success to the way in which we work: how we are there for each other, support each other and help one another," she said. She also thanked faculty management for its ongoing support over the years.
Embracing transformative learning
As outgoing Director, Van Schalkwyk expressed her hope that the DHPE would continue to focus on transformative learning. "The learning we seek for the students of this faculty is transformative learning that will transform problematic frames of reference, that will challenge our students to consider where they come from, where their ideas and world view come from."
She emphasized the importance of critical thinking about knowledge and its implications for healthcare professionals in South Africa's complex environment.
Launch of Digital Education and Innovation
Prof Simone Titus-Dawson announced the transformation of the 'Learning Technologies' team into the Digital Education and Innovation (DEI) unit. "This change reflects our expanded focus on fostering pedagogically sound teaching, learning and assessment practices through the strategic integration of the digital environment," she explained.
The DEI team aims to drive educational innovation through technology, adapting to the evolving digital landscape in health professions education. "Using transformative learning principles, we aim to meaningfully engage staff in online activities that enable them to navigate issues of complexity, reflection, empathy, and cultural humility," Titus-Dawson said.
Looking to the future
FMHS Dean Prof Elmi Muller concluded the event by congratulating the DHPE and praising colleagues who advanced their TLA skills. "Education is one of the key strategic focus areas of our faculty and it is brilliant to see so many people who are passionate about health professions education," she said.
