It has been a year since Mahlatse Mphahlele joined the Durban University of Technology after her appointment as an nGAP lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department under the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
Mphahlele originally from Limpopo joined DUT in July 2020, which forced her to move to Durban from Johannesburg, where she was working as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.
She is part of the New Generation of Academics Programme (NGAP), an initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in partnership with DUT to build a new generation of academics. The programme was aimed at attracting people with relevant qualifications and experience to pursue a Doctoral qualification while they are developing as proficient academics at the University. Mphahlele is currently studying towards completing her PhD degree at DUT.
Giving a brief background on herself, Mphahlele said: “I am a Master of Technology graduate in Chemical Engineering with a research focus on Materials Science and Powder Metallurgy. I hold an undergraduate Bachelors of Technology degree and a National Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering. I have experience as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. Through a search for better opportunities I came to learn of the opportunity in DUT under the field of Powder Metallurgy, I applied, and fortunately, I was awarded the job.”
Explaining her position, Mphahlele said an nGAP lecturer is a developing academic that is afforded the opportunity to grow under a set structure and being mentored by experienced academics. She said the programme ensures that young and upcoming academics are granted opportunities to be groomed into exceptional academics that will advance the standard of academia (teaching, learning and research) at DUT and ensure that critical skills and knowledge are retained and developed over time.
Mphahlele also spoke about working during the time of COVID-19 saying it has challenged her to be more objective with teaching, and to be creative so that the teaching and learning integrity is not compromised. Mostly, she said she does online teaching and assessments.
“The times we are in has dissolved our perspective of certainty and has made it clear that we need to be dynamic and adaptive so that we can stand victorious through any circumstances. Academic being no different,” said Mphahlele.
Furthermore, she advised aspiring nGAP lecturers to know their goals and constantly work towards achieving them.
“Everything big starts small, so you need to be determined, persistent, adaptive, and work hard,” she said.
Pictured: Mahlatse Mphahlele
Simangele Zuma
