University of Johannesburg: Three of the Faculty of Humanities’ newest short learning programmes

Meet the women behind the programmes

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) provides a wide range of continuing education programmes (CEPs) and short learning programmes (SLPs), which range from the general formative and professional to the vocational (career focused) and technological. These SLPs are designed to address national, regional and local imperatives, to support the transformation of the higher education system and thereby to advance the vision of the UJ to be an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. The Faculty of Humanities at UJ has introduced three new SLPs that contribute to this vision. 

The SLP on “Digital Public Relations”, hosted by Professor Maritha Pritchard and Professor Corné Meintjes, introduces participants to the theory and practice of using digital public relations tools, techniques and strategies. Students will gain knowledge about digital public relations fundamentals, digital channels, social media strategies, storytelling and digital branding. Students can conveniently attend online or face-to-face lectures depending on their learning preferences. Students will learn how to make content for platforms like TikTok while getting to know the ins and outs of podcasting and influencer marketing, for example, while discovering techniques for crafting digital brand storytelling and creating engaging content. 

Upon completion, students will be equipped to compile a social media strategy to enhance a brand’s online reputation. With the public relations and media landscape shifting to be more technologically driven and the power of social media becoming more prominent, the skills to manage communication effectively using technology, and in the social media space, is necessary to avoid risks to an organisation or brand. The SLP is offered to learners within an environment at the University of Johannesburg that treasures academic freedom and emphasises acting responsibly by being fair and consistent in its endeavours.  

The “French for Beginners” SLP, led by Lazelle Burgess and Lineo Nkabane-Sekopo, responds to the short-term need of professionals being able to converse with their French or Francophone counterparts and also benefits students who would like to learn French for non-academic purposes. The purpose of the SLP is to equip students and professionals with the practical ability to speak and understand French when spoken in the workplace. The skills attained will be to converse at a beginner level of French.

The SLP on “Communication Skills for 21st Century Professionals”, developed and managed by Fatima Darsot, aims to provide participants with a clear understanding of using professional business tools like meetings, reporting and other forms of communication to advance their careers. 21st century business communication skills in English requires an understanding of business communication in our new global, digital and diverse business world. The basic communication processes are supplemented with the ways in which modern technology and workplace norms should be applied across a multitude of communication platforms and channels.  

The content places emphasis on business communication skills. Conveying ideas effectively requires superb skills, as even the most logical, sensible and rational ideas can fail if they are expressed poorly, unclearly and unconvincingly. Effective communication cannot be learned from a book, and everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. This SLP combines theoretical frameworks with tailored practice, guidance and feedback. The students best suited for this programme are aspirant business professionals wanting to advance their careers, including learners for whom English is not a first language and who wish to obtain skills in English business communication. 

The women behind the programmes

Professor Pritchard and Professor Meintjes are based in the Department of Strategic Communication. Having worked in digital branding and public relations for many years, Professor Maritha Pritchard used her practical experience to co-develop the SLP with Professor Corné Meintjes. Professor Meintjes has designed and delivered several short courses at various higher education institutions in South Africa and abroad, guaranteeing a quality offering for a blended educational space. Ensuring that the course content stays ahead of the curve, Professors Pritchard and Meintjes use their research in the dynamically changing digital media space to ensure students learn about the latest trends. Applicants only need a matric to apply, and can email Ms Faith Nephawe at [email protected].

Lazelle Burgess is a French lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. She is passionate about teaching French and learning new, innovative ways to teach the language. In addition to years of experience teaching French at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Burgess is also an accredited Examiner of the DELF/DALF (French Ministry of Education-awarded diplomas, which prove the French language skills of non-French candidates) exams and in May 2022, she was accredited as a Trainer of Examiners for DELF/DALF by France Education International. Burgess obtained her Master’s degree in French (specialising in teaching French as a foreign language) at the Université de Paul Valéry III in Montpellier, France. She is currently working towards her PhD in French, researching in particular: The role of the first language in the appropriation of French in South Africa. She also has a keen interest in translation studies and is a member of the Association for French Studies in Southern Africa (AFSSA). 

Lineo Nkabane-Sekopo is also a French lecturer at UJ. She is driven by her desire to enhance learners’ learning potential, selecting effective teaching tactics, and motivating students to learn. She holds an MA in Language Science (Specialising in the Teaching of French as a Foreign Language) from the University of Paris 7, and she is currently enrolled for a Ph.D. in French. She is also an accredited examiner of the DELF A1 to Dalf C1 and C2 levels. DELF and DALF are internationally recognised diplomas awarded by the French Ministry of Education to prove French language skills.  She obtained accreditation at the Alliance Française in Johannesburg. Nkabane-Sekopo is also a member of the South African Translators’ Institute. Venez apprendre le français avec nous!

Fatima Darsot is a high-performing and experienced educationist with a passion for enhancing the quality of life through education at all levels. She has been with the University of Johannesburg for the past 12 years and has been involved in teaching communication to various disciplines in the university. She also holds a strong track record for ensuring long-term sustainable growth in educational programmes. Her background is in English education, educational linguistics, education research and engineering education. Her goal is to motivate students to do their best and extend their own personal limits. She is currently pursuing a PhD in engineering education. 

Visit this link for a list of all Faculty of Humanities SLPs on offer: https://www.uj.ac.za/faculties/humanities/short-learning-programmes/