Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
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- ItemTransition to Virtual Graduation: Experiences of 2021 University Graduates in Zimbabwe(Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science (RIELS) Journal, 2022-09-03) Chikusvura, N.; Nkomo, S.; Sibanda, L.The research sought to investigate graduates' experiences with the shift to virtual graduation. The interpretive paradigm used in this study aided the current researchers in maintaining the integrity of the phenomenon being investigated, which comprehends the experiences of graduates on various platforms used at graduation. Qualitative method was utilized. The research included thirty randomly chosen graduates from three different institutions. Data was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire. According to the report, institutions focused more on physical ceremony arrangements, despite the fact that the majority of students participated digitally. The study also found that other graduates enjoyed the graduation because they attended physical virtual graduation events planned by student representatives and held at various locations. Graduates, on the other hand, were financially burdened since they had to invest additional graduation expenditures in order to attend these physical virtual graduation festivities. The study concluded that the effectiveness of various virtual graduation formats as measured by participant satisfaction, ease of access, ability to optimize social presence, and engagement was not achieved. In this aspect, the survey indicated that colleges prioritized actual graduation ceremonies over virtual ceremonies. The research suggests that colleges collaborate with various event planners to supply and host their grads, allowing all graduates to experience a feeling of connection and success.
- ItemQuality Higher Education for Sustainable Development: The Transition towards Achieving Agenda 2030 Global Goals(International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science (IJLRHSS), 2022-02) Manokore, K.; Tlou, F.; Mkwelie, N.; Phuthi, N.; Shava, G.N.; Mhlanga, E.; Mangena, A.; Sibanda, Z.; Chasokela, D.Quality Higher Education and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) have become part of the discourse and issue in higher education contexts. Every phase or debate of higher education is now being urged to declare its support for ESD. Recently the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda proposed that quality education and ESD should play a vital role for the transformation of the world‟ s economy as expressed in the Agenda‟ s goals and sub goals. The UN Incheon Declaration 2015 highlighted the vital role of education that it plays in the universal journey towards sustainable development across the globe and saving our planet. Higher education should play a pivotal role in the transition towards achieving quality in the entire education system. The UN formally adopted the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as an outcome of a major global consultative process. Agenda 2030 advocates for providing the opportunity to progress towards the transition to implement quality education and ESD that fosters the knowledge, skills, values, perspectives and actions that lead towards a more sustainable future. The study examines the implementation of Agenda 2030 Global Goal on quality and sustainability in Zimbabwean higher education. The aim of the study is to increase knowledge of potential strategies to meet the fourth UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4), which strives for quality education. Institutions in the study were at different levels of interpretation, understanding and implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals. The majority of the participants did not have an all-inclusive knowledge and comprehension of ESD mainstreaming as a holistic approach. That is, an allembracing ESD integration as a curriculum systemic concept that holds both curriculum and institutional change, to contribute to the overall re-orientation of education towards sustainability. The qualitative study provides a detailed description on the challenges of implementing quality and sustainability in higher education.
- ItemAdopting Quality Assurance Standard to Enhance High Operational standards in State Universities, the Zimbabwean Context(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2022-03) Pawandiwa, P.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Shava, G.; Charumbira, J.; Mathonsi, E.The study sought to determine the Implications of Quality Assurance Standards of the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education (ZIMCHE) on Zimbabwean State Universities. For decades Zimbabwe had prided itself of having one of the highest literacy rates and churning out high quality human capital regionally and internationally. Lately sentiments have been expressed suggesting that the quality of education in Zimbabwean State Universities has been declining due to the economic meltdown of the past decade which incapacitated the supervisory body (ZIMCHE). In executing this study nine (9) State university Vice Chancellors, nine (9) senior officials from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, twenty-one (21) Faculty Deans, fifteen (15) ZIMCHE board members and six (6) Student Representative Bodies [Zimbabwe National Students Union](ZINASU) and the Student Solidarity Trust] were sampled. The major findings from this research were that ZIMCHE was very relevant and its standards are generally effective despite the fact that the body has had to grapple with funding and human capital constraints among others. The study therefore notes that ZIMCHE and its quality assurance standards play a pivotal role in the enhancement of quality in university education. The researchers recommended the restructuring of the ZIMCHE board to accommodate other members from industrial and professional bodies in a bid to enhance independence, the undertaking of income generating projects by universities to supplement their budgetary requirements, increased budget allocations to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and the development of better problem solving methods to ensure that students were not prejudiced by ZIMCHEs action on universities. While the current study and others studies have focused on the quality of teaching and learning, it is strongly recommended that future research explores the quality of research.
- ItemEnhancing Development Potential of Diaspora Communities, Experiences of Zimbabweans Living in Botswana(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2022-03) Sibanda, K.; Ndlovu, M. J.; Shava, G.; Zulu, E.; Shonhiwa, S.The study examined the development potential of the Zimbabwean diaspora communities living in Botswana. The current study sought to fill a gap in the interrogation of the willingness and capacity of Zimbabweans living in Botswana to participate in development projects in Zimbabwe. The research was carried out in Botswana using mail and electronic questionnaires, in depth interviews and ethnographic data. Fifty mail survey respondents, 7 electronic survey respondents and 12 in depth study respondents were used in the current study. The mixed method approach used yielded data that could not have been obtained with one method only. Using the transnational capability framework, the research established the existence of both skilled and unskilled Diaspora in Botswana. The study observed that the Zimbabwean community in Botswana is actively involved in transnational activities. The study established that there is willingness to participate in the advancement of their families and communities in Zimbabwe. There are some challenges that hinder the full participation of the Diaspora community that were noted in the study. The shorter periods covered by permits affect the migrants’ capacity to access loans from banks or engage in long term planning as they risk non-renewal of permits. On the Zimbabwean side the economic and political uncertainty affect the commitment by some Zimbabweans in the diaspora to invest in Zimbabwe. The possibility of engagement between Zimbabweans in the diaspora is affected by lack of trust between the current government and the citizens in the Diaspora. The study recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should create a database of Zimbabweans living in Botswana to determine and tap the available skills base for capacity building. The Governments of Botswana and Zimbabwe are recommended to discuss extension of permits and granting of dual citizens to Zimbabwean applicants for the benefit of both countries. There is also need for the Zimbabwean Government to reduce duty on capital goods to allow the Diaspora community to bring productive capital for investment.
- ItemLeadership and Gender, women management: the social realist analytical theoretical view point.(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2021-05) Shava, G.N.; Chasara, T.; Tlou, F.N.; Mathonsi, E.The study leadership from a gender perspective in a rural context in Zimbabwe. The study investigated the challenges faced by female school heads because of their gender in one rural district. Grounded in the qualitative paradigm and using the social realist theoretical analytical framework, a thematic approach was used in analysing qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews with ten female school heads. Findings from the study showed that female school heads were not perceived as incompetent and unable by male colleagues only, but also by female staff colleagues as a result of an entrenched culture of male dominance. Among the challenges faced by female principals included: negative attitude from some parents and teachers undermined because of their gender and lack of confidence. The study recommends the mounting of gender awareness workshops with both parents and teachers to sensitive them on gender equity issues. In addition the study calls for mentoring and networking workshops, in service training opportunities and role modelling to be given to female teachers who aspire to, and have potential in leadership so that these female teachers can feel empowered and see that they have the potential executing leadership roles.