In 2013, Prof Awie Kotzé, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences had the strategic vision to drive excellence in teaching and learning in the faculty. He took the initiative to appoint a Higher Education Specialist with a Health Science background in the Dean’s office. This single appointment developed over the next 3-4 years into a Health Professions Education office and in 2018 the Centre for Health Professions Education (CHPE) was established. Currently the CHPE is run by only three full-time staff members (2 academic, 1 administrative) with scope for expansion in the near future.
As the focus on quality teaching and learning at the NWU and the Faculty of Health Sciences increased, the value of the CHPE became more apparent. Through the CHPE, there was a refocussing on innovative and quality teaching and learning in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Higher Education and Health Sciences were aligning and the nexus between teaching and research were filled through a dedicated drive towards the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).
Closing date for applications 31 October 2020