Tebogo Mokwana
NESP Scholar, UL
Participating in the program has been a truly enriching experience for me. The financial support from NESP, including the coverage of my fees and the monthly allowances, has been invaluable. It has afforded me the necessary time and resources to focus on my studies, particularly in reading and writing.
During the period from July 2023 to December 2023, I had the opportunity to observe and assist with Mathematics 3B and the Method of Mathematics 3B. My role involved helping with the marking of tests and examination papers, which provided me with valuable insights into assessment practices and academic standards. From January 2024 to March 2024, my responsibilities expanded to conducting online lectures under the supervision of a mentor, preparing and delivering content in a virtual setting, development of test and examination items, and marking guidelines, through collaborative efforts with my mentor.
I assisted at-risk learners in face-to-face settings by facilitating support sessions for students who needed additional help and providing consultations to a select group of students on Advanced Calculus.
Regarding my own research, I am currently working on a draft paper with my supervisor.
Reflecting on the duration of the internship, I believe that a two-year internship could provide scholars with more comprehensive experience and opportunities for development. An extended period would allow for more in-depth proposal development, greater involvement in departmental activities, and additional time to work on publications.
This extended timeframe could significantly enhance the learning and professional growth of interns, preparing them more thoroughly for their future careers in academia.
Kukhanyile Mali
NESP Scholar, UWC
I became part of the Nurturing Emerging Scholars Program (NESP) in 2021. I appreciate the financial support from the NESP scholarship particularly with my living and accommodation expenses. Additionally, an allowance for electronic devices assisted me procure a device that I am using to this day for my PhD.
The Scholarship had funding for several developmental opportunities both domestic and international. Unfortunately, I was unable to exploit any of these opportunities. My masters and PhD had a unique focus on South African infrastructure, and I would have loved an opportunity to engage with scholars about the importance of infrastructure development. More importantly, travelling and observing how other countries with more efficient infrastructure have managed to unlock and sustain economic development and growth was an area of particular interest.
My academic internship began in 2023. As an intern, I had several responsibilities that added to my personal and professional development and I was also assigned a mentor who guided me throughout the year. I was appointed as the lecturer for first-year Microeconomics and second-year Mathematical economics. Conducting assessments, simplifying difficult concepts for students and finding creative ways to deliver content to a new generation of students was exciting. Other responsibilities included having to supervise two (2) honours students, assisting with the planning of the May inter-varsity Postgraduate mini conference, a two-day curriculum advice duty to students end of January, and writing the Economics department quarterly newsletters. At the mini-conference, I presented my PhD proposal titled South African Infrastructure Development: potential partners, risks and growth prospects.
