Mpumalanga University Educational Philosophy & Graduate Attributes
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
The University of Mpumalanga, as a comprehensive University, understands that its academic project must combine both the creation and transfer of knowledge and skills, and the development of students as independent and critical thinkers with a passion for knowledge and its application.
Our teaching is theoretically informed, pedagogically appropriate, and sensitive to diversity in all its forms in the educational environment. Our teaching will emphasize the interconnectedness of teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and engagement. The development of our qualifications and curricula will be context sensitive. Our curricula and extra curricula activities will expose students to different ways of knowing and to the value of Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
Our academic staff is reflective and reflexive practitioners who use information communication technologies to improve learning, which will occur in a diverse range of formal and informal settings. Development programmes for academic staff and student support programmes will support a broadening of access, with increased levels of student success.
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
Our graduates will be (or have):
Resourceful, Responsive and Responsible: capable of self-directed, life-long learning; authentic research-led enquiry; who are motivated, conscientious and self-sufficient individuals capable of substantial independent work, who set aspirational goals for continuing personal, professional, and career development.
Sound Discipline Knowledge: who understand and respect the values, theoretical principles, ethical aspects, methods and limitations of their discipline; and who possess discipline-relevant professional or vocational or academic knowledge, skills and competencies.
Innovative and Entrepreneurial: who are intellectually curious, independent, creative and critical thinkers who are able to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills to the solution of novel as well as routine problems for sustainable development.
Confident and Effective Communicators: who are able to engage meaningfully with a range of diverse audiences.
Ethically and Socially Aware Change Agents: who are socially aware and ethically inclined, to bring about change.
Adaptable: having an understanding of their discipline within dynamically changing, inter and multi-disciplinary contexts; respond flexibly and adapt their skills and knowledge to excel in new situations.