A longer walk, a deeper breath

More pedal power

There are about 4 000 formal parking bays at our university’s North and South campuses. Between 7000 and 9000 cars visit these campuses daily.

This means there can be twice as many cars for the spaces available (though there are many designated grass areas too) …

And this, in turn, means we can expect to have a couple of disgruntled customers as proved to be the case for a third-year student who shared his parking frustrations via a letter in the local Herald newspaper. He’d been unable to find parking anywhere and then to add insult to injury was fined for parking where he eventually did find a spot.

So yes, parking is at a premium, just as it is at most of South Africa’s urban universities. (As an aside, the University of Cape uses some kind of lottery system to distribute its meager parking spoils).

But here’s the deal with NMMU.

NMMU wants to cut back on the number of cars visiting its campuses. It wants to try to reduce its carbon footprint and instill a "green approach” among its students.

That’s why the university is encouraging lift clubs, offers a free inter-campus shuttle system and suggests students use public transport – buses or taxis – instead.

It is also hoping to introduce a bicycle rental system on campus too – again in a bid to reduce the university’s carbon footprint. Bicycles may not be quicker or suitable for the rain and wind, but they’re good for your health and cheaper on the pocket.

There’s been a definite increase in the number of cyclists to campus and it’s something we should embrace.

A number of staff member are also using solar powered bicycles and scooters to move between campuses.

As we adjust to this new green way of thinking, and especially doing, let’s take a deep breath as we scout for parking (I am talking to myself here).

Let’s take a deep breath, build in some extra time and enjoy a good old stroll to the lecture hall. After all, we’re on a nature reserve – a privilege we sometimes forget as we rant about a lack of parking.

Let’s hear your voice

Lifeatnmmu is Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s blog. It’s here, as indicated by the blog’s name, that we unashamedly share insights into life at our new generation university.

From monkeys making a nuisance of themselves to students who personify excellence, the range of subjects under the university spotlight is vast. But generally those views only come from yours truly – an on-the-payroll middle management employee.

And so, in the interest of diversity and a wider range of subject matter, we want to give staff and students an opportunity to share their insights and experiences on this blog.

Yes, we’re opening up this platform in cyberspace to your pen … (and we’ve already had more than 1.1million views).

The opportunity comes with a couple of provisos:

• The blog must have relevance to NMMU, and preferably be directly linked to the institution
• The blog should be upbeat in nature (we’re here to grow one another). Even in negative situations, you can have a positive approach by offering constructive criticism
• The blog must be well-written and not longer than 650 words
• The blog must be accompanied by a head and shoulders photograph of yourself and an image or three that illustrates the topic of your blog

So let’s hear from you.

Let’s hear about your field trips; your eccentric lecturer; your experiences at a sports event; your response to NMMU’s values; your take on student life; your insights on the shuttle service; your feelings about sharing space with nature; your commentary on NMMU’s research, engagement, teaching and learning or anything associated with NMMU; your version of what it means to be a Madibaz; your feedback on negotiating parking space at NMMU …

In short, your opinion!

If you’d like your blog considered, please mail it to derry@nmmu.ac.za

Let’s hear your voices too.

Meeting the maths challenge

Maths was never my strong point. But I recognised its importance and thankfully was blessed with great teachers, which meant I was able to comfortably pass maths in my final matric year.

Not so for the majority of South African learners, and especially those living in rural backwaters in the Eastern Cape. The province’s dismal maths results speak for themselves.

The national 2014 matric results for mathematics, mathematics literacy and physical science were worse than in 2013, and those results were even worse in our province, which has traditionally always trailed the rest of the country. In fact, we are bottom of the class on a global scale.

Ouch! I cry.

Opportunity! cried Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

Yes, here’s an opportunity for the university to apply its research and give back to the society it serves.

So enter the Govan Mbeki Maths Development Unit (GMMDU) and a group of committed mathematicians who are determined to become part of the solution. They’ve been rolling out various initiatives aimed at both teachers and learners throughout our province for several years but are now able to seriously able to extend their efforts thanks to a R3.6-m donation from Old Mutual.

Seeking solutations ... Old Mutual's Nceba Papuma and Marshall Rapiya,
 and NMMU's Prof Werner Olivier and Prof Andrew Leitch 

As a result, 18 rural high schools in the Bhisho area will receive a maths and science boost in the form of an extensive offline programme that is aligned to the national curriculum.

The two-year project using tablets and other technological aids is being run in collaboration with the province’s Department of Basic Education.

And that’s another big plus about this Maths and Science Development Project – it’s not about one group working in isolation but about various players coming together to seek solutions. It’s about each one playing its part and working together to ensure that two plus two does not make five, but that it all makes sense.

Personally, this is the kind of research I enjoy best – real research offering real solutions.

About 2 500 learners from grades 10 to 12 will be assisted in this project – a drop in the ocean, but a start nonetheless.

The initiative recognises the education challenges that South Africa faces – under-resourced schools, teachers who lack the relevant maths and science skills and a lack of access to information. It’s a technology-based approach (this, after all, is the screenager generation) that offers lessons, science laboratory videos, old exam papers and self-tests. With each project that the GMMDU rolls out it makes improvements in its bid to better harness the potential of learners and ensure that their maths and science marks improve.

And while the learners are learning, NMMU will be learning too since it has a PhD project on the go examining the use of tablets and their impacts in terms of the expectations of modern learners.

Surely this is a win-win situation?

The proof will come with time - with the matric results.

Pandemonium in Parliament: the real state of the nation

Guest blogger and NMMU student Rashied Adams shares his insights on last week's pandemonium in Parliament

Last week I witnessed how our Parliament collapsed and how the Constitution was not the supreme law of our country. Pandemonium in Parliament was the result of guarding one man, the Head of State.

I was seated in the Gallery of the National Assembly, alongside guests of honour, including former presidents FW de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki. We sat and waited patiently for the President to arrive into the Chamber and ultimately deliver his State of the Nation Address.

Before the President arrived, I secretly tried to use my cell phone (as we were banned from doing so in the Gallery) to do some social media updates. Many students back at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) asked me to do some live updates.

As I managed to secretly operate my cell phone, I realised that there was no signal in the Chamber and I thought to myself, not now stupid cell phone! The guests next to me told me that they too did not have any signal on their cell phones. I had the crazy thought of Parliament somehow disconnecting our cell phone signals – then I thought, no ways! That only happens in action movies.

I then heard a group of journalists in the Gallery starting to chant “bring back the signal” and eventually the whole Chamber started chanting the same thing while waving their cell phones. Then it struck, this is real! Parliament has jammed our signals.

The Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Mmusi Maimane stood up and firmly requested from the Speaker that the signal should be restored immediately. The man justified his request with legislature – signal jamming is illegal.

And in no time, there was signal.

It was nearly time for President Jacob Zuma to address the nation.

The entire nation expected some out of order behaviour from the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) Members of Parliament, as they have made the nation aware that they intend to disrupt the President’s address if he does not answer their number one question: when will he (President Jacob Zuma) pay back a portion of the taxpayers’ money that was used for upgrades to his Nkandla home.

Guests in the Gallery were anticipating the EFF’s disruption. The President finally made his way to the podium to deliver an address that the whole nation awaited. With some technical difficulties – his microphone was cut, surprisingly; he eventually started with his address by greeting the nation.

A few minutes into the speech, it happened, the EFF raised a point of order and that is where I thought, this is it – pandemonium.

The Gallery was heated up; it seemed as if guests were watching a new-release movie. The Speaker requested the President to stop speaking and she noted the order. The inevitable question from the EFF followed and was supressed from the Speaker in all ways possible. Leader of the EFF, Honourable Julius Malema then raised and also spoke on the question. The Speaker then asked the Sergeant-at-Arms to usher three EFF Members of Parliament, including Hon. Malema out of the Chamber. This is where the real pandemonium started.

EFF Members guarded their leader and the Sergeant-at-Arms could not do anything. I was shocked at the outbreak, it was ugly and undignified.

Things got a lot worse when the ‘Parliamentary Security’ was called in to forcefully remove all EFF Members of Parliament – do note that not all EFF members were asked to leave the Chamber. The security rushed in from all doors, wearing white shirts and dragged EFF members on the floor, over benches and out of the Chamber. The EFF members did not go down without a fight; they took of their red characteristic builder hats and beat the security guards in their faces. There was chaos in the Chamber.

The Parliamentary TV feed was cut and the nation could not see what was going on. The security guards removed all EFF members, with a thrashed Chamber – benches broken, hats on the floor, water bottles all over the show and an audience of esteemed members of society left in awe. The President seemed quite fine with the outbreak. In fact, his ANC guests and ANC Members of Parliament cheered loudly after the last fighter was pulled out of the Chamber.

The Chief Justice of our country left the Chamber immediately.

I witnessed history right there; the State of the Nation Address was interrupted for the very first time and some Members of Parliament were illegally dragged out of the Chamber and beaten up at the Speakers command.

This was a great violation to the Constitution of our country.

It was then when the Leader of the Opposition stood up and heroically took charge of a state of emergency. Honourable Maimane asked the Speaker whether those guards were police officers or not and she did not know how to answer him, until she said that the Parliamentary Security was assisted by security forces, which indeed was the SAPS. Some of the guards were armed in the Chamber. The Speaker right there violated the Constitutional principle of separation of powers.

It is dangerous for one arm of government to intimidate and overpower another, the independence of Parliament was infringed.

It was chaotic in Parliament; an uneasy atmosphere had spread across benches and seats in the Gallery.

The Leader of the Opposition then led his caucus out of the Chamber in a very principled and orderly fashion. The Speaker said that if they had left, they will do it as a party. It is then when DA Party Leader, Helen Zille also stood up from the bench where Premiers of Provinces were seated, to accompany the DA Members of Parliament. At that very moment, I stood up, as a DA member from one of the best seats in the House and led the DA guests out of the Gallery through door number five of the National Assembly.

The Democratic Alliance left as it would not support the Speaker taking the law into her own hands. Her behaviour and ‘ruling’ was unconstitutional.

We assembled in the foyer of the National Assembly and the big door to the outside of the House was opened for us to leave. The media was all over, taking photographs and ready to get statements from the DA.

Outside were EFF members, bruised and full of blood as a result of being manhandled by the SAPS.

Last night was a turning point in our democracy – the ANC will break the law to protect one man, they will rule unjustly to protect one man, they will put loyalty above the rights of South Africans.

How constitutional was the signal jamming, cutting the live TV feed, the forceful removal of Members of Parliament who was not even asked to leave the Chamber, bringing armed police officers into the Chamber and beating up Members of Parliament?

Parliament is in a crisis under the leadership of the ANC.

Bicycle rental system wanted

Austin Johnson is an advocate for pedal power for students

Meet Austin.

Austin Johnson is an American who’s at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) to complete a short internship.

He needs accommodation, certain text books, access to university facilities and transport. He hadn’t thought the latter would be a problem. After all, where he comes from public transport is readily available and bicycles are easy to rent.

Not so in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS) introduced prior to the 2010 Football World Cup has been a disaster and bicycles are readily available to purchase but not to rent.

“The university needs a bicycle rental system,” says Austin, who is completing his internship toward a Masters of Science degree in College Counselling and Student Development from St Cloud University in Minnesota.

Agreed.

Given the price of petrol (though thankfully car owners are all feeling a little wealthier after two recent decent drops in the petrol price) and the university’s drive towards seeking renewable energy solutions, NMMU should be firmly in the saddle, leading the peloton in pedal power for all students.

There’s been talk of introducing an inter-campus bicycle system – as is practiced in tourist cities and universities around the globe – but it’s still only talk.

And conversely that’s why Austin is now the proud temporary owner of a near-new mountain bike.

He is now using a bicycle donated to the scheme (the one that is still only being spoken about) by a Norwegian exchange student last year. Amanda had read about the proposed rental system and donated her bike so that other students did not have to go through the inconvenience and expense of tracking down and buying a bicycle for a short stay like she had.

Rather than let her bicycle continue to gather dust, our office opted to loan the bike to him. His 40-minute walk is now a hapless five-minute ride.

Austin’s happy and we’re happy to see someone getting some use from Amanda’s goodwill gesture.

But we’d all be happier still if NMMU stopped talking and started doing – and made a bicycle rental system between North, South and Second Avenue a reality.

Don’t you agree?

Triple the joy

Only the cream-of-the-academic-cream is awarded the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. These are the youngsters who not only get straight A’s for their final matric marks, but are among the top academic achievers in the country. An average of 85% should do it.

An average of 85.1% did it for Deon Beauzec – just.

Yes, that’s how clever the 25 Vice-Chancellor’s Scholars are …

But few are likely to be as kind as Deon who has opted to share his R82 742-a-year bursary with his sibling, Michael, especially since the twin brothers and their parents do not have the means to fund their studies.

Michael and Deon Boezec

Deon’s windfall will now cover both boys’ tuition as they tackle a three-year BSc Chemistry degree.

Besides, Michael’s average mark for matric was none too shabby either at 83.5%.

And, according to Deon, his brother might have beaten him. It’s as they have done throughout their school careers – shared academic awards or taken it in turns to outdo the other.

“Not for one moment did I think about keeping it for myself. We have never competed. We just try to support one another,” says Deon.

This is also why the boys forewent their favourite past-time of soccer in 2014 so that they could concentrate on their studies as they were both hoping to find spots at a medical school.

Sadly, for them, they were not accepted.

Fortunately for us, both boys can pursue a degree and then be first in the queue for the new general medical practitioner degree that NMMU hopes to begin in 2018. (The university has already introduced a number of medically-related programmes as part of its ‘bottom-up’ approach to establishing a fully-fledged Medical School by 2020 – but more of this in subsequent blogs).

“We’d like to study medicine here. After we heard about the approach, we’re keen on enrolling for medicine here.”

That approach is one of building a medical school that responds to the real needs of South Africa, particularly within the public health domain.

And both boys are set on serving society.

It’s just who they are.

Like their sisters, Bianca, who is a teacher at an underprivileged township school, and Simone, who works as a radiographer in a state hospital, they are intent on helping others.

“It’s not something that can be taught. It’s just been a way of life for us,” says Michael.

So not only are these boys brainy. They’re kind too. And they’re committed to being part of the solution when it comes to health care in South Africa.

That's triple the joy for us!

The secret for a successful stay at university

Guest blogger ... NMMU student
Rashied Adams

You have just been admitted into a university and have a dream of becoming a teacher, scientist, lawyer, medical doctor, etc. The sad reality is that your dream could just remain a mere dream.

How does one succeed academically at university?

Firstly, establish the fact that your qualification you have registered for comes with promotion rules and criteria. Familiarise yourself with these rules and criteria from the word go; because it is possible to be academically excluded from your faculty.

What does this mean?

It means that if you have not passed a certain amount of modules for the year, you may not be allowed back into the programme the following year. These rules vary from university to university. You can get this information in your Faculty Prospectus or Faculty Yearbook.

Secondly, attend all lecturers – this is how you learn.

Thirdly, make notes in lectures, in a way that you understand. You can never make too many notes!

Fourthly, every evening at your residence before you retire for the day, just read once over the work you have covered for the day. It is as easy as that. This makes studying before the exams so much easier.

Fifthly, manage your time properly; have a schedule in your diary where you have time for studying, reading and assignments.

Lastly, take responsibility and know your primary reason for being at university – to get your qualification. Only you can make it happen!

Work hard, before you know it, you will be kneeling before the Chancellor on graduation day and your dream will become reality.

The difference is in the 'umph!'

Guest blogger ...
Student intern Khanyisa Melwa

As the beginning of the academic year draws near, I’d like to extend my heartiest welcome to both the first year and senior students of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMM). Do you guys have the “umph” to make this a great year?

I’m sure words like “assignment” and “test” have become something of a distant memory to most of you, but don’t fret, academia is near!

You will have seen or heard that we, as a university, are celebrating our 10th year. Our 10th year as a new generation university since the coming together of three separate institutions, namely: The University of Port Elizabeth, PE Technikon and Vista University. With this in mind, it is important that we take stock of what it means to be an NMMU student in 2015.

Being a part of a comprehensive university such as NMMU is a privilege, one we should never take for granted. Here, we are afforded the opportunity to make a difference in society with courses that meet both immediate industry and societal needs.

As our namesake once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

How are you going to use your qualification to change the world?

Ponder on this.

Suffice to say that without goals, one is merely day-dreaming; wandering aimlessly in a fast-paced world of #Hashtags and selfies. I urge you to draw up a list of goals at the beginning of this academic year and be resolute in achieving these.

In the same breath, it would be incorrect in both logic and principle to speak about goals without any mention of excellence, as it is one of our institutional values. It only makes sense that we continually endeavour to live out each of our values – respect for diversity, excellence, Ubuntu, integrity, respect for the environment and taking responsibility.

A key NMMU value

It is also imperative that we strive for excellence in everything that we do; because that’s what gives us the competitive edge. That’s the difference between being good and being great, and fortunately, mediocrity is not in our DNA as Madibaz. That would be an indictment of Nelson Mandela’s character, the man whose name we so proudly carry.

So remember this fellow Madibaz, the difference between “try” and “triumph” is that little “umph”.

What it means to be 10

Always reason to celebrate ... 

That’s us. We’re 10. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) is a decade old!

And like most ten-year-olds we’re on the cusp of something bigger as we enter our tweens, and then fully-fledged adulthood as a university deserving of recognition.

But for now we’re ten. We’ve survived the knocks, bumps and bruises of childhood. We’ve scraped our knees a few times and even suffered a bloody nose for a serious lapse in behaviour. However, for the most part, we’ve relished our childhood and learnt to handle ourselves without too much help.

We’ve won a few prizes along the way, established some life-long friendships, built some pretty imposing sandcastles (have you seen all our new buildings?) and, for the most part, we’re appreciative of what we’ve received.

We’re pretty independent by now; we can stand on our own two feet and hold our head high.

But we’re only ten. And when you’re ten, parties and celebrations are still big on the lifestyle agenda. We like it when we can get together with friends to recognise special occasions.

That is why NMMU is lining up as many as ten different occasions for celebration – starting on Tuesday 10 February.

On that day staff and students are being invited to take stock, and come up with a personal list of 10 things they would like to achieve during NMMU’s big birthday year. (You can find a branded A4 sheet for this on the following link )

The list is aimed at motivating staff and students for an exciting year ahead and for giving everyone direction. The ten goals can be personal, institutional or a combination of both.

So what are your ten goals for 2015?

We’d like to celebrate our first decade on the 10th day of every month (well, at least the ones that fall in the week and outside of university holidays) and are seeking celebratory ideas – things that bring folk together and involve our values of respect for the natural environment, integrity, excellence, respect for diversity and Ubuntu.

In the interim, however, apart from your list of goals for 2015 with everything from “walking three times a week” to “starting to study again”, we’re bringing on a little music.

AlgoaFM – one of those with whom we have built a friendship – will be bringing their festive sounds to the Kraal on South Campus from 10am on Tuesday, 10 February. During their outside broadcast they will also witness the symbolic release of balloons by members of our Student Representative Council (SRC) to celebrate our first ten years.

Well, we’re ten, aren’t we? And we still like balloons too.

Happy birthday NMMU!

Is this you? A tech-savvy, future-focused, mature Millennial …

Colour blurs with today's Millennials

I’m confused. I’m a Baby Boomer, born after the Second World, who inherited many of the traits of that generation. We’re self-starters; mostly independent and responsible for ourselves. We get on and do.

Now meet the Millennials – today’s student generation, aged 18 to 34. Who are you?

At Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), you are our number one stakeholder, or to put it very simply, the reason why we exist. Without students, we would not be here.

And so it’s pretty darn important that the old-timers among us (the Baby Boomers, the Silent Generation before us and Generation X after us) understand just what makes you tick.

If I have done my research correctly, you’re pretty chilled when it comes to gender (blurring), modern families, race and with living alongside gran and gramps.

You believe in causes; endeavour to be ethical; are mature; seek solutions and sustainable values.

But you also, if what the experts are saying is true, like to set yourself apart with your lifestyle, the way you dress and even where and when you go on holiday. You like to volunteer and share, be it online or materially. This comes naturally to you.

You aren’t in a hurry to marry or have children and you have developed some excellent life skills just because of the period in which you have lived (a recession).

The Millennials or Generation Y  are set on seeking solutions

What amazes me most about you, however, is your ability to handle technology, lots of it, all at once. You can use five screens; think in 4D and not just multi-task, but hyper-task. Apparently, the latter has seen your brains evolve to process more information at even greater speeds.

Now that’s fairly frightening for someone who methodically likes to do one thing at a time, but we’re willing to try to understand you. Furthermore, I’d like to vouch that the Baby Boomer Generation and Generation X (aged 34 to 54) are all at pains to meet your needs (you are, after all, either in or about to enter the workplace and earn the stuff that makes the world go around - money).

So we’ll be trying to reach and inspire you as marketers by:

· Talking to you in images

· Keeping our communication tight and bright

· Talking to you as adults

· Tapping into your entrepreneurial spirit (come on, we want to help you find solutions to all the stuff we messed up – like our environment)

· Feeding your curiosity and

· Asking for your guidance

Yes, I am asking for your guidance. How do we connect with your generation?

We need your help in marketing to Millennials

Will Instagram and Twitter do it? Or should we showcasing the good deeds of NMMU – the outreach programmes that see borderline maths pupils pass with a distinction for Matric maths or our involvement in seeking renewable energy solutions. Or what? What can we do to ensure that NMMU becomes a university of first choice?

Tell us. Show us. Please be part of sharing the NMMU success story.

And end my confusion.