This office is primarily responsible for the coordination of Student Services Divisional Projects and Research whilst also promoting Specialised Reporting for the Division
Projects
Projects are coordinated relating to improving efficiency and effectiveness of the Division through multi-stakeholder collaboration. These projects serve to enhance Divisional outcomes as well as the student experience.
Some of the related Projects included:
- Student Life Cycle Project (2018)
This is a Four phased project geared towards enhancing student experience at UKZN. The four phases entails, Transition from Secondary School to University Registration, Academic Life, Student Life and Graduation and life thereafter. This is a large scale multi-collaborative project with various University leadership stakeholders as well as Student leadership.
- Co-curricular Record
This project is centered on developing a co-curricular record for students which is a strategic non-academic equivalent of the Academic Record and reflects a range of substantial co-curricular participations and initiatives of students per academic year of study. This is in line with the Student Services’ aim to contribute to the holistic development of students as well-rounded, competent, innovative and socially responsible global citizens and leaders.
- Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (2016- 2018)
Coordination of grant given by Department of Higher Education to improve physical access for students with Disabilities (in collaboration with the Disability Support Unit (UKZN)).
- Social Cohesion Project (2020 to current)
This Project entailed aligning with the National Strategic Plan of Social Cohesion at a University Level. A Social Cohesion model was developed and positioned. Ongoing projects and initiatives to be aligned to the model across the institution.
- Student Experience Project (2023- 2032)
Multiple Divisional and Institutional Projects in alignment to the Student Services Divisional Strategic Plan focusing on Goal 2 of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Student Experience)
Research
Various ground level research is conducted from a Student Services perspective as to gain insight to student related issues and inform respective strategies.
Some of the research related activities included:
- Inaugural Disability Support Research Indaba (2015) and Disability Support Research Indaba (2016, 2017)
- Inaugural HIV/AIDS Research Indaba (2016)
- HIV/AIDS Behavioural Research study (2016) –Behavioural- Prevention and HCT- 90 90 90 – 001 – Attitudinal, mindset and behavioural change for University Students: Promoting the increase of Testing and Prevention in relation to HIV and AIDS
- Food and Hygiene Security study – 001 (2018) – Status, Impact and Implications: Food and Hygiene insecurity amongst students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
- Siyaphumelela 3.0 Action Research (2024- current) – Action Research Liaison / Representation of the Division in the University-Wide Siyaphumelela 3.0 Action Research Project
- Divisional evaluations and statistics for monitoring and improvement.
This Office also deals with:
- Divisional Policy coordination
- Model and Framework development
- Statistics
- Process improvement
- Divisional documents/reporting/publications
- Strategic facilitation and planning
Contact:
This Office is coordinated by Dr. Sachin Suknunan
(In addition, Dr. Suknunan also serves as an Academic Supervisor to both Masters and PHD students at various Schools at UKZN thereby contributing to UKZN research output)
