University of Fort Hare Grounding Programme
The University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape, which boasts Nelson Mandela among its alumni, is committed to maximising the potential of the 120 students in its Grounding Programme and ensuring a bright future for its graduates.
The current Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mvuyo Tom, would like for the university to achieve recognition as a centre representing Mr Mandela’s ideals, with the emphasis on dialogue, leadership, community engagement and social justice.
Over 2007 and 2008, Dr Tom introduced the Grounding Programme at the university, with the aim of effectively orientating students and involving the surrounding community in as many ways as possible.
The programme took a big step in late 2008, when Dr Andre Keet, a respected leader in the field of human rights, was formally appointed to the management team.
A large part of the programme requires students to provide content for their own curriculum and debate the programme’s pedagogy.
For Mr Mandela’s 90th birthday in 2008, students organised the first “Curriculum Jamboree”, where students and academics gather to engage in discussions, poetry sessions and debates. This is aimed at creating an understanding of issues such as gender, African identity, democracy, globalisation and self-expression.
The purposes of the Grounding Programme include:
- Providing UFH undergraduates with a better understanding of themselves and the world they live in.
- Providing students with an understanding of democracy and liberation.
- Providing students with the confidence to live dynamic and creative lives.
- Helping students to make the most of the opportunities provided by the university.
- Contributing to the advancement of the mission, vision and strategic objectives of UFH.
