Make NAPP compulsory, say participants

Enjoyable: VC Dr Max Price shares a joke with NAPP participants at a recent cocktail function.

It's understandable that year in year out, participants of UCT's New Academic Practitioners Programme (NAPP) are calling for the initiative to be made compulsory, not only to new academics, but to all scholars.

Described by some as an "eye-opener" to the academic life, the programme, now in its eighth year, has given them a sense of belonging, strengthened their teaching skills and boosted their confidence, they said at a recent cocktail function for current NAPP 'students' and graduates, hosted by vice-chancellor Dr Max Price.

NAPP is a year-long orientation programme run by the Centre for Higher Education Development for newly appointed academics, with particular emphasis on teaching and research development.

"I have been here for two years now, and after attending this programme I feel settled and very confident in my teaching," testified Olufunke Alaba of the Health Economics Unit.

But whether to make it a must-do for all academics is still an ongoing debate.

Price noted that the popularity of the programme is testimony of its success. He urged participants to serve as role models for students by passing on attributes other than good technical skills, including ethical behavior, active citizenship and social justice.