Humanities offers moral support

Working together: Noluvuyo Mgomani and Roman Adams were among the students at the Extended Degrees Programme function of the Faculty of Humanities.

Academic support programmes are a lifeline for many students, the difference between success and failure.

Just before the recent end-of-year exams, first-year students on the Extended Degree Programmes (EDP) of the Faculty of Humanities - four-year, instead of three-year, bachelors of arts and social science degrees - enjoyed drinks, snacks and a final pep talk.

In her address to the students, delivered in fluent isiXhosa, the faculty's academic development programme co-ordinator, Associate Professor Kathy Luckett, outlined the objective behind the cocktail event: to thank the mentors for their labours (for which they receive no payment), and to wish the EDP students well for the exams.

The additional year on the EDP allows students access to dedicated mentors as well as the time and support to settle into the demands of student life at UCT.

"University can be very difficult," said film and media student Roman Adams. "However, the EDP programme is very useful in terms of motivating us and helping us to become more confident in our abilities. Because of the resources available to me here, I know that I am going to make it."