Cohort Professional Development Programmes

New Academic Practitioners' Programme (NAPP)

Overview

The New Academics’ Practitioners’ Programme (NAPP), our flagship programme for new academics, provides a strong model of contextualised induction for new academics transitioning into higher education.  

 NAPP is a powerful networking opportunity, based on a community of practice model, where new academics collaboratively strategise around teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment issues related to discipline-specific teaching projects. With a keen focus on the higher education classroom in the context of transformation, decolonisation and change, NAPP provides a collegial space to have difficult conversations and to collaboratively strategise around issues of power, privilege, positionality and agency in interactions with peers and students. Participants identify a teaching project to explore as part of a critical reflection journey.  

How it runs

The NAPP programme consists of a two and a half-day residential retreat plus two full-day teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum workshops spread out over a semester. NAPP runs in the first semester and is repeated with a new cohort in the second semester. 

The Established and Seasoned Academic Practitioners’ Programme (ESAPP)

Overview

The Established and Seasoned Academic Practitioners’ Programme (ESAPP) is targeted at enhancing the teaching practices of established or seasoned academics, with a focus on post-graduate teaching and supervision pedagogy. This new programme, launched in 2021, draws on established academics’ strengths, experiences and capacities to further enhance and give substantive shape to academics’ teaching aspirations as post-graduate university teachers and supervisors.

ESAPP focuses on academics who have been in HE/ at UCT for 5-15 years (or longer) and who themselves recognise a need for a ‘refresher course’ on the latest, current and relevant teaching frameworks and curriculum models in relation to post-graduate teaching and supervision pedagogy. 

How it runs 

ESAPP consists of a two-day residential retreat (online or F2F) at the beginning of each year. A cohort of 20 academics will be invited to engage with a series of relevant topics focused on increased contextual and disciplinary understanding and awareness of strategies to exercise their agency in post-graduate teaching and supervision pedagogy. 

The Heads of Department/Division Enhancement Programme (HoDEP)

Overview 

The Heads of Department/Division Enhancement Programme (HoDEP) is a transformative capacity-building initiative designed for middle-level leaders and managers in higher education. Rooted in the theme “Leadership and Management in a 21st Century African Higher Education Context,” the programme equips participants with the skills and knowledge to navigate complex academic, social, and political landscapes. Covering topics such as strategic planning, financial and HR management, conflict resolution, and leadership in teaching, research, and student engagement, HoDEP fosters a collaborative and reflective approach to leadership.

How it runs 

Delivered through interactive workshops, small-group discussions, and reflective activities, the programme culminates in a 2-day residential retreat, offering an immersive environment for collegial interaction and critical dialogue. Held annually, HoDEP is ideal for leaders seeking to enhance their capacity and contribute meaningfully to institutional growth.

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning for Change at UCT Programme (SoTL4Change@UCT) 

Overview

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning for Change at UCT Programme (SoTL4Change@UCT) is designed to elevate and change academic teaching practices across various disciplines through systematic and relevant inquiry into higher education teaching and learning.  

The programme bridges the gap between disciplinary teaching and teaching & learning scholarship to transform the understanding of pedagogy in the current university classroom thus enhancing participants understanding of teaching interventions that aim to achieve this. 

How it runs 

The program runs for one (1) year in a small cohort of 20 participants and includes curated workshops, and personalized support, all geared towards facilitating your SoTL publication journey.