Unisa Gauteng Region Counselling Unit Clinches Best Conceptual Paper at 44th SAACDHE Conference
At the 44th Southern African Association for Counselling and Development in Higher Education (SAACDHE) Conference, the Unisa Gauteng Region Counselling Unit secured the Best Conceptual Paper award for their paper: “The perceptions and attitudes of students on the intersectionality of languages in higher education”. The team, consisting of Kgomotso Nyamakazi, Administrative Officer (Ekurhuleni Counselling Unit), Diksha Lala, Administrative Officer (Sunnyside Counselling Unit), Gloria Sephula, Administrative Officer (Florida Counselling Unit) and Mampe Phora, UCDP Project Administrator (College of Education) were mentored by Dr Bunki Pitsoane, Head of Counselling (Unisa Gauteng Region) and Dr Tonny Matjila, Research Training and Development Officer (College of Graduate Studies).
Their study explores students’ attitudes toward language use in higher education, focusing on English as a dominant language, the inclusion of indigenous languages and the role of multilingualism. They also highlight challenges such as comprehension and engagement with academic content. They propose a more inclusive approach to higher education language policy that better reflects South Africa’s diverse linguistic landscape.
The SAACDHE Conference, themed “Riding the wave”, attracted professionals from across Southern Africa to discuss evolving student support services, including mental health services. The Unisa team’s research emphasised the importance of embracing language diversity to enhance student well-being and academic performance. Moipone Masalesa, Regional Director of the Unisa Gauteng Region, praised the team for their achievement: “This award is a testament to the significant contribution the Gauteng Region is making to Unisa’s research agenda. I am proud of our young researchers for their dedication.” Dr Erin Naude thanked Pitsoane and Matjila for mentoring the team. She said: “Their leadership has cultivated a new generation of researchers, and this award reflects their hard work.”
Pitsoane expressed her excitement about the recognition: “This award underscores the importance of mentorship and collaboration. It’s a collective achievement, marking a step toward creating a more inclusive educational environment.”
The SAACDHE Conference continues to serve as a vital platform for student counselling professionals across Southern Africa to share ideas and best practices. The Unisa Gauteng Region team’s award-winning paper contributes to a growing understanding of how language diversity impacts students, further solidifying the region’s role in advancing Unisa’s research mission.