Deputy Vice-Chancellor and University of the Western Cape Director Earn Prestigious Women in Leadership Awards
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has earned massive bragging rights at one of the most prestigious events for women in higher education. Higher Education Resources Services – South Africa (HERS-SA) has recognised UWC’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor José Frantz, and Director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families, and Society (CISCFS), Professor Nicolette Roman.
CISCFS is located in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences. Prof Roman is also the South African Research Chair in the Study of Families.
HERS-SA a non-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement and leadership development of women in higher education. In September the NPO held its inaugural awards evening that saw Prof Frantz and Prof Roman win awards in their respective categories.
The awards recognise nationally the achievement of women who lead, inspire, and motivate those in and outside their institutions to be more and do more.
Nominees were put through their paces and had to undergo several preliminary stages that included securing peer and student motivational reviews.
Following several rounds of elimination, the number of nominees were whittled down to a few finalists in seven categories.
These categories included: Women in Humanities and Social Science; Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Emerging Young Women Leaders; Lifetime Achiever; Humanitarian; Trailblazer; and, Women in Academic Administration.
Prof Frantz was recognised for capacitation health professionals to make a meaningful impact on the health of South African society. Over the years, her commitment to human capacity development is reflected in the number of Master’s and PhD students she has supervised, with dozens who have converted their work to publications. Prof Frantz was named as the overall winner in the category, Women in Academic Administration.
She credits her win to her wide counsel of support and her passion for mentoring the next generation.
“The whole journey of capacitation of others is part of what I live for, is part of what I do and is part of the continuous conversation in my house and in the professional space. My direction in life and journey is grounded by my faith; my spiritual journey as well as my professional journey operate alongside each other. The balance between that is important to me, ” said Prof Frantz.
Professor Roman was the winner in the category, Women in Humanities and Social Science, and was recognised for her work for developing the field of family science. The development of this field has largely been through strengthening the capacity of students and early career research both locally and internationally. She believes that to be honoured in the category of women for humanities and social science is not only an accomplishment for her, but for numerous other women who have broken barriers in the quest for knowledge.
“Women are always the ones who are not really recognised. It’s still very male dominated. There is always an idea that women may not get very far in the academic journey. This award clearly shows that women are recognised for going further than what people expect,” said Prof Roman.