The EMS faculty recently welcomed Prof Ada Jansen (Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching) and Prof Dieter von Fintel (Vice Dean: Research, Postgraduate Affairs and Internationalisation) to the senior leadership of the Faculty.
Both Prof Jansen and Prof von Fintel, from the Department of Economics, expressed their determination to not only make a telling contribution to the Faculty, but to society as a whole.
Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching
Jansen, the former Chair of the Department of Economics, took up her role as Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching on 01 July 2024.
“It is a great honour to be chosen to lead one of the most crucial portfolios within the largest faculty on campus,” said Jansen. “And even though this task is somewhat daunting, I firmly believe that I am in a position where I can make a valuable contribution. Throughout my years in higher education, my professional journey has centred around harnessing ideas and innovations to advance learning and teaching practices. I have always had a keen interest in learning, teaching, and assessment practices and my academic career reflects my commitment to fostering academic excellence, learning and teaching innovation, and student-centred learning.”
She added: “I am also a firm believer that we are all lifelong learners who continuously evolve and adapt to inform better learning, teaching, and assessment theories and practices. Ultimately, everything we do is geared towards advancing our students to undergo a transformative experience that will prepare them for the world of work, and contribute to the well-being of our society.”
As the new Vice Dean Jansen aims to develop and enhance learning, teaching, and assessment practices that will underpin student success.
“Some initiatives that we have commenced with, and plan to expand on, include improved and more holistic academic advising and support services to students. I hope to steer several more initiatives and establish structures to holistically support teaching and learning in our faculty. The aim is to provide students with opportunities to fulfil their potential so that they can contribute at an individual and societal level.”
Vice Dean: Research, Postgraduate Affairs and Internationalisation
Von Fintel was appointed Vice Dean: Research, Postgraduate Affairs and Internationalisation) on 01 August 2024. In addition to his new role, he will continue with his roles at the Research on Socioeconomic Policy (ReSEP) and Laboratory for the Economics of Africa’s Past (LEAP) where he coordinates graduate studies and conducts research.
As the new Vice Dean, he will be responsible for giving strategic impetus to research activities within the Faculty.
“I hope to unlock potential and make many of the activities of our researchers more visible. I would like to create new opportunities, but also synergy between existing research pockets in different environments,” said von Fintel. “A large part of my role is to oversee the process of our PhD education, from admission to graduation. I believe PhD candidates contribute significantly to the research profile of a university but also critically builds the talent pool that promotes economic and societal development in South Africa and the continent. I am also responsible for internationalisation initiatives, giving structure to the collaborative relationships we have in research and teaching with international university partners.”
Von Fintel shared that his role also entails helping emerging researchers to grow in confidence and to find their niche in the research space.
“Academia can be hard when faculty members feel pressure to publish, but do not necessarily feel engaged with their topics. I hope that young researchers will start to find research more stimulating and engaging, and I believe I have a lot to offer in terms of my experience in this regard. For this purpose, I believe we can increase existing synergies and partnerships between established and emerging researchers and across environments.”
He added that he would like the Faculty’s research to be more visible to the rest of the university community and the world at large.
“Why hide good things only in journal articles? Our research can have far more impact in seminars, the media and public discussion. I also intend to look carefully into our PhD and Masters offering and find ways to meet market demands for highly skilled individuals, especially in a changing world of work and a changing higher education landscape. Creating the environment to train graduates to become scholars and skilled practitioners is a central part of my role. An important component that supports all of these activities is to strengthen strategic international relationships to improve collaboration in both research and graduate learning.”
Both Jansen and von Fintel will play a leading role in shaping the Faculty’s activities going forward.
