Reshaping attitudes towards learning
- Wits University
Early-career academics teaching undergraduate levels embrace their role in helping students move from memorising facts to integrated learning.
The Department of Physiology’s Academic Support Programme has long been a pillar of student success. However, in recent years, it has found fresh energy and renewed purpose through the dedicated leadership of two dynamic young academics - Tiiso Maluleke and Siluleko (S’lu) Mkhize (left - right).
Tiiso and Siluleko joined the team three years ago to coordinate and run the programme. They embraced and stepped into their roles with enthusiasm, empathy, and a clear vision to make learning more accessible. They both engage with the second-year physiology students in a way that makes it enjoyable and empowering, further reshaping their attitude towards learning.
Tiiso holds a Masters in Medicine specialising in Physiology from Wits. She teaches Physiology and Medical Biochemistry support lectures to second-year students enrolled for Bachelor of Sciences degree, who are taking physiology for the first time. She says this is a role that she takes to heart as it is an influential and formative stage of their academic journey. “I see this as a pivotal transition; from memorising facts to truly understanding and applying biological principles in a more integrated and critical way,” she explains.
She says that the course is also crucial in teaching students to think like scientists, healthcare professionals, and problem solvers, enhancing the clinical relevance of the curriculum.
“Their understanding of how the body functions equips them to enhance patient care, contribute to drug development, and support clinical decision-making,” she adds.
Dedicated to building leaders. Tiiso’s goal is to train students who will drive innovation as entrepreneurs, inform health policy by translating scientific evidence into effective strategies and lead clinical research.
Another emerging academic is Siluleko, a PhD candidate and Masters (Family Medicine) graduate. He teaches second-year medical students and those in science (BSc) and allied health professions (nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and physiotherapy).
Helping students understand physiology is critical, he says. “Physiology also sharpens analytical and critical thinking skills, as students learn to interpret complex biological processes and apply them to real-world clinical scenarios,” says Siluleko.
He says beyond clinical roles, he wants to see his students pursue impactful careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, public health, and health education.
Under the guidance of Tiiso and Slu, the programme has not only maintained its foundational goals but expanded its impact. 雷速体育_雷速体育直播s speak of renewed confidence, improved performance, and a deeper appreciation for the subject. This appreciation expressed by students stems from the approachable, student-centred ethos that both Tiiso and Slu bring to their work.