University of Johannesburg (UJ) undergraduate student Ms Nomasonto Nombusa Xaba is one of only 13 students from seven South African universities participating in the Universitas 21 (U21) Health Sciences Global Learning Partnership programme held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 17 April until 14 May 2016.
Ms Xaba studies Optometry at the UJ Faculty of Health Sciences.
“I am inspired and excited to be involved in such a competitive program,” Xaba said. “I am part of a smaller sub-group that is tasked with looking at specific disabilities in communities that are visited, particularly those with visual disabilities.”
The four week competitive programme provides a stimulating and varied program of speakers and workshops, and will promote shared learning and participation from across the network’s universities, cultures and geographical locations.
“I’ve been networking with the other students as well as academics such as Dr. Jessica Lees and Prof Gillian Webb from Melbourne School of Health Sciences,” she added.
Ms Xaba is the first student on an outbound visit from the Department of Optometry and the first in the Faculty of Health Sciences to be part of a Universitas 21 Health Sciences group programme, with guidance, support and encouragement from Mrs Marietjie Richter.
Upon her return after her four week participation she will be invited to provide feedback on the experience and what she learnt.
Universitas 21 (U21) is the leading global network of research-intensive Universities, working to foster global citizenship and institutional innovation through research-inspired teaching and learning, student mobility, connecting its students and staff, and wider advocacy for internationalization.