Exceptional female leaders

Nozipho Dlamini is an alumna of the Department of Mining Engineering, where she also obtained her honours degree, followed by a master’s degree in Technology Management from the Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM). She is currently a Technical Services Manager at one of South Africa’s most productive underground coal mines, Anglo American’s Greenside Colliery.

Dlamini believes in contributing to the development of the industry, and in 2020 was proud to be appointed the first female Vice-President of the South African Colliery Managers Association (SACMA) – a professional body for managers in the South African coal-mining industry. Through all of her success, the University of Pretoria holds a special place in her heart, and she is always willing to serve the institution. It is therefore with great pride that she accepted two high-profile advisory positions in 2020 to support the University and the Faculty. The first was as a member of the Board of the University’s Convocation, where she acts in an advisory capacity on alumni matters for the University, as well as for the Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The second was as a member of the Mining Engineering Advisory Board, which comprises leaders from industry and academia who advise the Department of Mining Engineering on industry trends to keep its programmes relevant and highly recognised.

Zakkiya Khan, a lecturer in the Interior Architecture Programme in the Department of Architecture, has been appointed to serve on a global educational policy taskforce for the International Federation of Interior Architects/ Designers (IFI).

The IFI is the global voice and authority for professional interior architects and designers. It is the singular international federating body for organisations in these professions. The IFI acts as a global forum for the exchange and development of knowledge and experience in worldwide education, research and practice. It connects the international community to further the impact, influence and application of the design of interiors, promote global social responsibility and raise the status of the profession worldwide.

The special global educational policy taskforce will formulate a current interiors education stance worthy of the evolution of the interiors discipline. With extended community input into various stages of this initiative, the taskforce members will take charge of drafting a refreshed education policy document. This up-to-date education policy will be further employed as the basis for the evaluation of future curricula and the accreditation of interior architecture and design education programmes, as and when applicable.

Participation in the taskforce is a prestigious activity and an endorsement of the Faculty’s Interior Architecture Programme. As an educational member of the IFI, the Department of Architecture ensures that students of interior architecture receive a globally relevant, quality education.