NMMU George celebrates Women’s Day
NMMU George celebrates Women’s Day with “home-grown” inspiration
Highly intelligent, talented, vibrant, inspirational, emotionally mature, humble and solidly grounded – are just some of the words that come to mind in attempting to describe Prof. Tania Douglas, the keynote speaker who enthralled guests with her captivating talk on “Women in 21st Century Leadership” during a recent NMMU Women’s Day event held at the Hyatt Regency International Hotel in Oubaai.
Dr. Bridget Johnson (Programme Director) commenced the event by warmly welcoming about 40 guests comprised of staff, students plus community members, and amplified the phenomenal role that women play in shaping society. She introduced Prof Douglas, who matriculated at Pacaltsdorp High School where many years ago her father, Dr. Aubrey Douglas, was Principal. Prof. Douglas, who is the current Deputy Dean for Research at the University of Cape Town, shared her experience and views on societal transformation and the role of women in this context.
Picking up on the theme of women empowerment, Prof. Douglas pointed out that despite the constraints of a patriarchal system which had excluded women from many spheres of life in the past, great strides have been made in the professional advancement of women over the past twenty years. Using universities as her point of reference, she indicated that these institutions have a developmental role which should extend beyond teaching and research for its own sake. She emphasised the need for environmental context, social responsiveness and engagement, citing the NMMU George Campus as “an excellent example” of how these principles are applied in educating leaders for sustainable futures.
Prof. Douglas, who has expertise in electrical, electronic and biomedical engineering as well as executive management, explained that innovations in the field of medical devices need to be suitable for local markets, so that they can be implemented. She also indicated that the current academic model does not reward “frugal innovation”, and should do so. International rankings of universities, which affect their reputation, are based on research and publication outputs but disregard context, as well as indicators relating to impact and use.
Prof. Douglas also noted that women contribute a unique richness of different experiences to these varying environments, in which they operate.
A lively question and answer session revealed the positive mindset which has accompanied this outstanding role model on her amazing higher education journey. Prof. Douglas shared with guests that she has always been inspired by a sense of curiosity and eagerness to learn. Moreover, she views life as a suit of choices, rather than sacrifices that need to be made. She advised that it is important for women in the professional world not to be discouraged, but to persevere and have flexible goals. When asked about how she handles obstacles, this community icon smiled and revealed that she simply works hard “to come around them” and always remembers to have some “fun in life”.
Prof. Quinton Johnson, Campus Principal at NMMU George, expressed his delight that the university could catalyse this annual Women’s Day engagement, and encouraged all the delegates to pursue their dreams.
About Prof. Tania Douglas
Prof. Tania Douglas matriculated at Pacaltsdorp High School in the Southern Cape, whereafter she undertook an amazing higher education journey that has culminated in her present appointment as Deputy Dean for Research, at the University of Cape Town since June 2013.
Prof. Douglas completed degrees in electrical, electronic and biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town, Vanderbilt University and the University of Strathclyde where she obtained her PhD in 1999. She then conducted postdoctoral research in image processing at the Japan Broadcasting Corporation in Tokyo. She has been a Junior Associate of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, an Honorary Senior Research Fellow of University College London and a Humboldt Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research in Cologne. She is a Fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering and a Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
Prof. Douglas recently completed an executive MBA at UCT and was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement. She is the Director of the MRC/UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit and a Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Human Biology. As a professional, she continues to be concerned with education and research that promotes the contextually appropriate use of technology, to address an important array of public health challenges.
Poem by Nombuyiselo Anthea Duma
Title: The fly woman within
She cries announces to the world her arrival
she cries for the loved ones she’s had to let go
She cries tears of joy at the first sound of her new born
she is the woman within
let her cry for her tears bring healing
her fears rooted deep in self doubt
born with no surname
nor a mother to learn from
her epiphany…love and truth begin with self
constantly told she cannot be
…when it is her light they fear most
she is the woman within
and she does not fear loving unconditionally
She labours
first to rise and last to rest
teacher in good faith with no credentials
domestic; nurse; a career woman
my super woman
unappreciated and undervalued, at high demand
she is the women within
and labours tirelessly for her loved ones
experiences of betrayals
…a father who denied her
mother left her for another husband
husband gave her children from friends
church shamed her for separating from abuse
she is the woman within
and she forgives but dare not ask her to forget
every parent’s nightmare
lady of the night selling pleasures she never benefits from
lucifer’s art of temptation and seduction
lies have her laying down seduction to succeed
she is the women within
and her sexuality does not define her
womanhood has taught her to cry and heal;
not fear her power;
love unconditionally;
forgiveness and; feminism
Dear FLY Woman. First Love Yourself