UKZN Among Top 400 Universities in the World
BY: Indu Moodley and Ndabaonline
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has for the first time ever been ranked among the top 400 best performing universities in the world according to the latest 2020/2021 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings.
UKZN was placed in the 351-400 band, a significant improvement from its previous ranking in the top 500 (401 – 500) in the 2019/2020 cycle.
This achievement places UKZN in fourth position among South African universities.
More than 1 400 universities in 92 countries were assessed in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2020/2021 for research-led universities. THE uses 13 calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance which include teaching, research, citations, industry funding and international outlook. UKZN scored at the top of the comparable scale for research and citations.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath said it was exceptionally gratifying to note the upward success trajectory and collective achievements by the University to date. Three months ago, the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) positioned UKZN in the top 2.4% of universities in the world, placing it 477th out of 20 000 universities globally.
Ramjugernath says the rankings are the result of the efforts and dedication of UKZN staff and students in the area of scholarly and scientific work, which reaffirms the University’s excellent standing as a research-intensive institution of international standing. ‘These are difficult times for universities throughout the world but we will work through them with the same resolve and strengths which have delivered the outstanding ranking results.’
Meanwhile, UKZN also made it into this year’s annual Sunday Times Gen Next Awards, taking the fifth spot in the Coolest Universities 2020 category. The Sunday Times Gen Next survey has established itself as the leading barometer of what South African youths find on-trend and delivers insights that are valued by brand managers, advertising, and marketing professionals. Brands that made it onto this year’s list include Capitec, Avon, WhatsApp, Apple, Uzalo, Always, DStv, Engen and Woolworths Food.
For more information on the Times Higher Education rankings, go to: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2020/world-ranking.
Dr Savo Heleta
I never thought I would spend so much time working from my home office. It is good having a space at home where I can focus on my work, reading and writing. It helps being surrounded by books, and drawing inspiration from them. While working from home is ok, I do miss interacting with people. Hopefully we will be able to interact with each other in person soon again.
The joys of working from home
When the lockdown started and I had to leave our offices, it felt like my world was crumbling. How was I going to work? How will I communicate with my colleagues at the office? Will this ever end? These are the questions I asked myself. As I settled down to work after a few days, I found it difficult. I had to create a space to work because I have no home office, I had to juggle work and home responsibilities and teach my family to know when I am at work and not available. The emails and whatsapp messages were coming in thick and fast, there were 4 to 5 meetings in a day which I was struggling to juggle and I found myself “techno-fatigued”.
Fast forward 5 months later, this is the best thing that could have ever happened after 35 years of flat out working! Now, I determine what time I start at the office and don’t have to drive, I am more in touch with colleagues because I get prompt responses, there is no disturbance from unannounced visitors, I have lunch at home, I can change scenario of where I sit to work and I can tend to my garden in between! Most of all, I have been able to think and strategize for our division, something I never had time to do because I had to “hit the ground running”.
“working from home or living from work”
Mr Moses Pieterse
“Working from home or living from work”
Turning 2021 into 20Everyone – New dawn for health, hope and beyond#
By: Momentum Medical Scheme
Fortunately, South Africa’s resilience in facing the COVID-19 pandemic has seen us progress to Lockdown Level 1.
Having just presented our annual benefit launch, Momentum Medical Scheme built on the theme of “New horizons – a new dawn for health and hope”, where we look to extend more health to more people in South Africa, for less.
Annual contribution increase
The Scheme was able to announce one of the lowest weighted annual increases in the industry for 2021 at just 3,9%. It was able to do so as a result of its favourable average member age, but also because of Momentum’s focus on providing stability and affordability, especially during these uncertain times.
Momentum will be relaunching HealthSaver to our student members, offering them flexibility in contributing either R100 a month or a minimum of R5 00 once-off. In 2021, HealthSaver members who make monthly contributions will get free access to Hey Jude, the world’s first human-powered digital assistant. Imagine how helpful that could prove to be for an international student when they land in South Africa and need to find something, like a place to rent or study material! Finally, January will see the announcement of a range of new Multiply+ partners to interact with and enjoy savings.
Digitally enabled and empowered
We have launched new apps, products and features to help students get the best out of their cover; but we have also kept the old favourites and put more effort in simplifying their usability. Our new Wellness app, Coach in your pocket, provides the easiest, safest and most convenient access to expert advice, coaching and wellness resources. With Hello Doctor, students can still enjoy the benefits of 24/7 access to a medical practitioner who can respond to their concerns and questions immediately.
We’ve also enhanced the usage of our Momentum App, making it easier to request authorisations, submit claims and manage their HealthSaver account. Students that still need help with their scheme benefits and other, can live chat with us through our webchat function on www.ingwehealth.co.za, access our brand new Help Center or WhatsApp us on +27 860 102 493.
Over the past ten years, Momentum Health Medical Scheme has experienced 92% membership growth at an average of 7.5% per year for the period, despite the highly competitive environment, stagnant medical scheme membership and challenging economy. Momentum Health Medical Scheme still remains one of the schemes with the youngest beneficiary average age of less than 33 years. This means the Scheme has been able to attract and retain the right members through its flexible benefit offering, which allows members to personalise an option that suits their needs and pocket.
Thanks to our innovative product offering and competitive contribution rates, Momentum Medical Scheme has far outperformed our competitors when it comes to steady growth and offering solutions that cater to the needs of a younger market. Watch this space for more details on how Momentum is making sure that we remain your partner of choice throughout your life and health journey.
All the best!
Student team – Momentum Medical Scheme
Medical scheme membership, now more important than ever
By: CompCare Medcial Scheme
“It has never been more important to belong to a medical scheme than it is right now. We encourage members, no matter whether they have a hospital plan or more comprehensive benefit plan, to do their utmost to retain their membership, even though it may be difficult financially,” says Josua Joubert, Chief Executive and Principal Officer of CompCare Medical Scheme.
“Aside from providing cover for hospitalisation, medical scheme membership offers many additional benefits to carry you and your loved ones through these challenging times.”
Joubert says that all members, including those with only a hospital plan, should remember that medical schemes are legally required to provide cover for all prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs), a set of defined benefits for 25 chronic medical conditions. This ensures that members have access to minimum health services, no matter what benefit option they have chosen.
“At CompCare we have added enhancements to our services, including making provision for telephonic or video-call consultations with doctors for those who cannot get to a doctor. We have seen an increased demand for our telephonic counselling service offered to members through our psychosocial benefit. This is assisting many in dealing with the physical, mental and financial uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.
“We fully understand that the changing face of our world and our personal circumstances are taking an emotional toll on many and wish to remind members that our 24/7/365 psychosocial service is at hand toll-free on 0800 390 003 for those who may need it.”
Joubert cautions that cancelling, or allowing membership to lapse, may have consequences, even when re-joining a medical scheme. Consequences include being subjected to a waiting period and/or a late joiner penalty when re-joining at a later stage –
- the Medical Schemes Act stipulates that any break in coverage of more than 90 days, entitles a scheme to impose a three-month general waiting period and a 12-month condition specific waiting period, on the membership of an applicant. During this time PMB conditions will also not be covered.
- the Act further states that if an applicant who is 35 or older when joining a medical scheme, has a break in coverage exceeding three consecutive months their scheme may impose a late joiner penalty. As it does not expire, the percentage calculated will be added to the monthly contribution indefinitely.
“It is therefore important to retain your membership so that you can avoid the possible imposition of waiting periods and late joiner penalties, which were put in place to protect the reserves of medical schemes.
“Medical schemes, which are not-for-profit organisations, can by law not charge different premiums for members based on their health status or age. Contributions can only vary based on a member’s income and the number of dependants registered on the membership.
“Given that all members pay the same contributions, it would be unfair to members contributing to the fund for years, if an applicant who only just joined the scheme were to receive exactly the same benefits for the same contribution, without being impacted by waiting periods or late joiner penalties,” concludes Joubert.
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By: Lungile Ngubelanga
UKZN alumnus, Dr Anuschka Coovadia spearheaded a national medical support hotline: Doctors on Call to assist South Africans as the number of COVID-19 cases spiked.
Four hundred and fifty doctors provided free healthcare services to more than 40 000 people and ran an awareness campaign on COVID-19 which reached over 10 million.
This joint initiative by the KwaZulu-Natal Doctors Healthcare Coalition, Usizo Advisory Solutions and learning system app Vula involved a call centre helpline, and support for the rollout of a free testing programme.
Coovadia who graduated with an MBChB in 2000 and a Masters in Health Economics in 2004 said the doctors were trained in line with national guidelines, clinical protocols and standard operating processes. They adhered to guidelines set by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in providing advice.
She also worked with Vula to co-ordinate referrals to COVID ICUs, the COVID field hospitals, run free testing programmes, provide a free referral channel to public sector doctors; liaise with the NICD leadership and undertake data collection for the NICD.
Coovadia offered advice to companies and community-based organisations, and was involved in setting up a network to provide free mental healthcare services and training to healthcare workers on the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 as well as free testing in vulnerable communities.
In addition to her work relating to COVID-19, Coovadia is supporting the implementation of national health insurance in Zambia, a vaccine initiative in Botswana; and the development of a strategy for the Board of Healthcare Funders; and developing a health quality tool for emerging countries for the International Finance Corporation.
She said that she is committed to strengthening the healthcare system in South Africa in order to alleviate suffering, by creating a modern, affordable, high quality healthcare system, and reducing inequality.
by Dr Tasmeera Singh
Principal International Advisor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal & IEASA MC member
Without a sigh, gush or gurgle COVID-19 appeared with such tumultuous buffeting,
leaving neither a trace nor footprint in its ruination, just an invisible presence.
Borders closed, trains, planes and vessels grounded,
the earth stood still shattering human connectivity.
A simple human touch became COVID-19s greatest strength,
unleashing a pernicious fury with contempt for human life.
Sunshine, smiles and giggles replaced by darkness, solitude and emptiness,
for the hands that once fed, once provided is COVID-19s strongest weapon.
Playgrounds, beaches and parks bereft of activity.
Schools, nurseries and universities devoid of learners and students,
troubling the foundations of knowledge and progression.
Lockdowns, stays and isolation the new vocabulary epitomizing COVID-19.
Such deafening silence globally parading in all its grandeur,
lest not the gurgles and mirth of youth unspent.
BUT in all silence and solitude we witness the manifestation
of nature and nurture in all its glory, forms and shape.
Suddenly the sounds of chirping birds, the crashing of waves against the sea shore,
echoes in symbolic melody of earth’s purity.
Clearer skies sans toxins and pollutants
shine in alluring seduction beckoning a crystalline future.
Nature is reborn with boom and glory inducing,
intoxicating freshness and rejuvenation all around.
Mothers, fathers and children huddled together in fight of COVID-19.
Families rekindle over meals with simple talk without rush and race,
just free abandonment for life’s simple blessings and gestures.
As the COVID storm rages with all its might and fury new appreciation is found.
Love, life and laughter are no longer granted meaningless,
as we garner the resolve to fight the COVID storm,
together in solidarity fearless in all our awe and armory.
Through internationalisation, new bridges to research connect,
unique collaborations engage as we scurry globally,
to find a cure to eliminate this invisible enemy.
COVID-19 has only strengthened the human resolve
to live, to confront, to conquer against all odds.
Ignited is the spirt of solidarity and togetherness in adversity.
Your rage, your ruination and catastrophic devastation
will come to pass as all things do.
Everlasting, never fading, will be the lessons of love for life,
festering unwavering adulation for the kindred human soul in humbleness and humility.
Endure we shall this rage nor cower, nor bow to fear or be defined by YOU.
United our resolve is strengthened with tenacity to persevere until YOU VANISH.
