The 21st century has come with a number of new complexities that can only be addressed and solved with new innovative solutions. Prof Petro du Preez, from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Education, is dedicated to identifying ways that can address the current social issues that South Africa is confronted with.
Prof Du Preez recently delivered her inaugural lecture to colleagues, peers, family and friends after being ceremoniously robed as a professor by Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and campus operations in Vanderbijlpark.
During her lecture at the campus in Potchefstroom, she spoke about how nostalgia, dialogue and silence could create a space for academics to think of a new language to do justice to the ever changing times South Africa finds itself in.
Prof Du Preez added that in order for scholars to bring about social transformation during rapidly changing times, they need to engage in meaningful dialogue that embraces the critical silence they are confronted with and reflect on their nostalgia as a means of arriving at a new language.
She proposed that curriculum scholars rethink their own subjectivity in relation to that of others and the ethical conditions that structure the reality of the field in the wake of the posthuman era.
She added that curriculum scholars should work as a collective to further advance their field.
More about Prof Du Preez
Prof Du Preez is a National Research Foundation-rated young researcher and a multi-award winning academic. She currently works as a lecturer in curriculum studies, and her research focuses on curriculum studies, higher education and human rights.
She has published 40 articles and academic book chapters, co-edited two academic books and guest edited three journal issues. She has successfully supervised 10 master’s and four doctoral students, and is currently supervising an additional four doctoral candidates.
Prof Petro du Preez smiles proudly after her recent inaugural lecture. With her is Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and campus operations in Vanderbijlpark.
