Prof. M.A. Masoga, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Dr K.C. Nunes, Siyaphumelela Institutional Lead, Dr P.C. Champion-Ntamo, Co-Lead in the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT), and Prof. Ermien van Pletzen, Siyaphumelela Network Coach.

Siyaphumelela Network Coach, Prof. Ermien van Pletzen, visited the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), to engage with the university on its ongoing participation in the Siyaphumelela Student Success Network. As one of seven network coaches, Prof. van Pletzen supports higher education institutions in developing and implementing evidence-based approaches to improving student outcomes. She currently provides strategic guidance to both CUT and Rhodes University.

The engagement provided an opportunity to reflect on CUT’s student success priorities, strengthen institutional collaboration and explore strategies to advance student achievement and academic progression.

The Siyaphumelela Student Success Network is a national initiative aimed at improving student access, retention, academic progression, graduation and work-readiness across South African universities. Through data-informed decision-making, enhanced teaching and learning practices, and inter-institutional collaboration, the network supports universities in creating enabling environments that promote student achievement and success.

CUT joined the network in June 2024, aligning its participation with the university’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan and its commitment to student-centredness and student success.

At CUT, the initiative is led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof. M.A. Masoga, and coordinated by Dr K.C. Nunes, Siyaphumelela Institutional Lead, and Dr P.C. Champion-Ntamo, Co-Lead in the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT).

Through its participation in the network, the university is advancing three key interventions: data analytics, academic advising and targeted support for high-impact modules.

The data analytics initiative aims to strengthen the university’s capacity to identify students at risk and implement timely, targeted support measures. As part of this effort, CUT is establishing a data warehouse to enhance data integration, improve access to institutional information and strengthen its analytical capacity for evidence-based decision-making.

Academic advising focuses on monitoring the academic performance of First-Time Entering Students (FTENs) receiving support. This enables the university to track student retention, academic progression and success rates, while using the insights gained to continuously improve its support interventions.

The third intervention focuses on high-impact modules, particularly courses characterised by high enrolments and low pass rates. Through curriculum and assessment reviews, analysis of student feedback and the development of Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders, the initiative seeks to strengthen teaching and learning, improve student performance and ultimately increase retention and graduation rates.

Looking ahead, the next phase of Siyaphumelela at CUT will focus on strategic planning and university-wide engagement to deepen institutional understanding of student success and strengthen collaboration across the university. Key priorities will include securing leadership commitment, promoting data-informed decision-making, advancing equity and social justice, fostering a supportive teaching and learning culture, reviewing institutional policies and practices, and enhancing communication and collaboration.

Ultimately, Siyaphumelela at CUT aims to cultivate a responsive, inclusive and evidence-informed institutional environment where student success is embraced as a shared responsibility and every student is empowered and supported to realise their full potential.