Science Postgraduate Student Forum

The Science Postgraduate Student Forum Framework was drafted by representatives of the Faculty of Science as a guide for its interaction and operations within the faculty. All the important agreements that representatives have made on the forum's workings are contained in this document. It is a guide for the members and representatives of the forum and serves as the forum's "founding document."

What is the Science Postgraduate Student Forum (SPSF)?

This is a forum for postgraduate students, by students. It advocates for the needs of all postgraduate students, addresses issues that arise, and provides support and services that enable the postgraduate experience to be enhanced.

This forum represents all postgraduate Post diplomas, Honours, Masters, Doctorate, and Postdoctoral fellows enrolled at Nelson Mandela University.

The purpose of this forum is to support and champion the interests of postgraduate students through collaboration with various stakeholders. It serves as a platform where students can gather, exchange ideas, openly express their challenges, and collectively discover solutions to the issues they confront.

This Forum stemmed from the Faculty strategy, after the realization of much more needed voices to speak up for postgraduate students regarding the challenges they are faced with in the institution.

In contrast to the SRC, this structure is separate and independent, primarily focused on postgraduate students.

This forum is not only in existence to address challenges that postgraduate students are faced with, but thrives to involve postgraduate students in the transformation strategies that the science faculty has planned for its 2030 vision.

Mission Statement

The Science Postgraduate Student Forum will link postgraduate students to decision makers by being a communication link between postgraduate students and the university administration, and also acting as an advocate, protecting the interests of postgraduate students, and working to create a new era where all students can succeed and live in an environment that is substantively equal.

Vision

It is to be a unique forum where postgraduate students do not feel the gap between decision makers and facilitate a successful postgraduate student experience at Nelson Mandela University.

AIMS

Our aim with this forum is to serve postgraduate students' interests and welfare by directing activities and projects toward their specific needs, which will lead to the development of ethical, engaged, and transdisciplinary research communities for the African Faculty of Science in service to society in the 21st century.

As a forum, we aim to provide a space to collaborate within the university and other South African institutions in terms of research, development, and innovation since science is universal.

Provide a space where different departments can communicate with each other in order to collaborate, share resources where possible, and information.

The forum also intends to support the Faculty of Science goal to be a transdisciplinary African Faculty of Science that responds to society's socioeconomic and environmental challenges.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a platform for postgraduate students to voice their concerns.

Provide information transfer; communicate postgraduate-related issues to university stakeholders. Also, give back feedback to postgraduate students pertaining to the issues raised.

Engage the postgraduate science faculty students socially and professionally in a supportive community.

To assist the science faculty in creating an environment that is friendly and productive for postgraduate students, in that way attracting the quantity and quality of students who decide to further their postgraduate studies at Nelson Mandela University.

Review policy and correct policies that do not serve postgraduate students.

Interface with the SRC Science representative on representation on postgraduate matters.

FUNCTIONS

Facilitate communication and interaction among postgraduate students, undergraduates, post-doctoral fellows, research institutes and researchers.

Align with the science strategy plan to be a world class Faculty of Science.

Act as representatives for postgraduate students in the Faculty of Science and bridge a gap between students and faculty(s)/staff. This will be done to allow for grievances, issues and concerns to be raised and heard.

Seek co-representation of the postgraduate matters with the SRC representative.

Provide opportunities for different departments in the faculty to work together.

The Pillars

Upholding the community of postgraduate students in the Faculty of Science.

Transparency and communication between students and the Faculty of Science.

Integrity and accountability.
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Framework of the Forum

The Faculty of Science and the SRC have an opportunity to give input to the framework in order to enhance the operational activities of the forum. Amendments can only be made at the general meeting of the forum.

Name and Purpose

The Forum constituted in this document shall be called the Science Postgraduate Student Forum (SPSF).

The forum shall serve the following purposes:

Provide open communication, corporation, and exchange of ideas among different departments within the Faculty of Science in Nelson Mandela University.

To enhance intellectual development between the science faculties and student interactions.

Membership

Any such person, who registers for a Postgraduate degree with the Faculty of Science at Nelson Mandela University gains automatic entry into the forum. i.e. participation in this forum is mandatory for all postgraduate students enrolled at Nelson Mandela University in the Faculty of Science. Forum members need to have fulfilled the admission requirements and subsequent registration at the faculty.

In addition, the following requirements are necessary to constitute active membership:

All members shall accept the framework of the SPSF.

Attendance of at least 75% of all meetings during a given semester.

Active participation in all activities sponsored by the SPSF, unless the event interferes with either scholastic activity or there are financial constraints.

The SPSF openly admits all science postgraduate students as members and does not discriminate on the bases of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation and physical or mental disability.

Representatives

All Representatives

The term of office for each representative shall be approximately one year, until a successor is elected in the following election.

Re-election of a representative is permitted for a second one year term.

Only active members who are full-time officially registered students shall be eligible to serve as representative in the SPSF.

The attendance of each representative at all general and executive meetings shall be mandatory.

In the event of an unexpected vacancy in any office, vacancies will be filled by a representative vote. An active member may apply to the executive committee to be considered to fill the vacancy.