Dr Sophie Etomes has been selected for the 2024 UNILEAD Programme. UNILEAD is a short, practice-orientated learning programme for young University Leaders in Higher Education Management. The programme was developed in 2008 in cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD, DIES Programme) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. It enables young managers between the ages of 30 and 40 at higher education institutions in developing countries to tackle everyday management challenges successfully.
UNILEAD focuses on different topics within education management and aims to foster innovative projects in organisational development and human resource management in higher education institutions. The participants acquire techniques and methods to organise institutional management effectively and efficiently in their home institutions.
Please share the highlights of the UNILEADS Programme so far.
The UNILEADS programme started effectively in January 2024 online with an introduction of the first two modules, Project Management and Strategic Management and Academic Leadership. The first contact phase took place from 25 February–15 March 2024, where we completed the first two modules and participants were issued a certificate of completion. The second online contact phase began in April 2024 with the Digital Transformation of Higher Education.
Each participant is expected to implement a project to improve leadership in their home institution. During the first in-person contact phase, each participant presented their project. The title of my project is "University-Industry Partnership for Improving Teachers' Productivity at the University of Buea".
What is the difference between the UNILEADS and FAR-LeaF Programmes?
UNILEAD is more focused on training administrators with administrative positions to improve management and leadership practices in higher education worldwide. FAR-LeaF focuses on both leadership and research training of fellows in Africa. However, like FAR-LeaF, UNILEAD also concentrates on transdisciplinary collaboration among leaders regarding leadership and research activities.
How does this programme benefit your research?
I carry out research in leadership, so the training has provided in-depth knowledge to improve my research in leadership, especially contemporary leadership issues. It has also widened my research community for more collaborative research work. I am currently already working with three of my colleagues from UNILEAD. One of my colleagues also invited me to present at the Inaugural Africa Month Symposium at Nelson Mandela University in May 2024. This allowed me to show part of my FAR-LEAF project.
How do you intend to use what you learnt to improve your home institution – how will you pay it forward?
I have presented my project and what I have learned from the UNILEAD programme to my Faculty. With issues of globalisation, this course has provided coping strategies to higher education managers and leaders to sustain their productivity.
What are the benefits of building research networks in Africa?
It expands your scope of knowledge and research with new areas of inquiry. This also provides opportunities for postgraduate students to interact across disciplines. Specifically, it allows me to identify and solve contextual issues through research activities.
How do you balance your personal life, academic life, and teaching?
Balance is challenging, but I try to make time for every activity. For example, I try not to carry out any academic activities during the weekends.
Sophie Etomes, in conversation with Heidi Sonnekus
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