As the country is celebrating women’s month, the University of Venda has been profiling female champions in the academic and scientific community as part of appreciating female staff and students. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof Nosisi Nellie Feza is in executive leadership and is one of the female champions who are doing wonders in the academic and research space. Professor Feza joined the University of Venda as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Post Graduate Studies in 2021, bringing with her more than 25 years of wealth of experience in higher education.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Postgraduate Studies-Prof Nosisi Nellie Feza
Prof Nosisi Feza is a C-Rated NRF researcher in early childhood mathematics. She received a diversity scholar Award in Michigan University in the United States and was awarded Fulbright scholarship. During her PhD studies she received an Inaugural Leroy and Margaret H. Callahan Scholarship for a promising researcher. Her scientific contribution of IsiXhosa Mathematics dictionary was showcased by the Human Sciences Research Council as a significant contribution to the learning of mathematics of IsiXhosa speaking learners during National Science week. She advices in the mathematics education of young children through UNICEF, Zenex Foundation and the Department of Basic Education of South Africa also conducting reviews. She actively participates in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and published a number of articles including papers that analysed best performing learners from poorly resourced schools.
Her international collaborations include participation in the study of transforming learning in township schools with colleagues from Montreal in Canada and Boston in the US co-publishing a number of articles together. In addition, she participated in the study of Mathematics Teaching for the 21st century study, led by William Schmidt at the University of Michigan and few papers were also published. She collaborated with international colleagues for ICME-14 conducting a survey on early childhood mathematics education published in European magazine.
Prof Feza has published 35 papers, 9 book chapters and a book. She serves as Editorial Board member of the African Journal for Teacher Education and Development, Research Advisor for Zenex Foundation, Board member of RedInk Early mathematics and literacy NGO, Deputy Chair of COUNT-NGO for mathematics education, NRF panel member of Research SARCHI Chairs, IKS and Thuthuka, and NRF Chair for
Mathematics unrated researchers’ panel. She has raised approximately 1300 000 rands from NRF, 14.5 mil rands for TIMSS and 120 000 rands for commissioned research.
As we are closing Women’s month, she encouraged women to confidently embrace leadership in research, do their best and be impactful. The kind of leadership that she encourages is the one which engages with the society, inspires, encourages, impact and make a difference.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 /8710
Date: 31 August 2022
