Graduate attributes: How some university students experience and learn them

The voices of university students are often absent from academic discourses on the learning of graduate attributes (GAs). Such attributes are mostly constructed and conceptualised from the viewpoint of academics, institutions, education authorities and industry. However, as students within democratic contexts are increasingly challenged to assume greater responsibility for their own growth and development, it seems imperative that they participate in discussions related to the acquiring of graduate attributes. This article reports on how students at one South African university understand and relate to graduate attributes. Data were generated from a group of students at the University of the Western Cape through focus group interviews and photo elicitation. The results indicate that students who understand what graduate attributes are and how they can acquire these attributes might enhance such students’ further growth and their employability

A change in the name of the type of Chondria C. Agardh (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149775/1/tax01150.pd

Students’ perceptions of their learning of graduate attributes at the University of the Western Cape

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.ENGLISH ABSTRACT :Student voices are notably absent from academic discourse on graduate attributes (GAs) as such attributes are often constructed and conceptualised from the viewpoint of educational institutions, government and industry. The overarching aim of the study was to gain deeper insight into how students understand graduate attributes to be developed and learnt within the institutional context of one higher education institution, namely the University of the Western Cape (UWC). With students increasingly being challenged to assume greater responsibility for their own growth and development, it is imperative that they be brought into the discussion around graduate attributes. This study involved participants registered as UWC students and involved in the programme offerings of the Leadership and Social Responsibility (LSR) office in 2016. Within an interpretive knowledge position, an exploratory institutional case study design was utilised. Qualitative data were generated through the use of two focus group interviews, one individual interview as well as photo elicitation activities over a period of three weeks. The main study findings indicated that students hold some measure of understanding of what graduate attributes are, how they acquire these attributes and that they are important in the context of increasing students’ employability. It also emerged that the staff at the institution play a vital role in how graduate attributes are learnt and developed. There appears to be an expressed need that graduate attributes should be embedded within all facets of the institution and, importantly, students’ own self-interest has a crucial role within how graduate attributes are taken up.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen Afrikaanse opsomming geskikbaar nie

William Withering, Edgbaston, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith

Apologises for sending enclosed volumes so long after publication [probably Withering's "An arrangement of British plants" third edition]. Encloses two species of 'Arundo' of Linnaeus gathered last summer for Smith to name, always supposed them 'Arundo epigejos' and 'Arundo calamagrostis'; detailed observations on each, gives characters of his specimens. Received specimens of 'Chizonia pulchella' recently found for first time since being found on north coast of Cornwall some years ago; differences with figure he originally made [in his "Botanic arrangement"]. Corrections to his 'Gentiana collina' figure; from new specimens received thinks it is nondescript. Thanks Smith for offer of sending proof sheets of "Flora Britannica" as they came off the press so as to correct his own work, but various circumstances means he could not profit by such. Asks after possibility of seeing Smith at Edgbaston

William Withering, The Larches, [Birmingham, Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]

Thanks for Smith's letter of 2 March [1801] and 'Drosera' specimens. Botany has "afforded [him] a most agreeable relaxation" from more severe study; preparing fourth edition of his father's [William Withering] work ["An arrangement of British plants", first published 1776], though warns not much alteration or improvement can be expected; thanks for Smith's offer of assistance. Requests Smith's assistance regarding an "indifferent specimen" of 'Ranunculus gramineus' gathered in North Wales; observations, will send it. He recently applied to join the Linnean Society

William Withering, The Larches, [Birmingham, Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, at the apartments of the Linnean Society, Panton Square, Coventry Street, London

Sending box to Linnean Society containing 400 plants gathered in Portugal by himself and his father, [William Withering], most of which are present in the catalogue he presented to the Society last spring. Comments on "unfortunate necessity which most men now feel of forsaking the milder sciences which can only flourish in peaceable times, for the barbarous study of War"

William Withering, Edgbaston, [Warwickshire], to James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk]

Informs Smith he is "not quite implacable" on account of Smith's critique in preface to seventh volume of "English botany", and that he is not "intemperately [...] friendly to reform"; wishes Smith had kept him a little more detached "from the furious reformers of Germany, whose zeal has carried them to adopt measures which can never be defended". His only statement on subject is that it renders "the business of investigation more easy", for sake of the ladies who "cannot fail to be shocked at the abominable & indelicate idea of the females riding the males". Encloses specimen of "fungi parvi globosi" of "English botany"; observations. Asks that Smith delay figuring English 'Drosera' until he has sent specimens as he believes there are 5 species of that genus in the country. Encloses two Portugeuse species of 'Trifolium'; one may be 'T. angustifolium' [Smith annotation: "HL"] and the other belongs to subdivision of 'T. venicaria', if new suggests name 'T. umbellatum' [Smith annotation: "'resupinatum' HL"]; observations. In great hopes that 'Bromus diandrus' will prove valuable addition to agriculture, providing a much needed pasture in late March, though uncertain of expense of tillage; will send seed to any farming friend of Smith's. Thanks for Smith's praise of his "Botanical Arranagement" and for the "many corrections which it owes to [Smith's] superior knowledge". Thanks for invitation to Norwich, but his health complaints do not allow him to travel, hopes Smith will visit him instead. "The very flourishing state of the Linn[ean] Soc[iety] must be highly flattering to its Founder"

A New Method of preserving Fungi, &c

Volume: 2Start Page: 263End Page: 26