Central

• Member: Elzana Kempen

Institution: UFS

Elzana Kempen is a scholar in Health Professions Education at the University of the Free State, where she serves as a senior lecturer in the Division of Health Sciences Education. Her work sits at the intersection of teaching, learning, and academic development, with a strong focus on supporting educators in navigating the complexities of clinical and academic practice.

Her interests include faculty development, assessment, and mentorship, particularly how educational journeys shape both personal and professional identity. She is especially drawn to how educators grow into their roles—through uncertainty, reflection, and meaningful engagement with others—and this continues to shape her approach to creating collaborative and responsive development spaces.

Elzana may be contacted on: kempene@ufs.ac.za

Member: Jeanette du Plessis

Institution: CUT

I graduated with a qualification in Radiography in 1985 from the University of the Free State (UFS). During my Radiography career, I worked as a Diagnostic Radiographer for 17 years before accepting a position as a lecturer in Radiography at the Central University of Technology (CUT), where I remain employed. In 2008, I earned a Master’s in Higher Education and, in 2015, a PhD in Health Professions Education, both from the UFS. I am passionate about teaching in the health professions and use my knowledge and skills to mentor my peer educationalists in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in their important work.

Currently, I am a senior lecturer in the Department of Clinical Science at the CUT, with research interests in Work-integrated Learning (WIL), Peer-assisted Learning (PAL), and Curriculum Development. I have supervised several Master’s and PhD students and remain actively involved in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to stay informed about new developments in the diagnostic imaging industry.

Member: Leandi Lammertyn

Institution: NWU

Member: Roan Slabbert

Institution: CUT

Bio:

Member: Yolande Heymans

Institution: NWU

Prof Yolande Heymans is a full Professor in the Centre for Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University. As module coordinator, she co-teaches an aligned undergraduate module with 1,500 students in an online modality. Her main research focuses on health professions education in the higher education context, specifically on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, enhancing student engagement, interprofessional collaborative learning, large-class teaching, online learning, and authentic pedagogy. Yolande supervises postgraduate students in health professions education, and publications include journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers.

Member: Marcel Mather

Institution: NWU

Member: Riaan van Wyk

Institution: UFS

Riaan van Wyk obtained a BComm (IT) degree at the University of the Free State in 2000 and joined the private sector as an IT Systems engineer. His involvement in tertiary education began in 2012 as a technical expert at the Clinical Simulation and Skills Unit at the University of the Free State. He obtained a Master’s degree in 2016 and a PhD in HPE in 2021 (UFS).