Vision and Mission

Vision

The staff and partners of the department of Occupational Therapy of the University of Witwatersrand aim to:

• Educate excellent occupational therapists who will enhance and enable the health and optimal participation of all the people of South Africa through engagement in human occupations,

• Develop the future leaders of the profession and

• Become an internationally renown centre of excellence for research in occupational therapy and rehabilitation

To this end our supportive and progressive department strives to:

Offer a range of excellent, innovative and dynamic curricula which are sensitive to professional developments and the changing health needs and priorities in the South Africa. Our undergraduate program aims to produce enthusiastic professional and competent generalists while the post graduate programs develop competent occupational therapists with highly specialized skills and the ability to acquire evidence in developing the profession though unique scientific activities. Both undergraduates and post graduates educated in this department will be highly regarded both nationally and internationally.

Attract a diverse group of learners who are nurtured and mentored to become competent, critical thinkers and independent, well regarded clinicians who are sought after and who will become the future leaders in the profession.

Attract and retain a diverse dynamic staff that are outstanding clinicians, researchers and educators, who are prized mentors and role models for all learners. The staff will all be actively involved in the development of knowledge and skill pertinent to the profession in their field of practice and rehabilitation in general through research and personal endeavor.

Raise the profile of the department within:

* The profession both nationally and internationally by actively participating in professional activities, presenting papers and posters at conferences.

*The university by both staff and learners actively participating in the management, academic and social activities of the school, faculty, and university.

Liaise with and develop partnerships and networks with stakeholders and professional colleagues which will enhance, develop and promote occupational therapy and rehabilitation and influence policy development through our participation and contribution to education, the profession, research and community engagement opportunities both in South Africa and the global village.

Mission Statement

The mission statement of the Department of Occupational Therapy is to:

Educate excellent occupational therapists at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, by developing and critically reviewing dynamic curricula that are appropriate for the South Africa context but at the same time maintaining international accreditation.

Attract a diverse group of learners who will be supported and mentored within the course to develop outstanding professional skills but also to develop their talents, leadership and critical thinking skills and overcome disadvantage.

Support and enable staff to achieve outstanding teaching and mentoring skills, a higher degree and a research profile but at the same time maintaining clinical excellence.

Conduct appropriate and meaningful research in occupational therapy and rehabilitation to create the evidence for professional development and to disseminate and publish this in peer reviewed accredited journals.

Develop appropriate contacts and sites for community engagement to demonstrate our social responsibility and to serve the community.

Promote the department within the profession, school, faculty and university by actively participating in appropriate activities in order to gain support and recognition from these groupings.

Engage in activities that develop the profession locally, nationally and internationally.

Contribute to the development of the occupational therapy services in all areas that contribute to our student training program.

Advocate, as professionals, for appropriate services, care and rights for all our clients in general and people with disabilities in particular.