FEDISA: Staff

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	Dr Nigel Thomas Crawhall Chair: FEDISA^TM Academic Advisory Council Dr Crawhall is the Director of Secretariat of the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC), a United Nations' ECOSOC accredited network organisation. He is a consultant to UNESCO's Division for Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue. He is currently voluntary Co-Chair of the IUCN Strategic Direction on Protected Areas Governance, Equity, Rights and Livelihoods – TILCEPA. Dr Crawhall is the previous Director of the National Language Project (South Africa) and Cultural Programme Manager of the South African San Institute. Dr Crawhall holds a PhD in Sociolinguistics from the University of Cape Town, an MPhil in Linguistics from the University of Zimbabwe, and a BA Hons degree in Political Science from McGill University (Montreal, Canada). Dr Crawhall's role at FEDISA^TM is to guide the Academic Advisory Council. He provides support to the FEDISA^TM Management team and oversees disciplinary matters at the institute. Dr Crawhall provides academic input on cultural diversity, indigenous peoples and intercultural dialogue. Allen Leroux Academic Director & CEO With a Masters Degree in 21st Century Design Education from the University of Cape Town, Allen Leroux is also a widely published commentator on design education matters. He has served on the Management Committee of the Design Education Forum of Southern Africa (DEFSA) and acted as a National Assessor of Programme Accreditation for the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for a number of years. After spending 11 years with the erstwhile Cape Technikon, teaching across the full spectrum of the fashion design programme, Mr Leroux moved into Private Higher Education to establish FEDISA^TM(Pty) Ltd in 2005. As Academic Director and CEO of the company he now shares his substantial tertiary design expertise with the staff and students on FEDISA's^tm BA: Fashion Design degree programme and is the driving force behind FEDISA's^tm innovative new BA Honours: Fashion Degree. He is currently undertaking extensive international research for his PhD in Best Practice Models for Tertiary Design Education. Gerald Bird Director Admissions & COO As a founding partner of FEDISA^TM, Mr Bird has moved his logistics, administrative and information technology expertise into the Private Higher Education sector. He now oversees the administrative and financial portfolios of FEDISA^TM (Pty) Ltd in his role of COO and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the institute. Mr Bird served on the Western Cape Executive of the Association of Private Providers of Education and Training (APPEDT) for a number of years. Khanyisa Gqada – ‘Ms K’ Office Manager & Director’s PA Ms K joined FEDISA^TM (Pty) Ltd in 2007 after several years with Woolworths. She speaks five languages and her exceptional people skills are perfectly matched to the highly demanding environment of the design education industry. Ms K works closely with the directors of FEDISA^TM and shoulders the vast responsibility of public liaison and managing the institute's front office. She continues to be the first port of call for all enquiries directed to the institute. Dexter Jeremiah Dog Director of Security As a founding member of the FEDISA^TM team, Dexter has only been attending the institute on a full time basis since mid 2008, having made intermittent appearances at FEDISA^TM before this date due to early retirement. 'The Dexter' as students and staff alike affectionately know him is charged with morale boosting, multiple cuddles for anyone feeling glum and internal security. The security aspects of Dexter's duties, which he takes very seriously, include adding a menacing presence in FEDISA's^tm reception to deter any ne'er-do-well and ensuring that no intrusive foodstuffs make it into any of the FEDISA^TM studios. Elizabeth Retief Senior Lecturer: Technology & Staff Mentor Holding a National Higher Diploma in Clothing Design and an Academic Colours Award for Academic Excellence from the erstwhile Port Elizabeth Technikon, Ms Retief brings a tertiary design education background spanning 47 years to FEDISA^TM, where she has been instrumental in the development of an exceptionally advanced textiles technology programme. Having spent 13 years as a lecturer at the Port Elizabeth Technikon she progressed into adult education taking on the role of technology instructor for one of South Africa's foremost sewing technology providers. She has trained literally thousands of design and technology professionals (including FEDISA's^tm CEO & Academic Director – Allen Leroux) and now shares her unfathomable knowledge with the students at FEDISA^TM. Ms Retief was instrumental in the establishment of the FEDISA^TM Mentorship Programme for Academic Staff, through which junior staff members at FEDISA^TM are trained to her exacting specifications in order to offer the highest levels of educational competency to the FEDISA^TM students. Despite her annual threats to retire, she is persuaded to stay 'just one more year' every time. Unita Meiring Lecturer: Production Technology Following a three-year fashion design, tailoring and pattern drafting qualification, Ms Meiring further developed her substantial knowledge of fashion technology and adult education through a 16 year association with both the Swedish Husqvarna and the Swiss Bernina companies, two of the world's foremost producers of fashion technology. She joined the FEDISA^TM academic team in 2006, where she specializes in the promotion of the most advanced production technologies currently available. She continues to share her extensive knowledge with the students at FEDISA^TM, where her specific interest in materials re-fabrication adds an exciting new dimension to the fashion programme at the institute. Marinella Avvakoumides Lecturer: Visual Studies & Short Programme Coordinator Ms Avvakoumides joined the FEDISA^TM team in 2011, taking on the Visual Studies course, after relocating from Gauteng. She received the Top Student Award in both the 3rd year and 4th year, BTech degree studies, at Pretoria Technikon, which she also completed cum laude. Ms Avvakoumides lectured at the Design School Southern Africa for six years, during which time she was appointed Head of Fashion and later Vice Principal of the institution. Ms Avvakoumides takes a keen interest in handcrafted jewellery, a passion she has pursued since 2008 and which she will be sharing with the FEDISA^TM students in the newly developed 2D & 3D Design course. In addition to her lecturing duties at FEDISA^TM, Ms Avvakoumides is also the Course Coordinator for FEDISA's^tm Short Course Programmes and part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team. Arzelle van der Merwe Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies Having completed a BTech Degree in Fashion Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2005, Ms Van der Merwe was also awarded the Freudenburg Prize, for Most Technically Advanced Collection, in her final year of study. She worked in the activewear industry as patternmaker, grader and fabric originator for ladies golf, swim and dancewear. She also completed a course in photography and lighting design while simultaneously establishing her own evening, dance and bridal wear studio, which she continues to run for an exclusive clientele. Ms Van der Merwe joined FEDISA^TM in 2007 as a junior lecturer, on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme under Ms Retief. In 2009 she took on the role of mentor herself, with the guidance of FEDISA's^tm senior staff. A role she has continued for FEDISA's^tm new junior staff. Ms Van der Merwe, or Miss A as she is known to the students, is involved in the Clothing Technology, Communication & Social Studies and Computer Aided Design courses of FEDISA's^tm BA: Fashion Design degree programme. She is also head of 2nd year Technology. Miss A, as she is known on campus, liaises on the production of fashion shows for FEDISA^TM, most recently in association with Cavendish Square & the J&B Met and is part of 'back-of-house' at the annual FEDISA^TM Graduate Collection shows. Ms Van der Merwe is coordinator of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team. Nicoll Rennie Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies Ms Rennie completed her BTech degree in Fashion Design at the Durban University of Technology in 2008. During her studies she designed and styled for several marketing and design companies, and also developed a following of private clients. She has worked part-time in retail and completed additional courses in Fashion Buying and Merchandising, as well as Business Management while pursuing her formal degree. Ms Rennie relocated to Cape Town in 2009 to join FEDISA's^tm academic team on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme. She is currently refining her design education competencies as a junior lecturer in Pattern and Clothing Technology and Design in the foundation year of FEDISA's^tm BA: Fashion Design degree programme. Ms Rennie is also part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team. Danielle Hartman Junior Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies Ms Hartman completed her National Diploma in Fashion Design from the Cape Technikon in 2004, with a two-year tour of the United Kingdom, working in publishing as a graphic designer. Upon her return to South Africa she pursued a career in fashion, designing underwear and sleepwear for a leading South African retailer. Ms Hartman joined the FEDISA^TM team, as junior lecturer on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme at the start of 2010 and is also part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team. Tatum Kelly Lecturer: Computer Aided Design Tatum Kelly relocated to Cape Town in 2007 to join FEDISA^TM as lecturer in Visual Studies. Graduating cum laude with an Honours Degree in Fashion Design from Wits Technikon in 2002. Ms Kelly was also awarded the Technikon Medal for Outstanding Achievement in her final year of study. Ms Kelly worked as a freelance designer, patternmaker and grader, a passion, which she continues to pursue, before starting her lecturing career in Fashion Design, first at Damelin and then at Design School Southern Africa in Johannesburg. Since 2009 Ms Kelly has shared her expertise in Visual Studies with the students at FEDISA^TM and continues to develop the student body through Computer Aided Design. Lucia Uhlikova Junior Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies Ms Uhlikova joined FEDISA^TM in 2011 as junior lecturer in Technology and Visual Studies on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme. A gifted design professional, Ms Uhlikova has an instinctive affinity for transferring her knowledge to students. She is also a graduate of FEDISA^TM, holding a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design and was the winner of the 2009 Cape Town Sewing Centre Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement during her final year. Ms Uhlikova is also part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team. Lolita Gqeba Secretary & Receptionist Ms Gqeba joined FEDISA^TM in 2010 as secretary & receptionist. Ms Gqeba has a great interest in public relations, event planning and brand management, and is pursuing a degree part-time in this area. She has worked as an event coordinator for conferences and exhibitions and her project management abilities are proving to be a great asset to her duties at FEDISA^TM. Bomvana Roy Zweni Maintenance Supervisor Having honed his craft in the maintenance industry through BERCO South Africa, Mr Zweni joined FEDISA^TM at its inception in 2005, working as the institute's maintenance supervisor. Mr Zweni's responsibilities include the maintenance and upkeep of the FEDISA^TM studios, as well as the set-up and striking of the institutes' numerous exhibitions.

Dr Nigel Thomas Crawhall

Chair: FEDISA^TM Academic Advisory Council

Dr Crawhall is the Director of Secretariat of the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC), a United Nations' ECOSOC accredited network organisation. He is a consultant to UNESCO's Division for Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue. He is currently voluntary Co-Chair of the IUCN Strategic Direction on Protected Areas Governance, Equity, Rights and Livelihoods – TILCEPA. Dr Crawhall is the previous Director of the National Language Project (South Africa) and Cultural Programme Manager of the South African San Institute.

Dr Crawhall holds a PhD in Sociolinguistics from the University of Cape Town, an MPhil in Linguistics from the University of Zimbabwe, and a BA Hons degree in Political Science from McGill University (Montreal, Canada).

Dr Crawhall's role at FEDISA^TM is to guide the Academic Advisory Council. He provides support to the FEDISA^TM Management team and oversees disciplinary matters at the institute. Dr Crawhall provides academic input on cultural diversity, indigenous peoples and intercultural dialogue.

Allen Leroux

Academic Director & CEO

With a Masters Degree in 21st Century Design Education from the University of Cape Town, Allen Leroux is also a widely published commentator on design education matters. He has served on the Management Committee of the Design Education Forum of Southern Africa (DEFSA) and acted as a National Assessor of Programme Accreditation for the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for a number of years.

After spending 11 years with the erstwhile Cape Technikon, teaching across the full spectrum of the fashion design programme, Mr Leroux moved into Private Higher Education to establish FEDISA^TM(Pty) Ltd in 2005. As Academic Director and CEO of the company he now shares his substantial tertiary design expertise with the staff and students on FEDISA's^tm BA: Fashion Design degree programme and is the driving force behind FEDISA's^tm innovative new BA Honours: Fashion Degree.

He is currently undertaking extensive international research for his PhD in Best Practice Models for Tertiary Design Education.

Gerald Bird

Director Admissions & COO

As a founding partner of FEDISA^TM, Mr Bird has moved his logistics, administrative and information technology expertise into the Private Higher Education sector. He now oversees the administrative and financial portfolios of FEDISA^TM (Pty) Ltd in his role of COO and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the institute.

Mr Bird served on the Western Cape Executive of the Association of Private Providers of Education and Training (APPEDT) for a number of years.

Khanyisa Gqada – ‘Ms K’

Office Manager & Director’s PA

Ms K joined FEDISA^TM (Pty) Ltd in 2007 after several years with Woolworths. She speaks five languages and her exceptional people skills are perfectly matched to the highly demanding environment of the design education industry.

Ms K works closely with the directors of FEDISA^TM and shoulders the vast responsibility of public liaison and managing the institute's front office. She continues to be the first port of call for all enquiries directed to the institute.

Dexter Jeremiah Dog

Director of Security

As a founding member of the FEDISA^TM team, Dexter has only been attending the institute on a full time basis since mid 2008, having made intermittent appearances at FEDISA^TM before this date due to early retirement. 'The Dexter' as students and staff alike affectionately know him is charged with morale boosting, multiple cuddles for anyone feeling glum and internal security.

The security aspects of Dexter's duties, which he takes very seriously, include adding a menacing presence in FEDISA's^tm reception to deter any ne'er-do-well and ensuring that no intrusive foodstuffs make it into any of the FEDISA^TM studios.

Elizabeth Retief

Senior Lecturer: Technology & Staff Mentor

Holding a National Higher Diploma in Clothing Design and an Academic Colours Award for Academic Excellence from the erstwhile Port Elizabeth Technikon, Ms Retief brings a tertiary design education background spanning 47 years to FEDISA^TM, where she has been instrumental in the development of an exceptionally advanced textiles technology programme.

Having spent 13 years as a lecturer at the Port Elizabeth Technikon she progressed into adult education taking on the role of technology instructor for one of South Africa's foremost sewing technology providers. She has trained literally thousands of design and technology professionals (including FEDISA's^tm CEO & Academic Director – Allen Leroux) and now shares her unfathomable knowledge with the students at FEDISA^TM.

Ms Retief was instrumental in the establishment of the FEDISA^TM Mentorship Programme for Academic Staff, through which junior staff members at FEDISA^TM are trained to her exacting specifications in order to offer the highest levels of educational competency to the FEDISA^TM students.

Despite her annual threats to retire, she is persuaded to stay 'just one more year' every time.

Unita Meiring

Lecturer: Production Technology

Following a three-year fashion design, tailoring and pattern drafting qualification, Ms Meiring further developed her substantial knowledge of fashion technology and adult education through a 16 year association with both the Swedish Husqvarna and the Swiss Bernina companies, two of the world's foremost producers of fashion technology.

She joined the FEDISA^TM academic team in 2006, where she specializes in the promotion of the most advanced production technologies currently available. She continues to share her extensive knowledge with the students at FEDISA^TM, where her specific interest in materials re-fabrication adds an exciting new dimension to the fashion programme at the institute.

Marinella Avvakoumides

Lecturer: Visual Studies & Short Programme Coordinator

Ms Avvakoumides joined the FEDISA^TM team in 2011, taking on the Visual Studies course, after relocating from Gauteng. She received the Top Student Award in both the 3rd year and 4th year, BTech degree studies, at Pretoria Technikon, which she also completed cum laude. Ms Avvakoumides lectured at the Design School Southern Africa for six years, during which time she was appointed Head of Fashion and later Vice Principal of the institution.

Ms Avvakoumides takes a keen interest in handcrafted jewellery, a passion she has pursued since 2008 and which she will be sharing with the FEDISA^TM students in the newly developed 2D & 3D Design course. In addition to her lecturing duties at FEDISA^TM, Ms Avvakoumides is also the Course Coordinator for FEDISA's^tm Short Course Programmes and part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team.

Arzelle van der Merwe

Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies

Having completed a BTech Degree in Fashion Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2005, Ms Van der Merwe was also awarded the Freudenburg Prize, for Most Technically Advanced Collection, in her final year of study. She worked in the activewear industry as patternmaker, grader and fabric originator for ladies golf, swim and dancewear. She also completed a course in photography and lighting design while simultaneously establishing her own evening, dance and bridal wear studio, which she continues to run for an exclusive clientele.

Ms Van der Merwe joined FEDISA^TM in 2007 as a junior lecturer, on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme under Ms Retief. In 2009 she took on the role of mentor herself, with the guidance of FEDISA's^tm senior staff. A role she has continued for FEDISA's^tm new junior staff. Ms Van der Merwe, or Miss A as she is known to the students, is involved in the Clothing Technology, Communication & Social Studies and Computer Aided Design courses of FEDISA's^tm BA: Fashion Design degree programme. She is also head of 2nd year Technology.

Miss A, as she is known on campus, liaises on the production of fashion shows for FEDISA^TM, most recently in association with Cavendish Square & the J&B Met and is part of 'back-of-house' at the annual FEDISA^TM Graduate Collection shows.

Ms Van der Merwe is coordinator of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team.

Nicoll Rennie

Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies

Ms Rennie completed her BTech degree in Fashion Design at the Durban University of Technology in 2008. During her studies she designed and styled for several marketing and design companies, and also developed a following of private clients. She has worked part-time in retail and completed additional courses in Fashion Buying and Merchandising, as well as Business Management while pursuing her formal degree.

Ms Rennie relocated to Cape Town in 2009 to join FEDISA's^tm academic team on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme. She is currently refining her design education competencies as a junior lecturer in Pattern and Clothing Technology and Design in the foundation year of FEDISA's^tm BA: Fashion Design degree programme. Ms Rennie is also part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team.

Danielle Hartman

Junior Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies

Ms Hartman completed her National Diploma in Fashion Design from the Cape Technikon in 2004, with a two-year tour of the United Kingdom, working in publishing as a graphic designer. Upon her return to South Africa she pursued a career in fashion, designing underwear and sleepwear for a leading South African retailer.

Ms Hartman joined the FEDISA^TM team, as junior lecturer on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme at the start of 2010 and is also part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team.

Tatum Kelly

Lecturer: Computer Aided Design

Tatum Kelly relocated to Cape Town in 2007 to join FEDISA^TM as lecturer in Visual Studies. Graduating cum laude with an Honours Degree in Fashion Design from Wits Technikon in 2002. Ms Kelly was also awarded the Technikon Medal for Outstanding Achievement in her final year of study.

Ms Kelly worked as a freelance designer, patternmaker and grader, a passion, which she continues to pursue, before starting her lecturing career in Fashion Design, first at Damelin and then at Design School Southern Africa in Johannesburg.

Since 2009 Ms Kelly has shared her expertise in Visual Studies with the students at FEDISA^TM and continues to develop the student body through Computer Aided Design.

Lucia Uhlikova

Junior Lecturer: Technology & Visual Studies

Ms Uhlikova joined FEDISA^TM in 2011 as junior lecturer in Technology and Visual Studies on the FEDISA^TM Staff Mentorship Programme.

A gifted design professional, Ms Uhlikova has an instinctive affinity for transferring her knowledge to students. She is also a graduate of FEDISA^TM, holding a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design and was the winner of the 2009 Cape Town Sewing Centre Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement during her final year.

Ms Uhlikova is also part of the FEDISA^TM Brand Ambassador Team.

Lolita Gqeba

Secretary & Receptionist

Ms Gqeba joined FEDISA^TM in 2010 as secretary & receptionist.

Ms Gqeba has a great interest in public relations, event planning and brand management, and is pursuing a degree part-time in this area. She has worked as an event coordinator for conferences and exhibitions and her project management abilities are proving to be a great asset to her duties at FEDISA^TM.

Bomvana Roy Zweni

Maintenance Supervisor

Having honed his craft in the maintenance industry through BERCO South Africa, Mr Zweni joined FEDISA^TM at its inception in 2005, working as the institute's maintenance supervisor. Mr Zweni's responsibilities include the maintenance and upkeep of the FEDISA^TM studios, as well as the set-up and striking of the institutes' numerous exhibitions.