The Challenges of Dealing with Diverse Student Population at South African Institutions of Higher Education Residences and Their Impact on Students' Learning
South Africa has 11 official languages that are spoken at all universities. Moreover, minority languages are also spoken. Furthermore universities are forced to accommodate students from other countries which brings an issue of diverse student population to the fore. People working in Student Affairs at universities, particularly in residences, are faced with a problem of intergrating these students. More often than not the majority group would like to dominate others which often results in conflicts which ultimately impact on students learning. Such conflicts are often seen during social functions and elections of Student representative Councils.Itis therefore imperative to instill the culture of tolerance amongts students to accommodate other peoples'cultures and leave with them in harmony.This presentation will therefore come up with suggestions on how to implement a program which will assist Universities to deal with this problem in order to enhance student learning and create and environment that is coducive for all without discreminating each otherAn example of a case study of one of the South African universities will be used based on the experience of the presenter in this regard.
Keywords: Multicultutalism, Multiracialism, Diversity, Student Affairs, Universities
Dr. Morewane Edward Sedibe
Director, Student Affairs and Sport, North West University South Africa