REFLECTIONS ON THE CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY NEWLY APPOINTED ACADEMIC STAFF

The paper focuses on the challenges that are experienced by newly employed academics. The article seeks to awaken the conscience of those in the management positions to take charge of their responsibility. Management should take it upon them to ensure that these academics are properly taken care of, as means of ensuring that they are of high quality and competent. The challenges of the newly appointed academics were expressed by means of semi-structured interviews. Seven problem areas emerged from the data. Although investing in the new academics has been identified as a critical issue by HESA, towards the quality of academic provision and therefore the quality of graduates, there is still a problem in terms of implementing the necessary strategies necessary to actualize it. There are various recommendations that have been brought forward in an attempt to solve these challenges. They include creating of a more conducive work environment, proper orientation and induction of new academic staff, timely staff development workshops, developing a culture of collaboration in various aspects of academic life, mentoring and inclusion. Management may consider some of these to cultivate the next generation of high quality and competent academics.