UJ PGCE cum laude graduate aspires to make a difference in education

Aygul holds a BA degree in Psychology and a PGCE which she graduated with cum laude Friday, 27 March 2015. The bright young lady is an international student hailing from Bulgaria. The 24 year old is currently employed by UJ as a Senior Tutor and Teaching Assistant in the PGCE course at Auckland Park Kingsway Campus (APK). She holds 3 years of tutoring experience at the UJ across various modules within her specialisation.

The graduate’s current phase of study is A BEd Honours in Educational Psychology. Aygul is ambitious and has high aspirations for her career: “I wish to apply a highly academic and practical approach to Educational Psychology by making a difference to the field. Using thorough academic research, enhancing practices and approaches in Educational Psychology within the South African and international context.”

Challenges encountered during her academic journey were the interpretation of high academic content in her first years of study. She overcame this quite easily through consistent and self-regulated learning in conjunction with a serious and highly academic approach and attitude. Despite the challenges encountered Aygul describes her academic journey at UJ as an exciting and challenging journey which yielded many successes.

The cum laude graduate believes her qualification is vital to South Africa’s development. “There is a high number of individuals who are in need of support through an Educationally Psychological approach. In order to approach needs within this particular sphere, revised approaches and appropriate application of existing approaches can benefit members in need within the various domains of human functioning and development.”