Vision and Mission

Vision

To be an internationally recognised centre of excellence for teaching, learning and research in occupational therapy.

Mission

To this end, the 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 African context. Our undergraduate programme aims to produce enthusiastic professional and competent generalists while the postgraduate programmes develop competent occupational therapists with highly specialized skills and the ability to acquire evidence in developing the profession through unique scientific activities.
• Produce graduates and postgraduates who will be highly regarded both nationally and internationally.
• Attract a diverse group of students who are nurtured and mentored to become competent, critical thinkers, socially responsible 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 endeavours.
• 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 actively participating in the management, academic and social activities of the school, faculty and university.
• 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.
• Advocate, as professionals, for appropriate services, care and rights for all our clients in general and people with disabilities in particular.

Strategic aims and commitments

Strategic priorities

Over the next five years we will sustain our quality performance and continue to be valued as the university department that provides society with valued graduate and postgraduate occupational therapists. More specifically, we will focus on the following four strategic priorities:

1. To be research driven
   
   Our aim will be to develop an ethos that will enable us to achieve a reputation as a research driven department.  The department’s research focus will place us on the leading edge of our academic discipline so that we respond appropriately to national, continental and international research needs.  Our research will enrich our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
2. To develop high level and scarce skills (PG)
   
   We will aim to graduate leaders who are influential, and who will advance transformation within the profession.  We will build on our capacity to meet the occupational performance needs within the South African context. Our target will also be to grow our postgraduates significantly, through innovative teaching and learning methods. The goal is to produce pioneering professionals who will advance their respective fields of knowledge and practice.
   
   
3. To form strategic partnerships
   
   We will focus on developing and maintaining strategic partnerships that will make the department an active, committed, creative force that advances teaching and professional growth.  This engagement will position the department in society as a meaningful and responsive entity that makes a significant contribution to community development.
   
   
4. To develop intellectual achievement (undergraduates and postgraduates)
   
   We will attract a diverse student body, representative of race, socio-economic background and gender.  To achieve this aim we need to attract the most suited learners/students and facilitate the development of competent clinicians and the future occupational therapy leaders. The learning environment will stimulate academic performance and advance intellectual and professional skills.

One of the focus areas in which we wish to collaborate and develop intellectual achievement is in the field of occupational therapy education.  To this end, the Wits Department of Occupational Therapy is hosting an Occupational Therapy Education Symposium in 2023, which coincides with the Department's 80th birthday.