Joy is one of the co-founders of IkamvaYouth and has been involved in all aspects of the organisation from the outset. Joy has an honours degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Education and Information and Communications Technology from the University of Cape Town. She (finally) began working full-time for IkamvaYouth in 2010. Previously, in addition to her role as Director of IkamvaYouth, she established TEACH South Africa in the Western Cape. Other work experience includes posts as a researcher at the University of the Western Cape, the Human Sciences Research Council and bridges.org. She has freelanced as a researcher, project manager, open educational resource developer, writer and editor in a range of projects with civil society, government and higher education partners. All her work is focused on redressing inequality and injustice in South Africa through promoting equal access to quality education and opportunities.
UCT master's student Thobela Bixa has won the prestigious Telluride Sidgwick-Miller Scholarship for 2011/2012, an award that will allow him to further his career at the University of Michigan in the US. Based in the Department of Chemistry, Bixa is conducting research on asymmetric synthesis, which involves the use of what's known as chiral catalysts to synthesise biologically active compounds that are potential drug leads. "The two projects (from UCT and UM) will give me a broader experience, understanding, and knowledge of asymmetric synthesis, a current hot topic in the field of organic chemistry research," commented Bixa on the scholarship. In picture, Bixa appears with his UCT supervisor, Prof Roger Hunter.
