11 February 2009
Women, Work and Learning, presented by Dr Jenny Horsman

The Cooperative Education Unit hosted community-based literacy theorist, educator and researcher, Dr Jenny Horsman as part of her series of seminars held throughout the country to highlight the impact of violence in relation to work and learning.

Dr Horsman has more than thirty years experience in the adult literacy field in England, Sierra Leone and Canada.

About 130 delegates from tertiary institutions, industry and community-based organisations fighting against violence of women and children were invited to engage Dr Horsman on this crucial issue.
Canadian-based Dr Horsman related that her on-going research on women and literacy has led her to believe that in the presence and the aftermath of violence, many people struggle to learn new ideas and skills.

It is estimated that one out of six women in South Africa are in abusive relationships. One is killed by her partner every six days. A woman is raped every 26 seconds and a shocking 80 percent of rural women are victims of domestic violence.

These realities will impact on family and work life and will have a detrimental effect on the youth.
Chairperson of SAQA and international academic, Professor Shirley Walters said that more interactive seminars like this one was essential to highlight the impact of violence in relation to work and learning.

“Since 1994, we have favourable policy environments for attaining lifelong learning. Therefore it is essential to ensure the education and training of women assists them to become leaders in their communities, families, government and workplaces.”

For more information on Violence and Learning visit: www.learningandviolence.net

20 February 2009
Inaugural Launch of “New Perspectives in People Management”, a book by Thami Msubo

A PASSION to share knowledge is what inspired Thami Msubo, the Chief HR Officer of TATA Steel KZN to write his book “New Perspectives in People Management.”

The book’s inaugural launch took place at DUT’S Ritson Road Hotel School Restaurant.

Professor Theo Andrews, Acting Deputy Vice-chancellor Academic, in introducing Mr Msubo, reminded guests that South Africa and indeed the world is truly undergoing a dramatic change in climate, in economics and in student and employee expectations.

It was in this context Human Resources become even more relevant and critical.
The publication is the result of Mr Msubo’s eighteen years of experience in the HR field both internationally and locally.

It addresses the cutting edge issues that besiege management of people in the twenty-first century.
“As you train, you empower, but you also create an expectation of progress, in promotion, and of advancement.

“And this is where the human resource comes in, in ensuring growth in competencies, in managing careers and in ensuring that expectations are not unreasonably rampant,” said Mr. Msubo.

28 March 2009
ITEC Day

The South-South relationship between India and South Africa was visibly demonstrated during a well attended ITEC Day 2009 held at DUT’s famed Hotel School Restaurant.

ITEC which is the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation is one of the largest skills development program in the world and is fully financed by the Indian Government.

It allows recipients from 156 countries to participate in a wide range of short courses including Agriculture, IT, Human Resources and Communications, etc. The period of study range from six weeks to six months and includes international flights, accommodation, tuition and meals.

The event was graced by India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr Rajiv Kumar Bhatia; India’s Consul General for Durban, Mr. H.V Shringla; DUT Chancellor, Ms. Ela Gandhi; Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Prof. Theo Andrews and a large number of alumni and academics.

Dr Laverne Samuels, Director of DUT’s Department of International Education and Partnership (IEP), who facilitated the evening as programme director, warmly welcomed the delegates.

He said this event was hosted in collaboration with the Consul General of India, IEP, Co-operative Education Unit (DUT).

In his address, Mr H.V. Shringla, said this year ITEC was offering between 50 and 70 intensive short courses.

“These courses are unique and targeted to middle executives and are short and incisive to assist these participants when they return to their place of work.

”About sixty countries will benefit from this program.”

29 April 2009
Historical Tri-lateral Alliance formed at DUT

DUT was honoured when its Chiefs of Staff met with a high-ranking delegation from the Indian Navy (IN) and similar representatives from the South African Navy (SAN).

The purpose of the meeting was to determine and measure the needs of the SAN and how it can be addressed through an intervention by DUT.

Professor Annelie Jordaan, Acting Deputy Vice-chancellor of Technology, Innovations and Partnerships (TIP) said, “This meeting further positions and defines DUT as a UoT.”

Capt. Colin Johnson, Departmental Head of Maritime Studies guided the delegation on a tour showcasing his department’s Navigation Simulator Labs and Computer facilities.

The South African Navy’s Captain Neil Watts, together with Commander Basson Goussard and Lieutenant. Commander Angelo Manuel joined DUT in welcoming the Indian Delegation.

“I want to emphasise the strong relationship we both have with DUT,” Capt. Watts told the IN Delegation.
He then outlined some of the shortcoming his navy was experiencing especially the critical shortage of skills such in the engineering discipline.

Following the meeting, DUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Roy du Pre hosted the Indian and South African Navy Delegations at a reception dinner at the Ushaka Marine World.

Prof. du Pre together with the Vice-Admiral and Capt. Watts commended Mr. Shakeel Ori, Director of the Co-operative Education Unit for conceptualising and facilitating the event.

03 June 2009
A Colloquium on Work and Learning – Challenges for Skills Development

IN wake of uncertainty over recent developments in the Further, Higher Education and Labour landscapes, the Cooperative Education Unit at DUT hosted a day long colloquium at the ICC in Durban.

This brought together all stakeholders, including the SETAs, UoT’s and Industry representatives.

“The objective of the colloquium was to provide an interactive forum for commerce and industry partners to raise their concerns over education and training in the workplace and skills development in general,” explained the Director of Cooperative Education Unit, Mr Shakeel Ori.

A deep concern expressed was the recent proposals by the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA) to downgrade or even remove the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) component from its qualifications.
In her welcome address, Deputy Vice-chancellor of Institution Support, Prof. N Gawe, reiterated the importance of skills development.

“We must take this issue seriously as it is a matter of economic development and growth for the country as a whole.

“I’m glad to see that DUT’s Cooperative Education Unit has taken the initiative to engage in this manner which continues to highlight these issues,” she said.

SASCE Vice-president, Mr Brian Forbes spoke on the significance of WIL in cooperative education.
He told the 130 delegates that WIL provided academic institutions the opportunity to engage with community and industry to ensure learners are given an enhanced learning experience.
“This is paramount as it equips students with the necessary skills to enter the workplace,” he emphasised.

The meeting was given much credibility when industry partner Dave Meintjies, Technical Training Specialist of Bell Equipment, sincerely and eloquently set the scene from an industry perspective.
The outcome of the colloquium was a resolution which provides a 360 degree view of all critical factors in the equation.

The resolution targeted important stakeholders which included government, tertiary institutions, Professional Bodies, the learner and industry.

The following emerged:

Government
Institutions and partners should engage more actively in the finalisation of the HEQF to become more relevant

Institutions
Redefine Role of UoT’s
Formal structured program for WIL for institutions of HE
Consultation with Industry in respect of programs designed and developed through various mechanisms e.g. advisory Boards, Liaison Committees and Professional Bodies
Develop close collaboration with stakeholders
Holistic development of students for work placements
Co-op education needs to be strengthened and promoted as core performance areas
Closer collaboration as partners between HE and FETs sectors for seamless articulation
Widening the concept of WIL to include RPL
Placement of students in industry is to be the responsibility of institutions

Learners
Develop and profile students for the work environment
Develop and enhance core competencies of learners
Developing a structured industry acceptance criteria i.e. produce accepted norms that students understand

Industry
Collaborate with key stakeholders
Commit to develop and enhance WIL
Actively collaborate and participate in structures like Advisory Boards
Support structures
Closer collaboration with support structure like Seats, saqa; sgbs, asgisa
Broaden UoT’s to include universities

04 August 2009
“Re-discovering, Re-inventing & Re-building Manufacturing in the Knowledge Economy”
The case of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC) & its Offspring, the Austin Polytechnical Academy

Presented by Dan Swinney

Durban University of Technology, together with Trade and Investment KZN hosted American Social Activitist, Mr Dan Swinney from the 1 to 6 August in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay.
Mr. Swinney is recognised as a guru in the “renaissance of manufacturing.”
His opening remarks at his DUT talk, held at the Hotel School, set an interesting tone on being in Durban.

“I fell almost like I am in Chicago – it just shows how close the developed world is becoming to the developing world.

Mr Swinney is the Executive Director of the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council which is a not-for-profit consulting and research organization that specializes in developing innovative and effective High Road approaches to community development, industrial job retention, workforce education, and business development.

In short, “how the manufacturing sector can develop an economy.”
Vice-chancellor Professor Roy du Pre said Mr. Swinney’s visit was significant as some of his ideas and models resonated with that of a UoT.
Mr. Swinney achieved celebrity status when Barack Obama, whilst on his campaign trail in 2007, praised one of the CMRC projects, the Austin Polytechnical Academy.
At the time, President Obama told the American nation, “That’s the kind of model we’ll replicate across the country when I’m president of the United States.”

Obama said his proposed Innovative Schools Fund “will invest in schools like the Austin Polytechnical Institute. “And thanks to a partnership with a number of companies, a curriculum that prepares students for a career in engineering...Austin Polytech is bringing hope back to the community,” he said.

For Director of Cooperative Education Unit, Mr Shakeel Ori, this tour by Mr Swinney is a realisation of a long-term wish. They met in 2007 in the United States.

“South Africa, and especially DUT, can only benefit from innovative thinkers like this,” said Mr. Ori.

Mr. Swinney was also hosted in Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay in collaboration with the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Commerce and the Zululand Chamber of Commerce respectively.

06-07 August 2009
World of Work Careers Fair

Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Ritson Road Campus was buzzing with thousands of students who flocked to this year’s World of Work (WOW) Career’s Fair held on 6-7 August.

WOW is a university-industry partnership which allows students and industry to engage on employment issues. This gives students a chance to find out what employment opportunities are available; where they are available and conditions of service, etc.

The Cooperative Education Unit facilitates this event which provides a platform for students to find out about their respective careers rather than going to individual companies which is timely and costly.
This year 42 companies participated.

Some of the companies that exhibited included Toyota SA, SARS, South African Dept of Defence, Dimension Data, The Hilton Hotel, Durban, SA Breweries, Rainbow Chicken, Eskom, Whirlpool, Edcon, Southern Sun Hotels and Merseta, Chieta and EDTP Seta.
“The fact that WOW is showing significant growth proves that this is popular with both the students and our participating companies,” said DUT’s Cooperative Education Director, Mr. Shakeel Ori.

“And despite the recession, there are numerous opportunities for deserving students to obtain bursaries and internships,” he added.

Comments from participating companies:

“We are encouraged by the type of questions students are asking. They seem very headstrong and motivated to pursue the job market,” HR Business Partner at SARS, Leona du Plessis.

“Students have shown a lot of interest in the Forensic Science field and therefore we decided to participate again at WOW. We are hoping to attract the Chemistry students,” Senior Superintendant of SAPS Forensics, Pravesh Khelawanlall.

“We are targeting the Bio-Medical Technology students, more specifically the 2nd and 3rd year students. We are offering bursaries and internships and thus far the interest has been phenomenal,” marketing spokesperson for National Health Laboratory Health Services, Joe Smelt.

“It’s the first time we are exhibiting and already we have a lot of responses from prospective graduates regarding our internship programs. We have branches all over the country and job opportunities are open in the field of Finance, IT and Bulk Management,” Grindrod International HR Officer, Kribashni Govender.

“A lot of interest from all fields of students. However, at the moment we are only offering training programs for Engineering students and if they show potential, our company is prepared to sponsor their BTech program,” Tongaat Huletts Engineer in Training, Msizi Nzama.

“As we are in the manufacturing industry, we are targeting all students from Finance to Supply Chain Management. DUT is one of our main source of in-service trainees,” Apollo Tyre SA Logistics spokesperson Zuko Mcidokwe.

“At the moment we are branding ourselves by letting the students know who we are and what we have to offer. We are looking at the 3rd year IT and BTech students who are interested in Software Solutions,” Adapt IT HR Manager Ronita Chetty.

“The hospitality and tourism market is wide and we are here to attract students interested in this field. We offer a six month learnership to deserving students,” Southern Sun Hotels spokesperson Marilyn Govinden.

“Distell has internships and bursaries on offer to eligible students and we are here to recruit directly,” Distell Employment Equity Manager Thato Seloane.

18 August 2009
Launch of Chinese Film Festival

The Co-operative Education Unit and the International Office collaborated with the Chinese Consulate in Durban to Launch the First Chinese Film Festival on 18 August 2009.

The launch took place at the DUT’s hotel school Conference centre, where a high calibre of delegates, diplomats and foreign ambassadors gathered in celebration of the festival launch.

Among the delegates present, were the Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Mr Logie Naidu, Chinese Consul-General Mr Liu Yantao, Prof. Gawe - DVC Institutional support, to name a few.

The festival is scheduled to run for four weeks, show-casing China’s talent in Cinematography. A total of twelve Chinese films are to be screened at DUT campuses both in Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

The purpose of the festival is to showcase the Chinese film industry to the South African Community whilst strengthening cultural relations. The vision is for both cultures to exchange information and ideas, understand cultural diversity and relate to challenges that face both communities. This was further endorsed by the involvement and pro-activeness shown by our very own Chinese Post Graduate student, Miss Mia Zheng, who stepped up to the plate in programme directing the launch.

Miss Zheng joined DUT in 2006 as a B-Tech student, now studying towards obtaining her Master’s in Public Relations Management. The office of Prof. Jordaan, DVC of Technology, Innovation & Partnership at DUT has offered Ms Zheng a year’s graduate assistantship programme. This allows her to interact and participate in our community, exchanging information and ideas, understanding and acknowledging both cultures.