Hlengiwe Mabizela, a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Coordinator at the Department of Public Management Law and Economics at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) was one of the attendees at the Women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics and Innovation (STEAMI) conference. The conference was held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) on Wednesday, 19 July 2023, by the Office of the DVE- RIE and the Department Chemistry
Mabizela was recognised as an outstanding FEMALE WIL Coordinator within the Faculty of Management Sciences. She shared that she was cordially invited to the event and was not aware that she was then going to be awarded with an award.
“Winning this award is such a great honour and it means a lot to me. I did not know who and how I got nominated at first, especially because our faculty is the biggest one in the university. Therefore, being recognised and appreciated for the work that I do in my own space meant a lot to me and that it simply means people are watching and appreciating me from the behind,” said Mabizela.
Mabizela’s role as the WIL coordinator is to facilitate work experiential learning duties and administration. This includes identifying and sourcing potential host organisation, student placements and monitoring. Maintaining partnerships with industry partners in different sectors, identifying funding for students. Mabizela explained that her work ethics and excellence is what got her to where she is now.
“I always ensure that I go an extra mile in doing what I do. This is evident in what the department has achieved since 2019 when I was appointed as WIL Coordinator.
“The department secured funding from the Public Service SETA for the very first time in history (in 2020 and 2022). We signed three Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs), with PSETA, the National Youth Development Agency and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. We hosted an Employers’ Appreciation Luncheon last year, and had achieved 100% placement every year. These are the most notable highlights that I can recall thus far,” she said.
Moreover, just like any other leader consistent with striving for excellence. Mabizela had challenges. For her, the biggest challenges she came across was the rising competition for WIL amongst universities, TVET colleges and other institutions implementing WIL.
“Currently, organisations, especially in the public sector/government are out of space and resources to accommodate more students. This then makes it difficult for students to complete their WIL on time,” she said.
Mabizela boldly overcame these issues maintaining a strong relationship with organisations. To do that, her department hosted a WIL Employer’s Luncheon last year to acknowledge and appreciate organisations for their support and mentoring DUT students on WIL.
Pictured: Hlengiwe Mabizela
Nikiwe Sukazi
