Makhosazane Buthelezi, a Durban University of Technology (DUT) lecturer in the Department of Marketing and Retail Management recently embarked on an educational venture to Germany.
Two third-year students majoring in Marketing and Retail, Divania Pillay and Sfanelo are also on a three month exchange experience in Germany, they are enrolled in a comprehensive study programme at the International Business School hosted by DHBW Ravensburg. Throughout their stay, they will delve into a diverse range of modules designed to provide them with a well-rounded understanding of various aspects of business.
Their coursework encompasses foundational subjects like German for beginners, offering them the opportunity to acquire language skills essential for effective communication in a German-speaking environment. DUT lecturer, Buthelezi teaches modules such as Applied Retailing, Retail Systems, Marketing, Theory and Practice of Selling, Retail Buying, and Logistics.
She explained that the DHBW Ravensburg and DUT have established a collaborative partnership, involving an annual visit by Professor Dobbelstein from Ravensburg University to DUT. Additionally, the Ravensburg University annually sends its students to DUT, where they enrol in various modules across the university’s two programmes. Moreover, there is a lecturer exchange programme, allowing DUT lecturers to visit DHBW Ravensburg.
Buthelezi went on to say that the academics and the student exchange programme is an initiative of the DUT Retail and Leadership Chair office in conjunction with the Wholesale and Retail SETA.
“The objective of the programme is to expose students to international studies in retail and marketing field and to further gain exposure to global trends in the sector and to afford students and academic practitioners in the sector to interface with international institutions and the private sector,” she said.
Buthelezi indicated that the experiences shared and gained can be filtered to fellow students and academics.
“The academic exchange programme is geared towards enhancing collaborative partnerships in research; teaching and learning and lecturer cross-pollination in programme delivery at the DHBW Ravensburg in Germany, a strong partner of DUT. The current visit cements the partnership with two students Ntini and Pillay spending three months at the Ravensburg University and myself spending two weeks there to enhance lecturer exchange programmes between our institutions,” she stressed.
Buthelezi elaborated that the Ravensburg University was identified as the teaching and learning model which is entrenched in work-based learning at a higher level and an experience in such an environment would present to beneficiaries of the programme different ways of teaching and learning.
“The DUT Retail and Leadership Chair, Yunus Doba, is confident that the exchange programme will add value to the participating beneficiaries in their respective academic journeys and feed into conversations in an evolving retail sector which has experienced seismic shifts influenced by online shopping,” she said.
Buthelezi spoke of her experience in Germany which was incredible.
“I have been exploring cities like Konstanz and Munich, and each has its own unique charm. I visited some historic sites like the (Mainau Island in Lake Constance) and English Garden, and I was just awestruck by the architecture and the stories behind them. The blend of modernity and history is seamlessly integrated into everyday life,” she replied.
Besides sightseeing, Buthelezi relayed that the food was delicious.
“From hearty sausages and pretzels to delicious schnitzels, I’ve been indulging in the most amazing German cuisine. The public transportation system is efficient, making it a breeze to navigate around the cities. Overall, my two-week experience in Germany has been nothing short of magical. The mix of history, culture, and the warmth of the people has made my days unforgettable,” added Buthelezi.
Buthelezi elaborated that within the framework of ENVISION2030, the engagement of students through international travel seamlessly aligns with the strategic goals outlined in the university’s visionary plan.
“From a Stewardship perspective, these engagements contribute to the cultivation of a global mindset and cultural intelligence, fostering an environment based on core values and principles. The experiences gained abroad directly support the strategic objectives of Lived Values and contribute to the development of an institutional culture grounded in diversity and openness. In terms of Systems and Processes, student travels abroad are integral to creating an enabling environment and promoting coordinated systems and processes across the institution. These international experiences align with the strategic objectives of innovative curricula and research, exposure to digital environments, and first-hand encounters with state-of-the-art infrastructure in diverse global settings,” she said.
Upon the students return they will present their experiences at a WRSETA Retail Chair Learning session which includes the Cape Peninsula University of Technology; University of Johannesburg and the Central University of Technology.
Pictured: Divania Pillay, DUT lecturer, Makhosazane Buthelezi, and Sfanelo Ntini, in Germany.
Waheeda Peters
