Yâchal du Plessis from the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently returned from an insightful academic exchange in Germany, where she served as a facilitator for the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme hosted by Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) Ravensburg. The international initiative united over 30 students and lecturers from Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and South Africa, to co-develop innovative solutions for a local animal sanctuary.
The five-day programme was rooted in Design Thinking methodology and aimed to support Birkenweilerhof, a sanctuary that provides lifelong care for rescued animals and promotes responsible animal interaction among youth. Students, working in multidisciplinary teams across fields such as Tourism Management, Automation and Robotics, Informatics and International Business, were tasked with developing creative yet practical strategies to enhance the sanctuary’s fundraising and sponsorship efforts.
Guiding students through this journey was Du Plessis, who played a pivotal role in facilitating intercultural collaboration and steering participants through the various phases of the Design Thinking process. From linking the sanctuary to online donation platforms to crafting volunteer recruitment plans and social media engagement strategies, students created valuable solutions with real-world potential and purpose.
“The project offered students a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a non-profit cause while gaining hands-on experience in innovation, teamwork and social impact,” Du Plessis said. “It also underscored the incredible value of intercultural exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement. These are all elements that are aligned with the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy.”
The success of the programme has already sparked exciting developments. Du Plessis and her international counterparts from JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and Fontys International Business School (Netherlands) are now collaborating on student-led, grassroots-level community development projects. These initiatives aim to extend the impact of Erasmus+ beyond the classroom and into global communities.
Additionally, the facilitation team is co-authoring an academic paper titled “Teaching Without Borders: A Critical Enquiry into Cross-Continent Co-Facilitation,” which will reflect on their shared experiences of teaching and learning across diverse cultural and geographical landscapes.
Fabian Girod, Senior Lecturer at Fontys and Director of the Betterideas Company, praised Du Plessis’ contribution, saying: “Yâchal’s strengths are facilitation skills and the talent to manage diverse and intercultural teams. It was a pleasure to work with her.”
This unique collaboration not only elevated DUT’s presence on a global academic stage but also inspired new approaches to teaching and facilitation that Du Plessis is excited to bring back to DUT and share with local students and colleagues. “This experience strengthened my skills and completely shifted my mindset,” she reflected. “It challenged what I thought I knew and showed me powerful new ways to bring out the best in diverse teams. I’m excited to take these insights back to the South African academic landscape and my work at DUT.”
Du Plessis also added, “my deepest gratitude goes to Professor Dr. Thomas Dobbelstein, for not only making this academic exchange possible but for being a very rare kind of academic and professional, whose vast knowledge is matched by his warmth, his zest for life and his sense of humour. His support was the catalyst that expanded my horizons, transformed my thinking and ultimately, changed the direction of my career. I will carry the lessons I’ve learned from him for a lifetime.”
Pictured: (Left to right) Facilitation team, Rosita Röntynen (JAMK University of Applied Sciences – Finland), Yâchal du Plessis (DUT), Fabian Girod (Fontys International Business School – Netherlands) and Prof Dr. Thomas Dobbelstein (DHBW – Germany).
Alan Khan
