The Durban University of Technology (DUT) School of Education staff, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) co-ordinators, mentors recently hosted a very productive mentorship workshop at the Southern Sun Conference Centre in Pietermaritzburg.

This workshop was aimed at discussing the progress of the WIL for their students, equip mentors on how to do their work as mentors and also to discuss ideas that can help equip students for the corporate world.

In her address to Mentors, Miss Elsie Khonyane: Midlands Campus WIL Coordinator said the aim of the Co-operative Education office was to see DUT students succeed in their chosen profession.

“We urge mentors to guide our students when they are in the workplace and doing their WIL because at the end of the day we really want to see them doing wonders and becoming highly commendable professionals,” she said.

Furthermore, she emphasised that professionalism at all times was important when work is concerned. “Sometimes you will find that a student is not aware that their conduct is not professional, they would behave in a manner that is unacceptable. If you encounter such challenges, inform us so we could address it with the concerned individual,” added Khonyane.

The workshop was also attended by school principals from various schools as well as lecturers from the School of Education. There were also fun exercises for the mentors and school representatives that highlighted the importance of each of these stakeholders’ roles in the production of excelling young professionals.

Pictured: School of Education Staff; Mr Cephas Makwara (Left), Dr. Hiralaal (Centre) and Ms. Khonyane (Right)

Ben Simelane