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DUT TRAINS STUDENTS ON KEYS TO EXCELLENCE

DUT TRAINS STUDENTS ON KEYS TO EXCELLENCE

The office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Research Innovation and Engagement has worked with IQRAA TRUST and the Young Leaders Academy (YLA) to pilot a new training programme called Keys to Excellence. The training was designed by the Young Leaders Academy and IQRAA TRUST fully funded the pilot session with the students.

The programme was originally called the Keys to Excel in Your Education and Career, and it is aimed at addressing the challenges brought about by COVID-19 and equipping students with a variety of learning skills, including critical thinking; inventing; innovation, complex problem solving, mental agility, people management, emotional intelligence; communication and persuasion skills, as well as self-learning.

The training programme was conducted online on Microsoft Teams and was attended by over 60 students who were selected from over 600 applications received. The duration of the course is 16 hours (16 X 1-hour lessons), and it was conducted in two hour sessions over eight days during the month of July 2021.

During the first day of training, Dr Mahmoud Youssef Baker, the Chairman of IQRAA TRUST attended the welcome session. He welcomed the students and thanked them for their participation in the programme.

“Following the success with the Leadership and Workplace Readiness Training Programme, we are very pleased to introduce a complementary programme which focused on preparing students for workplaces in the 4IR. The new programme which is called The Keys to Excel In Your Education and Career is designed to enhance the learning skills of students. We are also considering adding a short course to the programme to cover my favourite topic on Good citizenship,” he said.

He also thanked the YLA for their assistance and support in developing the training programme and encouraging the students to attend the full training so to receive the full benefit.

Representing Professor Sibusiso Moyo the DVC Research Innovation and Engagements’ office was Ms Phumzile Xulu. Ms Xulu also welcomed students and acknowledged them for their interest in the training. She also thanked the IQRAA TRUST and the YLA for their support in making sure that students have access to skills training programmes of this nature.

“The soft skills like critical thinking and emotional intelligence are the critical skills that will set one apart and above the rest. I am glad that all students attending this training course will get to learn how to develop these skills,” she said.

The training was planned to start on the 12 July 2021, but due to the riots and violence that broke out in the province during that week, a decision was taken to postpone the start to 19 July 2021, which ended on 27 July 2021.

The training received very good feedback from students. One student shared on the evaluation form that she had learnt a lot of lessons that she can take with in her everyday life.

Sharing her experience is Ms Nompumelelo Chili, a Master of Engineering student at DUT in the Electronic and Computer Engineering Department, researching towards the Analysis of Precoding Schemes for massive MIMO, one of the components of 5G.

She said that the reason she chose to participate in this training was that as a researcher, she wanted to acquire more leadership skills in preparation for the Industrial or Academic workplace and to be able to identify the soft skills she possesses and where to improve.

Some of the topics and contents delivered a vivid message. She resonated with all of the lessons taught.

“The challenges provided during training required one to truly examine and diagnose oneself as doctors do in the Surgeries and X-Rays. Looking at the Bigger Picture, the Box Top made me realise that even a small piece of the puzzle is important, I need to realise my role and contribute to the organisation. How to make a good CV and how to prepare for an interview? The effective communication skills as in the Tappers and Listeners. I know the kind of a leader I am and I know where to improve. The importance of critical thinking and problem solving. Practical examples shared painted a clear picture. I also learnt that it is crucial to support your statements,” she said.

She also thanked Advocate Vahed and Mr Rodney Frank for the training provided.

“It has been an eye-opener, and I was able to find myself. I now know the kind of a leader I am, and I know where to improve, mostly in building relationships. I am also aware that I build a brand, my reputation, every day. I now need to build one with purpose. I learnt a better way of presenting. The way you presented this training taught me presentation skills. I am looking forward to my next presentation to showcase my skill,” she said.

She relayed that she also learnt that she needed to continue to train her brain, and learn new things every day.

“I must adapt to new technology as I am a ‘Digital Native’ and be like a ‘SWISS KNIFE’, while creativity is key. I will always remember that good preparation yields excellent results, remembering that not preparing is indeed a preparation for failure,” she said.

Chili recommended that other students seize this opportunity and attend the training.

“I find it to be informative, knowledgeable and beneficial. Certainly, by the end of the course, you will know whether you are in the right career path or career change is looming. It is never too late to find your passion and follow it,” she said.

All students who attended the full training over eight days will receive a certificate of attendance.

Pictured: Nompumelelo Chili, one of the students who attended the Keys to Excellence Training.

Waheeda Peters

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