In conjunction with the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA), the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Co-operative Education Department hosted the Employability Improvement Project (EIP) Certificate Presentation Luncheon at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel in Durban, last week.

Since 2017, DUT’s Co-operative Education Department has been responsible for running the Employability Improvement Project (EIP) funded through DHET and the National Skills Fund (NSF) and in collaboration with the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

The workshops are held to enhance staff and trainees with skills to address the needs of the 21st-century employment demands, and are offered to students as part of their work-readiness as well as to academic staff (train the trainer). In addition, the Co-op department has also run the programme with external partners like SAA.

In attendance at the presentation of the EIP certificates and lunch were JICA’s Sarama Tsunoda, Tomoko Kawakita, Sawada Keiko, Professor Sibusiso Moyo-DVC of Research, Innovation and Engagement, DUT staff, students, SAA and Alpine Motors staff.

Prof Moyo thanked DUT’s industry partners and Co-op’s Jay Paramanund and Director of Co-operative Education at DUT, Shakeel Ori, and his team for their dedication and hard work in running the programme.

“For DUT, employability is a key issue and since technology, business, and life styles have been changing globally, employability has been increasing its value and recognition as never before. We at DUT want to make sure that our students are employable and are able to be innovative entrepreneurs,” she said.

Co-operative Education Employability Improvement Plan Coordinator, Jay Paramanund, said overall the training and attendance went very well and that the 102 participants, which includes DUT staff and industry representatives, enjoyed the training. Also, he added that 1197 students had also passed the training which was also very good.

Director of Co-operative Education at DUT, Shakeel Ori, added that many DUT staff and students have benefitted from the EIP training and the department hopes to continue their fruitful relationship with JICA and their industry partners.

Pictured: Professor Sibusiso Moyo-DVC of Research, Innovation and Engagement and JICA’s Sarama Tsunoda, Tomoko Kawakita, Sawada Keiko, at the event.

Waheeda Peters