The International Education and Partnerships (IEP) unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), in conjunction with the BAT Centre, which is Durban’s premier Community Arts Centre, together with the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre, recently organised a dynamic workshop aimed at enhancing team dynamics and promoting social cohesion through intercultural exchange.
This informative and action-packed initiative involved students from various countries, including Zimbabwe, Germany, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, DRC, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Nigeria, among others. The participants engaged in a variety of tasks, competitions, and indigenous games designed to challenge their leadership and innovative skills.Some of the highlights include Creative You (Pairing Session) and Social Integration through Cultural Awareness (Music and Drumming).
Working collaboratively in groups, students unleashed their creative potential to produce joint projects, nurturing teamwork and offering avenues for innovative thinking. These activities enabled students to tackle challenges and communicate effectively across diverse cultural backgrounds.
Moreover, workshops and open dialogues delved into historical instances of genocide, shedding light on issues of prejudice, racism, and alienation. The aim was to foster tolerance and social integration, with discussions spanning topics such as the Rwanda genocide, racism, and xenophobia in South Africa, as well as intercultural competence.
Ms. Philiswayinkosi Mncube, the DUT International Students Relations Officer and event coordinator, emphasised the significance of cultivating leadership skills and promoting cultural diversity at DUT, aligning with our core institutional values.
“Such initiatives not only contribute to the development of tomorrow’s global leaders but also instil qualities that are distinct, impactful, and innovative,’’ she said.
Welcoming the students was the BAT Centre’s programmes manager, Kevin Gordon, emphasised the importance of culture and urged students to love themselves. “At this moment in time, cultural exchange is particularly important because people have ideas and perceptions of countries based on what media puts out. Students must also love themselves because what they are is their identity,’’ he said.
DUT third-year Architecture student, Julia Maposa from Zimbabwe said this was her first ISO event and she learned a lot.
“It was a wonderful experience. It was just a fun time I got to get out of my comfort zone. I was able to make friends. Learn how to greet people in their different languages and it was overall just great to be here,’’ she said.
This great initiative was proudly sponsored by the Dean of Students, Student Governance and Development, Students’ Medical Aid Services Providers, Momentum and Compcare.
Pictured: International Students at the DUT International Students’ Initiative for Social Cohesion and Team Building workshop held at the BAT Centre on Thursday 28 March 2024.
Vukani Langa
