To promote and strengthen relations between the Co-operative Education unit and its stakeholders, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted the Industry Awards ceremony on Friday, 12 April 2023, at the Golden Horse Casino in Pietermaritzburg.

The DUT Co-Operative Education unit; Applied Management; Public Management, Law & Economics; and the Ecotourism Department at the Riverside Campus in Pietermaritzburg, invited companies, DUT staff, students and various external stakeholders to the event. DUT wanted to thank those who had been working closely with the university in placing students for Work Integrated Learning (WIL).

Co-operative Education is an integrated approach to higher education which combines academic learning with associated workplace experience achieved via the relationship between the university, its students, industry and the community. Industry includes all sectors of commerce and industry as well as small business and the informal sector and regional, provincial and state departments.

Welcoming the guests was Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean of Faculty of Management Sciences. He shared that DUT was privileged to have 65 companies making sure that the students not only learn theory, but they also do practical. “I appreciate the work done by the Co-Operative Education department in making sure that work integrated learning is optimised and that the relationship between DUT and stakeholders keeps getting nourished and expanded. I also appreciate all the organisations who continue to assist DUT in teaching and embracing our students,” said Prof Netswera.

Addressing the attendees, the Acting Director of the Co-Operative Education Unit, Dr Themba Msukwini, who highlighted the importance of the partnership between DUT and stakeholders and shared the functions of Co-Operative education. “We provide leadership such as policy, we coordinate WIL and private opportunities. We have a database of CV’s if your company wants to place our students. The Co-operative Education includes liaison between the University, employers, professional bodies & societies and other relevant organisations, including student bodies,” he said.

Head of Department: Ecotourism, Dr Nsizwazikhona Chili, added that the role played by the stakeholders is significant because it helps the youth become employable. “By 2030 we intend to produce students who are innovative, creative and are critical thinkers. We plead that whatever we do must change the other person for the better. Our intention is to plough back to the community which is social change,” he said.

Caption: DUT stakeholders excited after receiving awards at the Industry Awards ceremony.

Photographer: Mnqobi Ngobese

Patience Makhaye