By: Qhawekazi  Memani – 23 February 2023

VUT Faculty Advisors together with the Student Counselling Support Services team and the CAD Learning Development Coordinator

“The Institution has a huge role to play in ensuring student success, however the students have to play their part as well. This includes being disciplined, responsible, dedicated, and hard working. VUT is on the right track, the University has most of the programs implemented that enhance student success and these include academic advising, mentorship, to name a few.” said Sanele Nxumalo, Engineering Faculty Advisor.

In addition to a well organised week-long orientation programme that took place at the University from 20-24^th February 2023, the Academic Advising Unit of the Centre for Academic Development (CAD) faculty advisors in collaboration with the Student Counselling and Support Services team  offered success workshops for all new Vaal University of Technology (VUT) students.

The workshops were all conducted at the VUT Desmond Tutu Great Hall.

The success workshops were aimed at giving students the knowledge and abilities they need to succeed at the university.

According to Mothusi Samosamo, CAD Learning Development Coordinator, there is no quick fix for success, therefore the workshops seek to empower students while enabling them to identify and apply academic habits and soft skills in a deeper understanding that will at the end of the day fulfil their purpose of being at VUT.

Planning for the upcoming semester, academic tips, guidance on mental health difficulties and what to expect in therapy or counselling were all covered in the workshop’s proceedings.

One of the students who attended the workshop, Refilwe Olifant, an Internal Auditing first year student said: “I found the workshop very interesting and thoughtful. I have gained information that I know will benefit me now and in the future.”