“VUT’s International Information Day brought international organisations and campus services together to connect students with opportunities and support.”
22 October 2026 | Story by: Sadiki Siphiwe Setshwantsho: Siphephelo Dlamini
Nako ea ho bala metsotso e 2.
Students at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) explored international opportunities and campus support services during the International Information Day held on 14 October 2026 outside the Desmond Tutu Great Hall.
Hosted by the Internationalisation Department under the guidance of Mr Siya Kohli, Manager: Internationalisation, the event brought external organisations and university departments together to share information on educational pathways, academic exchange, healthcare and student development.
Students engaged directly with exhibitors, asked questions and explored resources that could support their studies and future careers.
“Internationalisation is about opening doors for our students, broadening their perspectives and helping them understand the opportunities available to them locally and internationally,” said Mr Kohli.
He encouraged students to take an active role in seeking information and exploring possibilities beyond the classroom.
“Students should not wait for opportunities to find them. They must be willing to ask questions, engage with different organisations and explore the possibilities available to them,” he said.
External exhibitors included the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the German Academic Exchange Service’s Information Centre Johannesburg, Universal Healthcare, Universal Healthcare Services and the Alpvest Institute for FutureTech. Their participation connected students with information spanning international education, healthcare and emerging skills.
University participants included the Library, Student Counselling, Campus Clinic, Centre for Academic Development (CAD), Technology Transfer and Innovation Department (TTI), VUT FM, the French Southern African Schneider Electric Education Centre (FSACEC), and the Marketing and Communications Department.
These services highlighted the support available to students, from academic resources and personal well-being to innovation, technical skills and campus communication.
For Ms Muthwadzi Latani, a third-year Metallurgical Engineering student, the event offered a valuable opportunity to discover resources beyond her academic programme.
“The event was valuable because it gave us an opportunity to learn about organisations and services beyond our classrooms. As students, we are often focused on our academic work, but there are other opportunities and support structures that can help us grow, develop new perspectives and prepare for life after graduation,” she said.
Ms Latani added that meeting representatives directly made it easier to ask questions and understand how to access relevant opportunities.
The initiative supported VUT’s Strategy 2033+ through its emphasis on student development, partnerships and broader educational opportunities. Students were encouraged to follow up with exhibitors, seek guidance and pursue opportunities relevant to their academic and professional goals.