VUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CENTRE FOR ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT HOST SUCCESSFUL WORKSHOP FOR INTERNSHIP STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR WIL PROGRAMME
By Qhawekazi Memani 10 June 2022
Attendees of the workshop
In pursuit of its higher education institution mandate, VUT)’s Community Engagement department held a two-day Workshop for Internship Students that have completed their Work -Integrated Learning (WIL) programme. The was event held on 30th and -31st May 2022 at the Centre for Academic Development (CAD) Auditorium.
Ms. Modiehi Morakile (Community Engagement Project Manager), and Mr. Sipho Nkosi (CAD Coordinator), together with the participants from the VUT Student Support Services, played crucial roles in ensuring the success of the programme.
The event aimed to enhance the skills of artists and creatives around the Vaal to be on par with current trends and patterns in the marketing industry space.
Background
Explaining the background to the event, Ms Morakile said the Creative Marketing Initiative includes community members and a group of creative artists in various areas of the Vaal and came about when “the structure approached the Community Engagement department for assistance and submitted a concept document for this purpose”.
She emphasized the importance of roles played the following stakeholders:
- Internship Students who completed their WIL programme
- Student Support Services (trained by Internationally recognized organizations, such as Value Ed Chief Executive Officer: Mr Vikela Rankin), and
- Partners from a collective called: All Things Social.
“Ultimately, Internship students will work with different creatives through mentorship and coaching programmes that will enable them to apply their academic expertise, whilst learning how things are done in the real world”, she said.
Commenting on the impact of the workshop, Morakile took the audience down memory lane. “Back in the days, VUT had cultural movements, and the use of creativity in those movements helped former students who are now prominent artists to tap into their gifts and crafts while studying. Times have now changed. I have personally have been trying to showcase my work virtually and have been experiencing a few challenges with the digital world, but this workshop has been an eye-opener,” she said.
The Creative Industry has a history of leaving footprints towards a favourable social order.
In his welcoming address, CAD Coordinator, Sipho Nkosi explained that VUT used to participate in Arts Festivals and the institution has produced many renowned artists and has won multiple art awards.
Guest Speaker, Mr Vikela Rankin, said: “Working and learning is the future. Integrate what’s out there with what you are learning. Plant seeds early, unlearn the idea that you deserve, so you should automatically have, and rather learn new ways to fulfil what you are doing and commercialize it. In essence, master your art while learning. Engineer it until it becomes a global phenomenon.”
Director of Student Life and Governance, Mr Vhugala Nthakheni extended a word of gratitude to the participants and explained that the initiative by the Community Engagement department is in line with the University’s mission statement in the aspect of growing entrepreneurs who can make an impact in the community and is an opportunity to learn how to improve and maximize opportunities.
“The seminar has been very enriching; I have learnt a lot, and it’s been incredible to see how much talent we have at VUT. This calls for spaces for talent on campus where students can showcase their talents, and Student Support Services is committing to ensuring that this happens,” he said proudly.
The creative theatrical artists intend to host a festival of their shows at VUT, aimed at addressing critical social ills that affect the Vaal Region. This has been tabled as a tentative agreement by the Director of the Creative Artists, Mammatli Thakula-Nzuza.
Delivering closing remarks, Mr Joseph Radebe (Acting Director of Community Engagement), said he hopes that the event and planned initiatives will yield fruitful results. He reaffirmed his department’s participation and support throughout and encouraged everyone to invest their energy in the concept. Radebe also acknowledged the involvement and role played by VUT Interns who have completed their WIL qualification in the event.