By: Qhawekazi Memani – 21 June 2024

On 19 – 20 June 2024, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) had the honour of hosting a special delegation from the Open University of Tanzania (OUT)’s Department of Geography, Tourism, and Hospitality Studies.

The visit aimed to strengthen and formalize a collaboration that OUT has with VUT through VUT’s Professor Kaitano Dube, a National Research Foundation (NRF) C2-rated researcher and associate professor of Tourism and Geography at VUT, which had already resulted in a Q1 research journal publication.

Due to the success of this collaboration, another envisaged positive spinoff, is a possible signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two universities, which is being steered by Mr. Vido Kungune, the Acting Director of Internationalisation at VUT. This is part of VUT’s ongoing efforts to boost its cooperation and partnerships with its international peers as underpinned by one of its strategic objectives of strengthening international university alliances through engaged scholarships.

The delegation included Prof. Deus Ngaruku, former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research, and Consultancy and Institutional Coordinator for Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET); Dr. Dunlop Ochieng, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Dr. Halima Kilungu, the Head of the Department of Geography, Tourism, and Hospitality studies and HEET Curriculum Focal Person; Dr. Veronica Nyerere, Undergraduate Programmes Coordinator, and Dr. Ladislaud Batinoluho, Departmental Academic Staff.

The visit provided the OUT delegates with the opportunity to learn about VUT’s approach to teaching and learning, particularly in the fields of Hospitality, travel and tourism, including eco-tourism. The guests sought to understand how apprenticeships in these programs are conducted to equip students with the necessary knowledge, competencies, and skills to handle real-life situations. With this curiosity, the delegates were introduced to the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) approach where the institution has to vet students’ placements. Additionally, the delegates were interested in VUT’s blended learning approach, as OUT offers degrees in an online or blended learning format. They aimed to explore potential collaborations in research, publications, consultations, and community outreach programs in the areas of Tourism, Hospitality, Events, and Travel and Tour Operations. Further interests included staff and student exchange programs, internationalization, and a credit transfer system to enhance the internationalization of OUT’s programs, adjunct lecturers, sabbatical leaves, and industry-university linkages.

In his welcoming address, Mr. Kungune presented an overview of VUT, highlighting its structure, faculties, programme offerings, Centre’s of Excellence, and the Science and Technology Park. He also addressed the importance of higher education collaborations especially within the African Continent. Among the highlights was the VUT AMBIO water treatment facility, which sparked significant interest among the delegates from OUT’. More interesting for the delegates was the VUTAqua prepared and bottled still water which is VUT’s own product. “This collaboration will now further extend beyond hospitality and tourism,” stated Mr. Kungune.

The delegates also toured the campus, visited VUT laboratories, the Cooperative Education Department, Research Directorate, and engaged with the VUT Tourism and Hospitality Department, the Applied and Computer Sciences Faculty. Executive Dean Professor Grobler, who attended the second day round table discussion, spoke at length on offerings in the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences and its academic departments, the strength in Chemistry and Biotechnology as well as the advantages of Work Integrated Learning elements in the diploma programs.

The guests also visited the VUT Technology Science Park situated in the southern part of Gauteng, Sebokeng.

Mr. Kungune expressed his enthusiasm for the sustainable collaboration with OUT, looking forward to the many opportunities this partnership will bring.