News & Media
Empowering the uMhlabuyalingana community
The Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region, in collaboration with the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, recently hosted a series of career-boosting events and digital skills workshops in Manguzi as a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to community upliftment. The events, held from 23 to 28 September 2024, were aimed at equipping students and the local community with essential tools to enhance academic success, improve digital literacy and foster career development.
From left: Sifiso Mkhungo (Unisa), Snenhlanhla Ndlazi (Manguzi Library), and Siyabonga Zama (Unisa)
At the heart of the event was the application campaign, an initiative which ran throughout the week, offering guidance to community members interested in applying for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at Unisa. This initiative was a gateway for aspiring students to unlock new opportunities for higher education and career advancement. These events afforded students and community members a valuable opportunity to enhance their skills and take meaningful steps towards personal and professional growth. Whether preparing for examinations, pursuing academic qualifications, or breaking into the world of technology, Unisa’s programmes were designed to empower participants and help them confidently navigate their educational journeys.
The Unisa team helping community members with their applications
Complementing this effort was a series of workshops facilitated by Unisa’s Academic Development Open Virtual Hub (ADOVH). These aimed to equip students with the tools necessary to thrive in a digital economy. Held at the Manguzi Main Library, these hands-on sessions focused on building participants’ digital literacy, web browsing skills, online safety, and cloud computing. Participants were enabled to confidently build professional online profiles and connect with other students and professionals within the tech space.
On 25 September 2024, Unisa extended its reach to municipality employees and managers through workshops at the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality boardroom. These sessions covered Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Work-Integrated Learning (WiL), and Unisa’s Short Learning Programmes (UCLs), offering invaluable information on how employees can upskill themselves through Unisa’s innovative academic pathways. The programmes combine theoretical knowledge and practical work experience, giving participants the tools to enhance their professional skills while pursuing academic qualifications.
The Unisa team addressed uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality employees
Unisa also hosted training sessions for myExams Invigilation Tools to familiarise students with Unisa’s invigilation tools and prepare them for examinations. These were held at the Manguzi Main Library and the uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality boardroom.
The Gijima Foundation invited Unisa KwaZulu-Natal to participate in their Disability Sensitisation and Engagement Workshop Programme on 25 September 2024 to share information with the community and individuals with disabilities on Unisa's comprehensive support and resources to accommodate their needs. Through this engagement, Unisa demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that students with disabilities are well-informed about available academic opportunities and services tailored to support their educational journey.
Unisa’s commitment to the community of uMhlabuyalingana reflects its broader mission of transforming lives through accessible, high-quality education. By offering targeted programmes that blend academic and digital skill-building, Unisa empowers individuals and fosters a brighter future for the region.
* By Jo Cossavella, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal, with input from ChatGPT
Publish date: 2024-11-29 00:00:00.0
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