UKZN hosted delegates from Mangosuthu University of Technology, Varsity College and University of Zululand at the KZN Regional Workshop recently.MACE Regional Workshop at UKZN
The changing landscape of Higher Education (HE) and its implications for stakeholders was the subject of a presentation delivered by the CEO of UKZN’s Extended Learning Division, Mr Simon Tankard, at MACE’s regional workshop.
UKZN hosted the event which attracted 28 delegates from various educational institutions in KwaZulu-Natal.
MACE (Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education) is a body that fulfils a leadership role in the HE and Further Education and Training (FET) sectors within Southern Africa, bringing together practitioners in Marketing and Communication through programmes, partnerships and transformation, and by promoting best practices.
Tankard facilitated a snapshot discussion on the reality, perceptions and relationships between institutes of higher learning and prospective students in view of the economic stresses facing the country.
According to Tankard, the number of people entering Higher Education to acquire special skills is growing globally. Discussing drivers that will transform South African institutes and allow them to thrive within the global market, Tankard said research-led capacity building would have a positive effect on the University business model. ‘We need to operate from a perspective of “business unusual” if we are to advance in this 4.5 trillion dollar sector,’ he said.
Delegates supported Tankard’s rationale, with the general opinion being that naturally aligning the Higher Education landscape to high performance would produce higher calibre graduates to compete within the global market.
Deputy Chairperson of MACE and Director: University Relations at UKZN, Ms Normah Zondo, thanked participants and congratulated the newly elected KZN Reginal Structure.
‘MACE congratulates Kevin Johnson: National Stakeholder Manager at Varsity College, who was appointed Regional Chair; the Director of the Marketing and Communications Department at Mangosuthu University of Technology, Len Mzimela, who was appointed KZN Deputy Regional Chair, and Rakshika Sibran of UKZN Public Relations, who was elected Secretary,’ said Zondo.
Rakshika Sibran