UKZN recently hosted delegates from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), United States and Fellows from the America Council on Education (ACE).UKZN and USA’s Virginia Commonwealth University Share Challenges and Exchange ideas
In an effort to strengthen international partnerships and share ideas in dealing with similar challenges, delegates from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the United States and the America Council on Education (ACE) Fellows visited UKZN for a shared learning symposium.
The visitors met with Vice-Chancellor, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, members of the Executive Management, staff and students from various Schools followed by a panel discussion around issues of engagement and Higher Education in regional economic development, tuition, funding and student protests.
In his welcome address, van Jaarsveld spoke on social pressures that affect students and the University, saying one of UKZN’s main goals was to plough back into surrounding communities.
He said more than 60% of students needed financial assistance.
In a panel discussion led by Dr Simon Taylor of UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership, seven students presented their research on Local Economic Development (LED).
PhD Candidate Ms Xoliswa Majola’s research investigates how Information Communication Technology (ICT) can be used by small businesses, focusing on KwaZulu-Natal’s Illembe Municipal District. Her goal is to ensure that the current ICT used provincially assists in information sharing and assists in the correct implementation of LED.
Cum laude graduate Mr Sinakho Mpanza’s research is focused on the third sector economy and how non-profit organisations based in communities foster LED.
Senior Assistant to the President of VCU, Dr Kevin Allison, said he was impressed with the students’ presentations and their thoughts on the connection to surrounding communities.
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Professor Bala Pillay, who facilitated the panel discussions, spoke extensively on the University’s programmes to retain talented students in the academic sector and ideas to develop centres of excellence.
Other challenges that came up during the panel discussions included issues of reduced government funding, student unrest and outstanding student debt.
The symposium closed with a cocktail dinner.