By REGINALD KANYANE
20 November 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said a strategic meeting they convened with representatives from the University of South Africa (Unisa), will assist them to explore an innovative partnership. Motsumi said the meeting focused on piloting a ground-breaking career guidance program designed to empower learners to make informed career choices as early as Grade 9.
She further said the proposed program is part of Unisa’s broader strategy to enhance career readiness among learners in the future to align learners’ talents, interests, and aspirations with future career opportunities well before they reach matric.
Motsumi added that Unisa’s decision to partner with the North West province, stems from the province’s significant contribution to the university’s enrolments.
“The program will also support the department’s goal of integrating career guidance into the life sciences curriculum through a collaborative approach. I am optimistic about the initiative.
“This partnership is a step forward in shaping the futures of our learners by giving them the tools and support needed to make well-informed career decisions. We hope that these engagements bear fruit in a way that will address career readiness challenges and strengthen our education system,” she said.
Motsumi said her department and Unisa, remain committed to fostering innovative collaborations that align with the province’s education priorities and prepare learners for the demands of the modern workforce.
Meanwhile, Unisa Convocation President Justice Dabampe said: “We will do all in our efforts and beyond to ensure that we take the University of South Africa (UNISA) to number one in Africa as the oldest and largest university. I stand here to commit that we will invest in the academic project and advance transformation to ensure a holistic development and academic experience.
“UNISA should be an incubator of academic excellence, thought leadership and knowledge production that will benefit African development as aligned with our prestigious institutions vision and mission.”
He said they are committed to ensure maximum investor attraction with the aims of clearing all student debt and gaining public and private sector confidence to absorb and employ UNISA graduates. Dabampe said they will continue advancing the call that Unisa hire its graduates.
“We should invest in infrastructural and technological development towards asserting ourselves as a major and key international and global university. I invite all stakeholders that we are open to recommendations, advice and working with the greater collective.
“Let us work together and let us work for Unisa because a better Unisa is a better society,” he said.
He said part of the programmes will include taking Unisa to the people, ensure that the learners in various schools are supported. Dabampe said they intend to ensure that access to education does not only remain a dream for the vast majority of the people, but becomes a reality.
“As an incubator of knowledge, Unisa will ensure that, we improve the quality of education and impart the such knowledge,” he said.
The Guardian 