Welcome message
So the year is nearly over...
But before we launch into 2012, it is important to celebrate a great year – thank you to all our past students for making that big decision to improve your knowledge and enhance your career objectives through studying a short learning programme with then Varsity College School of Business and Technology.
Don’t forget to take advantage of our early registration offer, which means registering now for a 2012 programme at 2011 prices. To qualify, you are required to pay at least your deposit before 31 December 2011. Don’t hesitate to phone your nearest campus for more information.
We are already finalising the detail for 2012, confirming start dates, fees, lecturers, venues, etc. The stories and successes highlighted below are only a snapshot of what goes on at our vibrant campuses throughout the year. We urge you to join us and get involved in 2012!
Richard Glück
National School of Business & Technology Manager
NATIONAL
UPCOMING SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMMES
You might still want that promotion, wish to change your career path or secure that all-important 'piece of paper'. The year is far from over and there is still time to register for short learning programmes through the School of Business & Technology. Read more...
DURBAN NORTH
Varsity College School of Business Durban North responds to East Coast Radio’s ‘Big Favour’ project.
Davina lost her parents in a car accident. As an orphan she was placed in a foster home but her care was managed by the Child Welfare system for 11 years.
Despite the tragedy and her challenging circumstances, Davina completed her studies in 2010 and also earned herself entrance to study a Bachelor's Degree.
Varsity College, who work closely with Child Welfare, heard about Davina and her achievements. They also heard that she could not afford to study although she really wanted to. The Big Favour team called in Varsity College along with Davina and her family to chat about her situation and to see if something could be done. After hearing about her life and her passion for studying, both Kevin Mottram (Principal VC) and Wade Burmeister (School of Business Manager) surprised Davina with a full bursary to study her dream subject, Project Management. Not only that but VC is also going to provide a full complement of stationery for the young scholar.
The two from VC had another surprise as they had organised through their friends at Van Schaik, full sponsorship of all the text books for her course, which as any student will tell you is a massive cost in itself.
It doesn't get much better than that! Not only has Davina overcome her own personal struggles to get this far, but now she will be able to finish a great Diploma and enter the world fully qualified and ready to make a difference.
CAPE TOWN
Double Agent Louw
Who says being a double agent is easy? A mother of one very energetic and loving 8yr old son and a wife to my husband, plus working a nine to five, surely is a challenge in itself.
On 5 March 2011, I began a short learning programme in Sales Management to enhance my role as a Sales Administrator, which was financed by the company I work for, MTU South Africa (Pty) Ltd, as part of our training and skills development programme.
When I enrolled for the Sales Management course I asked myself “What did I get myself into this time?” Having to get up early on a Saturday morning and going to classes from 9am-12pm for 17 weeks meant that I really had to be committed to doing the course.
To my surprise it was really worth getting up in really cold conditions sometimes and heading to the Rondebosch campus. The classes were everything I wanted them to be. The content covered all aspects with regards to sales management and the cherry on top was the experience and energy of our lecturer, Hans Albers who always had something extra to throw in which was much appreciated. It was difficult to study again after finishing grade 12 about 17 years ago, yes 17 years ago, but once I was into the swing of things there was no stopping. This experience opened my eyes and it motivated me to think of what I can do next, maybe my MBA, who knows?
Friends were made and it was encouraging to see that we still have that competitive spirit. We all strived for good marks and with 92% in my first test, 84% for my assignment; I was beyond surprised in myself and the other students. We did so well!!!! Studying for the test and making time from my busy schedule and being tired at times but really digging deep, I enjoyed the group work on the assignments, doing research in the library and on the Internet, and interaction with my fellow students. Knowing that I had a year mark of 88% has put me well on my way for the final exam. I was ready, motivated and gave it my all for the final stretch home.
I definitely gained so much from the course and would really recommend it to anybody working in Sales or who is thinking of going into that direction. All the aspects of the course are relevant to my day to day tasks in our Sales department and hopefully this will pave the way for me to greater heights and fruitful ventures.
So there you go, you are never too old to learn and well done to Varsity College and Hans Albers for presenting a wonderful course.
WESTVILLE
CAMPUS SECURITY UPSKILLS FOR HER FUTURE
Nompumelelo Lucia Shinga recently successfully completed the Bookkeeping short learning programme at the Westville campus. When asked why she chose this particular programme, Lucia advised that it offers her the opportunity to not only gain new skills, but also to build on those basic skills so she can investigate and consider more career options in the future. Lucia is currently stationed at VC Westville with Enforce Security and took the opportunity to study to heart, interacting regularly with her class and lecturer to gain as much knowledge as possible. Her lecturer and School of Business staff went out of their way to assist her, Lucia says, and guided her every step of the way to a successful pass. Lucia has already enrolled for the follow-up programme, Financial Accounting, and intends to complete her initial studies with Pastel Accounting in 2012. Keep up the determination, Lucia – you are an inspiration to others starting out with their studies!
PIETERMARITZBURG
KZN rounds up 60 companies for Corporate Business Network
On 21 July 2011, the Varsity College School of Business & Technology successfully hosted the Corporate Business Network on campus. Representatives from 60 companies in the KZN region were present. Companies included Assured Bookkeeping Solutions, Beyond Beauty, Bridgemonkey Brand Engineers and DSR Consulting, to name a few. The networking event also included a training session on Business Communication, facilitated by Glenda Slade from Iconverse. The training was informal and interactive allowing those present to learn through participation.
SANDTON
Lance Metz takes exam-writing to new heights
Lance Metz, an Operations Management student at the Sandton Campus, has become the first person to write an exam on Mount Kilimanjaro. “My Operations Management exam was scheduled for the same time as my fourth climb of Kilimanjaro. So with the permission of the college I decided to make this climb unique”, said Lance. On the 5th of July 2011 at a height of 5 895m, famous South African mountaineer and head guide Sean Disney, who
acted as the exam invigilator, handed Lance the exam on the fourth highest mountain of the seven summits.
“The initial idea was to write on the summit, but when we got there it was windier than usual and minus 25 degrees Celsius,” said Sean. He then packed away the exam and after a 19-hour non-stop trip, a very tired and sleep deprived Lance wrote the paper when they returned to camp. Not only did Lance become the first person to write an exam on Mount Kilimanjaro, he did it in fine style and scored an impressive 61% to complete the programme with an overall distinction.
Lance is the youngest South African to have climbed Everest, Mt. Vinson (Antarctica) and Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania). He plans to become the first South African to climb Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen in 2013. Varsity College wishes him the very best of luck with the attempt.
PRETORIA
Rory Burke – Project Management Guru – lectures at Varsity College School of Business Pretoria
Rory Burke, author of “Project Management Techniques” used by the students studying the Project Management short learning Programme, addressed the Pretoria students on August 20th on campus.
Rory has a M.Sc Project Management from Henley and has worked internationally on many capital projects. He is an author, publisher and visiting lecturer to universities in Britain, America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
Rory captivated the students with his stories of how he found himself in the Project Management industry after having worked as a Naval architect and from there became the author of the Project Management Techniques textbook along with many others, such as Advanced Project Management, Project Management Entrepreneur and Entrepreneurs Toolkit to name a few.
He discussed that the standards used in his textbooks are ideal for learners who may be involved in technical projects, business projects or developmental projects which cut across a range of economic sectors. It will also add value to learners who are running their own business and recognise that project management forms an integral component of their business.
The students were then invited to a buffet breakfast and book signing session with Rory after that lecture. Varsity College and the students are extremely grateful that Rory could take the time to visit our campus during his tour of promoting his new textbook and look forward to having him back on campus in the near future.
PORT ELIZABETH
Networking Event
Betsy Ings, Founder and Director of Siyaloba Training Academy, was the guest speaker at Varsity College Port Elizabeth’s networking event for 2011, a corporate breakfast themed “How to catch the right fish, for the right pond, at a reasonable price – how to select and manage high quality employees".
Siyaloba Training Academy is a Port Elizabeth-based non-profit community training centre that is greatly committed to fishermen and their communities through various outreach programmes. As well as founding the Training Academy, Betsy is a skills development facilitator and industry representative on various training boards. She was also Chairperson of the Port Elizabeth Branch of the Business Women’s Association from 2009-2011, and in 2008 won the Businesswomen's Association Regional Business Achievers Awards nationally in the Social Entrepreneur category.
COMPETITION
The School of Business & Technology are giving away a R500 MUSICA voucher to one of our lucky readers who can answer the following question:
Name two textbooks written by author Rory Burke.
Please e-mail your answers to competitions@varsitycollege.co.za. Insert “VC SoBT” in the subject field and remember to include your full name and contact details. The winner will be notified directly and announced in the next edition of in the news.
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