Alumni

Unisa alumni in Mauritius focusing on the human connection

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The Unisa Alumni Relations Office concluded 2022’s activities with a visit to alumni in Mauritius. The newly elected chapter convenor, Zeenat Fugurally – who will be serving her second term as convenor - indicated in her opening address that her vision for the upcoming three years for this chapter is to establish more networking and "human connection" opportunities. 

From left: Zeenat Fugurally, Chapter Convenor of the Unisa Mauritius alumni chapter; Cilla Boucher, Unisa Alumni Relations Officer; Adilla Diouman-Mosafeer, Managing Director of Talent Lab and Founder of HR Café; and Frankie Mojapelo, Acting Director of the Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations

Adilla Diouman-Mosafeer, Managing Director of Talent Lab and Founder of HR Café, a leading human resource management (HRM) company on the island, was the guest speaker at the event. She has more than 20 years of experience in the HRM industry and is active both in operational and strategic talent management and leadership.

"There have been major shifts in the HR landscape during and after the COVID pandemic," she said. "One of the biggest tendencies we have seen was the 'great resignation', which commenced just before the COVID-19 pandemic and is continuing up to date. Employees are not resigning due to dissatisfaction with salaries – there is a change and shift in values."

According to Diouman-Mosafeer, employees realised during the pandemic that life is short, and many are taking the time off to spend with their families.

"Post-COVID, another trend emerged and employees are refusing to return to the workplace full-time. In India an estimated 60% of employees have indicated that they are not willing to go back and insist that the employer develop a hybrid and more flexible work environment. Most employees indicated that they are more productive when working from home," she highlighted.

Diouman-Mosafeer said that the future of the workplace is described by many as the "VUCA World". VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity – which encompasses the ever-changing landscape of work that is currently experienced and that will guide work in the future.

"In the VUCA World, the role of HR will change substantially. We are now working to save jobs and assist the employer to keep their businesses afloat. However, saving jobs is not made easier by the extensive digitisation and automation of organisations."

Diouman-Mosafeer concluded with a number of predictions that will guide employment in the near future. She said, "the focus areas will include an increase in diversity requirements, embracing the GIG economy, continuous upskilling and reskilling, hybrid work models, and keeping the human touch alive."

The Unisa alumni in Mauritius alluded to having a deeply rooted relationship with the university. Most of those attending the event indicated that the university provided them with affordable, excellent academic qualifications which impacted extensively on their career paths.

* By Cilla Boucher, Alumni Relations Officer, Unisa Foundation and Alumni Relations

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Publish date: 2022/12/13

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