Dean of Students participates in Capacity Development for Student Leaders Programme

Unisa Dean of Students, Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, was one of the training facilitators in the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)/Centre for Education Policy Development (CEPD) Capacity Development for Student Leaders Programme, which took place from 8 to 10 June for the coastal region institutions and from 12 to 14 June 2017 for inland region institutions.

Capacity building for student leadership is, according to DHET, an attempt to expose all new leaders across the country to their terrain of operation. It is aimed at preparing young leaders “to be ready to lead, to capacitate them to reason maturely from cause to effect as well as to develop the much needed courage to take hard and sometimes unpopular decisions.”  

The overall objective of the programme is to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the enhancement of critical skills on leadership, communication, conflict resolution and diversity management as well as widening student leader’s exposure to the legislative frameworks governing the higher education system in South Africa.  

As part of his commitment to and passion for youth development, Dr Chalufu volunteered his services in an effort to make a positive contribution to student governance and leadership development in the country. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the importance of leadership development and argued not only do we need to create more opportunities for youth leadership development but also that we need to ensure that we have well-thought out strategies and programmes for supporting and developing our young leaders.    

Whilst flying the Unisa flag high, Dr Chalufu facilitated interactive sessions under the topic: ‘Reimagining Student Leadership Roles and Responsibilities Using the Student Engagement Theoretical Framework.’ The sessions, which were well received by student leaders who were actively engaged throughout, were part of the project aimed at developing a framework for student governance and leadership in South Africa that Dr Chalufu is currently involved in.

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