Unisa hosts ICT skills development workshop for student leaders

Unisa’s Student social Development Division under the Department of Student Development is hosting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training for newly elected National Student Representative Council (NSRC) members in order to equip them with digital skills. “This training” says Mmangakane Mmako, Manager: Student Social Development, “is to align our operations as Student Affairs and functioning of the student leaders in tandem with pillar one of the university’s 2030 Strategy of advancing technology, and mediated quality learning and teaching, and pillar two which relates to strengthening student support services.”

Front row, seated from left: Nkosinathi Mabilane (NSRC President), Pintias Nkuna (Training, Research and Capacity Development Specialist), and Nokuthula Mathonsi (NSRC Treasurer-General).
Middle row, from left: Patience Sonto Skosana (NRSC Education and Training Officer), Mmangakane Mmako (Manager: Student Social Development), Tracy Holdcroft (User Support Specialist), Qhubekani Mahlomula Hlabisa (NSRC Postgraduate Officer), and Kealeboga Mochawe (NSRC Deputy Secretary-General).
Back row, from left: Bayanda Ngcingwana (NSP Speaker), Thembinkosi Mnguni (SRC Administrator), and Olona Peter (MPS – Docu-care Technician).
Out of sight: Kgothatso Mosimege (NSRC Sports and Cultural Officer), and Makgabo Queen Manamela (NSRC Undergraduate Officer).

Mmako says the training focuses on the use Microsoft Teams and Adobe Acrobat (PDF). She says these two skills are key for attending meetings and training online.

Mmako says that it is necessary to conduct contact-based training. She further explains: “During the training we encourage participants to focus and participate so that when they are required to receive other training online, they will be able to apply the skills they have been taught. We  utilise regional labs to present the training. The training includes ICT, user support, and docu-care.”

Benefits from the training

Regarding benefits to members of the NSRC, Mmako says that they empower them with specialised ICT training so that they can effectively utilise the digital platforms for communication, collaboration, and organisational tasks, thereby enhancing their ability to engage with peers, colleges, and internal and external stakeholders in a virtual environment.

Upcoming training sessions for Regional SRCs

Mmako states that members of the Eastern Cape Regional SRC (RSRC) have received training, and that these regions are to follow suit:

• Western Cape, 22 April, Parow Campus
• KwaZulu-Natal, 23 April, Durban Campus
• Tshwane, 25 April, Sunnyside Campus
• Midlands, 03 May, Rustenburg Campus.

She adds: “The training sessions take place from 09:00 to 16:00. Participants receive an attendance certificate at the end of each session. For this training they will receive certificates for Microsoft Teams and Adobe Acrobat Basic.”

Mmako comments that the training is intended for SRC members and staff members only. She further explains that after this training series, other student leaders will be encouraged to participate in broader and more advanced training that ICT is rolling out monthly.

In conclusion, she says that the training schedule is posted on Intcom, and that people who wish to participate have to register in time before the set date and time of the training.

*By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement