Western Cape engages students

Prof Pat Mafora (Director: Regional Services, Unisa) addressing students in George

The Western Cape hosted a number of events on 11 and 18 March 2017.

On 11 March, a combined student orientation for new students, a technology festival for all students, and a career fair mostly aimed at more senior students was held at the Cape Town Campus.

With an orientation venue filled to capacity, regional staff supported by colleagues from the College of Accounting Sciences (CAS), the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) and the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) introduced new students to the realities of being a student at an open, distance and e-learning (ODeL) institution. Students learned how to manage time, deal with administrative issues, get academic support, utilise the Unisa Library, and much more. Afterwards students had the opportunity to engage directly with their specific colleges on academic issues.

The technology festival gave students an opportunity to learn how to deal with an online university in a hands-on and direct manner. Presentations included, among others, learning how to interact with the Unisa website via a Skype session hosted by the Department of Communication and Marketing in Pretoria, learning how to use myLife and myUnisa facilitated by Cape Town Campus digital learning advisors, and introducing students with disabilities to the technology platforms available for them.

A career fair for students looking to enter the world of work provided platforms of interaction with a number of employers in the region, as well as presentations on opportunities in a variety of career fields ranging from engineering and travel to psychology and education. Debates were lively and interactive and students showed their willingness to participate in discussions.

On 18 March, a student orientation was held in the George Centre and again the attendance was extremely positive. Supported by colleagues from CSET and CHS, the region introduced students to life as a Unisa student followed by academic discussions hosted by the colleges. Students also had the opportunity to learn how to use myLife and myUnisa.

Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) session	Company exhibition
Dr Keith Jacobs (RD: Western Cape) talking on careers in Engineering	Skype session

* By Chezu Agu