The Student Support Unit at UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science organised a Programme for Technological Careers (PROTEC) workshop at the Kinderstrand Camp in Port Edward on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast for 100 aspirant first-year university students.
The workshop, facilitated by Student Support counsellors Ms Ronelle Msomi and Ms Prashna Singh as part of the annual “first year preparedness camp”, attracted learners from Tongaat, Stanger, Mandeni, Umlazi, Umbogintwini, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu.
Another workshop facilitated by Sanele Zuma of the Pietermaritzburg campus was held at the Heronbridge Retreat in Gauteng for about 40 pupils from Nelspruit, Bloemfontein, Kathelhong, Rustenburg and Limpopo.
PROTEC is a leading South African non-profit organisation which has been operating nationally in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education since 1982. The organisation was founded by the South African Institute of Engineers (SAIE), which recognised the need for engineers in South Africa.
PROTEC provides Science, Mathematics, Technology, world-of-work and English theoretical and practical education to Grades 10 to 12 learners from disadvantaged communities in response to the poor standard of STEM teaching in South African schools. PROTEC currently has nine branches around the country.
For the past four years, the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) Student Support Unit has been invited by PROTEC to present to aspirant students. The workshop focuses on the following areas:
• Expectations at University
• Coping tools and strategies to ease the adjustment into first-year
• Self-Driven Study
• Meeting Diversity for the first time and how to adjust
• Sexual Health and Self-Respect
• Time Management
The majority of students reported enjoying the workshop making comments such as ‘it made me aware of university life’ and ‘I realised I was not managing my time efficiently’.
‘The talks were amazing and truly inspirational,’ said Wandile Gwebu of Nelspruit.
Thato Moloi of Bloemfontein said: ‘The overall experience was beautiful. I met great people, both students and leaders. I have learned so much and I am extremely grateful PROTEC gave me this opportunity.’
‘It was amazing what PROTEC did for us. Thank you. Continue doing a great job,’ said Samkelo Ncube from KwaZulu-Natal.
Singh said: ‘Working with PROTEC and being able to provide this information so early on in a student’s journey is always beneficial. It allows the young folk to prepare for what is ahead. In addition, student concerns were addressed in an intimate forum.’
Msomi added: ‘I always enjoy facilitating workshops with the PROTEC students because they are very interactive. The workshop was well attended and the relationship between both organisations continues to grow.’
PROTEC Public Relations Officer Snothando Mzobe said: ‘PROTEC is not just a high school, good-matric-results programme. We aim to support our learners until they have successfully completed tertiary studies and enter the world of work. The preparedness camp is just the beginning of the journey.’ |