media releases - Showcasing work-integrated learning

One of the advantages of studying through distance education is work-integrated learning.  A student in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Unisa will be discussing her experiences and an employer will give his perspective on this method of learning.

Dr MJ Linington (Maggi), the Executive Dean of the College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences (CAES) of Unisa, is hosting a showcasing of work-integrated learning (WiL) event on Thursday 18 March 2010, at Unisa’s Florida campus, in Roodepoort (E 27° 54.028 S -26° 09.406).

Learning through experience—both in the laboratory and the workplace—is and has for a long time been an important part of vocational and professional qualifications presented by Unisa. Traditional university qualifications such as teacher education, nursing (health sciences), social work, chemistry, pastoral counselling and psychology immediately comes to mind. There is a variety of nomenclature for the various experiences of different qualifications, for example, teaching practice, clinical training, supervision, internship and laboratory work. Experiential, work-based or work-integrated learning or in-service training had been an essential element of the former technikon education.

The College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences truly reflects the comprehensive distance institution nature of Unisa in its spectrum of qualifications offered. For a number of qualifications WiL is regarded as a very important part of the teaching in order to produce well-rounded graduates. For this reason and to acknowledge the collaboration and the support enjoyed from industry—practitioner representatives from the occupational-field concerned—the College decided to hold the event, thereby showcasing WiL, advocate the importance of collaboration and give recognition to a number of stalwarts.

The event is preceded by a number of early morning qualification-specific work sessions. At 11:00 the delegates, other invitees and Unisa staff will gather in the Examinational Hall, D-block, Florida campus for refreshments and perusal of a number of exhibitions. This will be followed at 12:00 by formal proceedings in the Genmin Auditorium, C-block, where the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof Makhanya will make a presentation. He will be followed by a student talking about her experiences and then an employer representative about his perspectives of the importance of WiL. The formal proceedings will be concluded by a certificate presentation ceremony, followed by a finger lunch and some more browsing of the exhibitions.

Ends copy.

For further information please call Mrs Ina Viviers at 011 471-3866 or Iviviers@unisa.ac.za.