Unisa online - Unisa invites expats to come home

Dr Marié Ferreira, Prof Barney Pityana, Ms Laura-Ann Coetzee, Mr Nhlanhla Sikosana & Ms Anna Huma

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Barney Pityana, and members of the Unisa delegation did their part to encourage South Africans in the United Kingdom (UK) to return home and promote Unisa when they participated in the annual London Exhibition. The event was hosted by the Homecoming Revolution, an organisation aimed at reversing the South African skills shortage, at the Olympia Conference Centre on 4 and 5 October 2008. South African expatriates were introduced to the opportunities currently open to them to further their careers back home. Unisa was invited to take part in the event and the Corporate Communication and Marketing (CCM), Unisa Foundation and Alumni Affairs, and International Relations and Partnerships directorates joined forces to make the most of this exceptional marketing and networking opportunity.

Together with some 25 leading South African companies, the university had an exhibition showcasing the qualifications and services it has on offer. Close to 6 000 people visited the exhibitions during the two days and some 300 visitors enquired about Unisa learning programmes, career offerings and job opportunities at the Unisa exhibition.

Well-known opinion leaders and personalities including Prof Barney Pityana, Prof Nick Binedell, Director: Gordon Institute of Business, Helen Zille, DA leader and Mayor of Cape Town, Roelf Meyer of the Civil Society Initiative, and Francois Pienaar of FNB and former captain of the national rugby team, were invited to speak and reflect on topical issues during the two days. Prof Pityana participated in a lively panel discussion entitled "Challenges facing South Africa".

Ms Pat Lawrence and Lord Richard Attenborough

To provide a networking opportunity and to engage with its friends in London, the university hosted a cocktail function on Monday 6 October at South Africa House on Trafalgar Square. Guests included South African High Commissioner, Dr Lindiwe Mabuza, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Open University of the UK, Mr David Vincent, Lord Richard Attenborough, Managing Director of the Homecoming Revolution, Ms Martine Schaffer, and other dignitaries, Unisa alumni, donors and business people.

Addressing the guests at the function, Prof Pityana shared with them Unisa’s role and impact in the UK and internationally, its strategy as well as plans towards an increased and improved quality of education and service to all its stakeholders. A DVD on the Sunnytown developments introduced guests to this exciting project.

The Unisa delegation comprised Prof Barney Pityana, Dr Marié Ferreira, Executive Director: CCM, Ms Pat Lawrence, Director: Unisa Foundation and Alumni Affairs, Ms Laura-Ann Coetzee, Director (Public Relations): CCM, Mr Nhlanhla Sikosana, Director (Marketing): CCM, and Ms Anna Huma, Student Recruitment Officer: CCM.