Unisa online - Gandhi-inspired exchange: Unisa & the University of Mumbai

The Unisa delegation consisted of: Prof Valiant Clapper (acting Executive Director & CEO: SBL & Leader of the delegation); Ms Siza Magubane (Director, International Relations); Prof Cyril Mbatha (School of Economic Sciences: Economics); Mr Charles Malemone (School of Accounting Sciences: Financial Accounting); Ms Marjorie Mtjekelo (School of Management Sciences: Marketing and Retail Management); Ms Tracey Cohen (School of Management Sciences: Business Management); Ms Gerda Viviers (School of Management Accounting); Ms Aswindine Rasivhetshele (School of Management Sciences: Human Resources); Mr Nhlamulo Siwela (President of the Student Representative Council (SRC); Mr Tshepo Raseleka (Deputy President, SRC); Mr Richard Chauke (Deputy Secretary General, SRC); Ms Graca Lekola (Treasurer, SRC); Ms Zizipho Gwenzane (Sport Officer, SRC); and Mr Bernard Masutha (International Officer, SRC)

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mandla Makhanya, sent off a Unisa delegation led by Prof Valiant A Clapper (acting Executive Director & CEO of the Graduate School of Business Leadership [SBL]) along with Ms Siza Magubane (Director, International Relations), to the University of Mumbai, India, from 28 January to 3 February 2012, as a reciprocal visit previously undertaken by the University of Mumbai’s academics and students during October 2011 at Unisa.

“The real difficulty is that people have no idea of what education truly is. We assess the value of education in the same manner as we assess the value of land or of shares in the stock exchange market. We want to provide only such education as would enable the student to earn more. We hardly give any thought to the improvement of the character of the educated. The girls, we say, do not have to earn; so why should they be educated? As long as such ideas persist there is no hope of our ever knowing the true value of education.” M. K. Gandhi

Several pre-arranged gatherings were organised with faculties, departments and individuals, commencing with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rajan Welukar. The visits also included sessions with three of the top five Business Schools in Mumbai, all of which are affiliated to the University of Mumbai.  A visit was also arranged with the Consulate General of the South African Embassy in Mumbai, Mr PI Malefane. The visits attracted the attention of the print media in Mumbai, and journalists representing two newspapers conducted interviews with Prof Clapper and representative staff and students.

The visits resulted in a number of positives, including the forging of important new relationships that promise to enrich tuition and curriculum development, as well as cementing some previous relationships established in October 2011; for example, with Dr Kavita Lagathe, Associate Professor at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. Dr Lagathe took charge of all arrangements related to the visitation needs, transportation and comfort of the Unisa delegation. Her name is mentioned proudly and with high appreciation, with the expression of authentic interests in continued cultural and academic exchanges between the two universities, such as the participation in conferences hosted by Unisa and/or the University of Mumbai; collaborative research – for example, initial collaboration between Prof Cyril Mbatha (Department of Economics, Unisa) and Dr Sudha Mohan (Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai).

On social and personal interaction, the Unisa delegates learnt a few key life traits that Indian people possess, including passion and drive, hospitality, a positive attitude towards life, patience, especially where sales and marketing are concerned, hard work, ethics, contentment and optimistic outlook, sound spirituality and culture, healthy complexion, utilising their obtainable resources to the utmost, sustainability, and the culture of young entrepreneurship.

Unisa’s counterparts and partners at the University of Mumbai were consummate hosts, undertaking all in their control to expose the Unisa delegation to Indian culture and habits without overwhelming them. 

The Unisa academics and students that embarked on this trip to the University of Mumbai are grateful for the opportunity and exposure they experienced, the support and meticulous arrangements by Prof Makhanya and the Unisa Management Committee as well as the International Relations office.

*Story submitted by Siza Magubane