News & Media
Unisa advances supply chain management education and research at annual event
Unisa and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Unisa Enterprise, recently joined forces to host an event in support of Annual Supply Day. This collaborative effort aimed to foster meaningful connections between industry stakeholders, academia and aspiring entrepreneurs while addressing critical supply chain challenges and opportunities, under the theme "The success of enterprise and supplier development (ESD) lies in nurturing, supporting, and developing SMMEs". The event took place at Unisa’s main campus in Tshwane.
One of the primary objectives of the event was to showcase Unisa's commitment to advancing supply chain management education and research. Through insightful keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive workshops, attendees gained valuable insights into the latest trends, innovations and best practices shaping the field of supply chain management.
Sibusiso Mthembu, Acting Director: Supply Chain Management
Sibusiso Mthembu, Acting Director: Supply Chain Management, emphasised the crucial role of collaboration between the university and the private sector in improving supply chain efficiency. He shared past challenges and experiences to enhance performance, and highlighted the need for effective communication, training and investment in supplier development.
Norman Mabunda, Supplier Development Manager at Unisa Enterprise, said: "Unisa has an equal opportunity to address the imbalances in South Africa by creating employment opportunities."
Norman Mabunda, Supplier Development Manager at Unisa Enterprise
He further mentioned that they would provide support to the entrepreneurs for three years and after that, they would no longer consider them as part of the enterprise and supplier development programme. Mabunda emphasised that Unisa is doing its best to collaborate with the Department of Information and Communication Technology to check the list of available suppliers.
The event was attended by high-profile organisations such as the National Empowerment Fund, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency, ABSA Bank, and the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of South Africa. These organisations assist entrepreneurs in starting up their businesses by providing funding of up to R15 million.
As Unisa continues to lead the way in supply chain education and research, the Annual Supply Day event remains a cornerstone initiative that embodies the university's commitment to excellence, innovation and societal impact. Through continued collaboration and engagement, Unisa and its partners are poised to drive positive transformation and sustainable growth in the dynamic field of supply chain management.
* By Kagiso Moroatsehla, Remembrance Manganyi and Kgothatso Mojela, Journalist Interns, Department of Institutional Advancement
Publish date: 2024-05-14 00:00:00.0
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