GCTU Hosts TEBUSS Seminar On Work-Integrated Learning
The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy at GCTU has organized the second installment of its Technology, Business and Society Seminar (TEBUSS) series on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room.
The seminar, themed “Work-Integrated Learning: Contemporary Perspectives,” provided a dynamic platform for insightful discussions, fostering collaborations and exploring the intersection of technology, business and society. It also offered the latest insights and approaches to enhancing employability.
The seminar’s keynote presentation was delivered by the Head of the Department of Marketing Management at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Isolde Ward-Lubbe. Dr. Ward-Lubbe is part of a three-member team on a follow-up visit to GCTU to discuss the operationalization of an MoU signed between the two institutions last year.
Dr. Ward-Lubbe’s presentation, titled “Work-Integrated Learning: Contemporary Perspectives,” addressed the modern understanding and practices of integrating work experience with academic learning in higher education institutions.
She explained that contemporary perspectives on Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) are crucial in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring that students are better prepared for the workforce. She highlighted key aspects of WIL, including:
- Industry Collaboration and Technology Integration: Partnerships with industry and the use of virtual internships and digital platforms ensure that WIL aligns with industry standards and offers flexible opportunities for students.
- Employability and Student-Centered Learning: WIL enhances employability by developing key skills through personalized experiences tailored to individual student goals.
- Global Perspective and Interdisciplinary Approaches: WIL incorporates international and interdisciplinary methods, merging knowledge and practices from various fields.
- Sustainability, Ethics and Assessment: WIL integrates sustainability, ethical practices and continuous assessment, helping students to effectively apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
Dr. Ward-Lubbe also discussed the challenges universities face in keeping pace with the rapid changes in the labour market and the evolving demands of employers. She stressed the importance of equipping students with a blend of technical skills, critical thinking, communication, coordination, time management, decision-making, leadership, innovation, analytical skills and digital literacy to ensure they are workforce-ready.
Further elaborating on WIL, Dr. Ward-Lubbe described it as programmes that connect and integrate academic learning with practical workplace experience related to students’ fields of study. She provided insights into three WIL models:
- Systematic Training: Where the workplace is the central place of learning, such as in apprenticeships.
- Structured Work Experience: Familiarizing students with the world of work through field experiences and internships.
- Institution Partnerships: Educational activities designed to achieve industry or community goals.
She also touched on the various types of WIL, including apprenticeships, cooperative education, internships, entrepreneurship, service learning, applied research projects, and mandatory professional practicum/clinical placements.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Robert Ebo Hinson, who chaired the programme in the absence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, had earlier extended a warm welcome to the delegation from the University of Johannesburg and emphasized the significance of the collaboration between the two institutions. He highlighted that the partnership extends beyond faculty to include administrative staff, with far-reaching benefits for both universities.
The Director of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, Prof. George Kofi Amoako, emphasized the importance of mutual engagement and knowledge sharing to foster productive collaboration between GCTU and the University of Johannesburg, particularly in the area of research.
The seminar attracted diverse groups of participants, including faculty and staff from GCTU and other universities, as well as officials from the University of Johannesburg.
