Top achievers in management programmes receive the Sanlam trophy An MBA still thé most sought-after qualification in the world

Transcription

1 Maart 2014 Top achievers in management programmes receive the Sanlam trophy An MBA still thé most sought-after qualification in the world Prof Tommy du Plessis (director of the NWU Potchefstroom Business School), Mr Jannie Durand (chief executive officer of Remgro), Prof Dan Kgwadi (vice-chancellor of the North- West University) and Prof Susan Visser (dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), with the opening of the MBA-year.

2 Inhoudsopgawe An MBA still thé most sought-after qualification in the world Top achievers in management programmes receive the Sanlam trophy Die nagraadse diploma is die eerste stap in die beplanning van jou bestuursloopbaan Só baat jy by die Entrepreneurskapsprogram van die ABKS Accessible, bilingual, digital still focused Updated studio facilities promote communication Dankie Aspen! Gelukwense Redakteur: Marilize Minné, e-pos Tel:

3 An MBA still thé most sought-after qualification in the world Eskom is the greatest threat that the South African economy faces. This was the irrevocable statement made by Mr Jannie Durand, chief executive officer of Remgro, during the MBA opening of the Potchefstroom Business School (NWU PBS) of the North-West University. If things continue in the current fashion, over the long term, Eskom will have a massive negative impact on the country s gross domestic product, said Durand, who acted as guest speaker, after the event. If the right decisions are made, if the right things are done, it can still be reserved, but it will have to happen fast, he added. He also emphasised why an MBA within the current South African context is more important than ever: An MBA provides you with an extensive overview and empowers you with a proper knowledge of the business world. It offers you other perspectives and teaches you a holistic approach. We need more people in the country who are able to manage, and therefore an MBA is of such importance. With regard to small businesses, he feels that the government can do more (that is to say less) to establish growth in this sector. The government can do much more to promote entrepreneurship. One example is less regulation of smaller businesses and fewer statutory requirements. I think more capital can also be made available to them. Durand is also of the opinion that investors need to pay more attention to the agricultural sector: There is so much potential; all the opportunities are here. Land is relatively inexpensive in South Africa; we are not Asia or Europe. An audience of more than 300 attended the opening on Monday 26 January; which included students, personnel as well as the Vice-chancellor of the North-West University, Prof Dan Kgwadi. Had there been any doubts about the value of the degree that students are enrolling for, Prof Tommy du Plessis quickly lay those to rest: An MBA is still the most sought-after qualification in the world. In 2014, the NWU PBS s MBA programme acquired the international approval by the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Only five business schools in South Africa have received this coveted approval, and only 200 world-wide.

4 Top achievers in management programmes receive the Sanlam trophy M ercia Eksteen, the communications manager of the Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV), was recently named as the NWU Potchef stroom Business School s top achiever for the Advanced Management Programme (NQF level 7). According to Eksteen, who is also a former student of the North-West University, it was a privilege to be able to complete the Advanced Management Programme at the NWU Potchefstroom Business School (NWU PBS) which stands for high standards, quality and innovation. For me, what stood out in the programme, was the Strategic Companies project. The planning, the group dynamics, the research and the presentation of the project were definitely a highlight. Eksteen can without a doubt say that the programme challenged her as manager to approach aspects in the workplace in a more investigative manner. According to her, this was not merely the gathering of theoretical knowledge, but the programme is presented in such a manner that the theory can also be practically applied in the workplace. Eksteen, currently also registered for her MBA at the NWU PBS, adds that the Advanced Management Programme is a must for self-development as well as the development of self-confidence around management tasks and the investigative thoughts that are awakened and the challenge that it holds for you as individual with regard to time management, planning and dedication. In 2015, I registered for my MBA, and the Advanced Management Programme was definitely the determining factor for me with regard to the choice of further studies. I am thankful for the opportunity that my employer, the ATKV, has offered me to be able to further my studies and the investment that is made in my development. Mercia Eksteen, was named as the NWU Potchef stroom Business School s top achiever for the Advanced Management Programme.

5 For the Middle Management Programme (NGF level 6), Nerona Naidoo, a laboratory and water treatment plant specialist at the eland Platinum Mine, Glencore in Brits, was named the best achiever. According to Naidoo, the Middle Management Programme was enlightening and rewarding; it has provided her with a structured insight into both the theoretical and practical side of organisations and management. I now have a deep understanding of the diverse management processes in competitive and changing environ ments. She also said the managerial skills that she has acquired will help her to address and overcome challenges that her company is faced with. Naidoo, who lives in Rustenburg, will definitely recommend this programme to managers/supervisors. It is a well-rounded course that can provide an individual with the necessary fundamental aspects of business. The best achiever in the Fundamental Management Programme, which is offered on NQF level 5, was Annalie Deacon from Rustenburg. For the programme in Business Management at the SBAB, Daleen von Möllendorf from Potchefstroom was named the best achiever. These awards were presented during the NWU PBS s annual Executive Learning Programmes certificate presentation event in the Sanlam Auditorium at the NWU s Potchefstroom Campus on Friday 27 February. A Sanlam trophy as well as a collective investment was awarded to each of the best achievers in the different management programmes. Nerona Naidoo (top achiever in the Middle Management Programme)

6 Nagraadse diploma rus jou behoorlik vir die praktyk toe Delmari van Zyl Diploma-studente tydens die openings geleentheid op 6 Februarie by die Roots in Potchefstroom. Die nagraadse diploma is die eerste stap in die beplanning van jou bestuursloopbaan Prof Tommy du Plessis het op 6 Februarie 2015 die nuwe groep diploma-studente vir 2015 tydens n sosiale geleentheid in Potchefstroom verwelkom. Sy toespraak was baie motiverend en het n besonderse boodskap oorgedra. Hy het hulle geluk gewens dat hulle so vêr gekom het en aangemoedig om daarvan n sukses te maak. Ook het hy onderstreep dat hulle nie slegs op hul eie krag kan staatmaak nie, maar op die krag van die Here. Prof Tommy het ook aan die groep jongmense genoem dat wanneer hul studies voltooi is, hulle weer moet terugploeg en ook ander help. Die Nagraadse Diploma in Bestuur het vanjaar vir die vyfde keer deur die NWU Potchefstroom Besig heid skool afgeskop. Hierdie program is ontwerp om n student met die nodige prak tiese ervaring en be stuurs vaardighede toe te rus. Kundiges, ook in die praktyk, maak deel uit van die personeel wat op hierdie program doseer. Die diploma is uiters gewild onder af ge studeerde studente en hulle geniet veral die praktiese aanslag, asook die vak Im ple men tering van strategie, waar in hulle n besigheidsimulasie-module, genaamd Simventure, doen. Studente word aan gemoedig om organies (eerder as lineêr) te dink en deur hierdie proses ontdek hulle hoe vakke by mekaar inpas; eerder as om hulle as alleenstaande sake te sien. Na suksesvolle voltooiing van dié diploma en met die nodige bestuursondervinding, kan n student ook vir die MBA inskryf, wat vanaf 2016 oor n periode van twee akademiese jare voltooi kan word. Volgens prof Tommy is die Nagraadse Diploma die voedingsbron vir die MBA. In terugblik op my vyf jaar op universiteit is die Nagraadse Diploma in Bestuur een van die beste besluite wat ek al ooit geneem het, so sê Delmari van Zyl, n voormalige student aan die Noordwes-Universiteit en die NWU Potchefstroom Besigheidskool. Sy meen sy het in haar finale jaar op universiteit besef waarvoor sy werklik aangelê is. Delmari, wat n BA-graad in Kommunikasiekunde in 2012 en n honneurs graad in Kommunikasiebestuur (Cum Laude) in 2013 verwerf het, is n trotse PUK wat haar keuse om aan die NWU te studeer as lewensverrykend beskryf. Ek kan nie dink dat enige ander universiteit vir my die gebalanseerde uitkyk, volronde akademiese afronding en sosiale ontwikkeling sou kon bied nie. Die PUK is net anders; dit is geskoei op verhoudings, op mense wat vir mekaar tyd het en werklik vir mekaar omgee. Na haar honneursgraad het sy n pos as operasionele beampte by die Potch-Tlokwe Sakekamer aanvaar terwyl sy voltyds vir die Nagraadse Diploma in Bestuur ingeskryf was. Delmari meen die diploma het haar verryk en aan n vakrigting bekendgestel, op nagraadse vlak, waarmee sy nie voorgraads kennis gemaak het nie. Ek dink die grootste voordeel van die diploma is dat mens vanuit enige rigting kan inskryf. My voorstel aan studente wat tans die diploma doen of voorneme het om hiervoor in te skryf is om soveel moontlik werksondervinding op te doen terwyl hulle studeer. Organisasies soek ondervinding; hoe meer internskappe en vakansie-werke mens doen, hoe hoër is jou aanstelbaarheid. Dit is harde werk om te werk en te studeer, maar mens pluk werklik later die vrugte van jou harde werk. Delmari het onlangs n pos by kyknet se kyknuus as produksiekoördi neerder aanvaar. Alhoewel sy nooit gedink het sy sou in die rigting werk nie, geniet sy dit baie. Mens leer so baie. Teorie is ongelooflik belangrik, maar die vergestalting daarvan, in die praktyk, is waar mens sien hoe produktief mens werklik kan wees.

7 Só baat jy by die Entrepreneurskapsprogram van die ABKS Ten einde te voldoen aan die groeiende vraag na entrepreneurskapsopleiding in Suidelike Afrika het die ABKS sy entrepreneurskapskursus verfyn sodat dit deur geakkrediteerde konsultante of deelnemende skole aangebied word. Die program in Entrepreneurskapsvaardighede is n inisiatief deur Equilibria School of Life in Potchefstroom en die ABKS, wat einde Februarie vanjaar afgeskop het. Volgens Herman Thom, n konsultant aan die ABKS, fokus hierdie program daarop om n persoon se entrepreneurskapsvaardighede uit te bou en om die basiese beginsels van hoe om n eie onderneming te begin/bestuur by die individu te vestig. Die skedulering van kontaksessies is sodanig ingerig om die werkende individu te akkommodeer. Die klasse word op Mandagaande van 18:00 tot 20:00 op die Potchefstroomkampus van die NWU aangebied. Vir meer besonderhede oor die program kan Elma Senekal by gekontak word. Mnr Thom voeg by dat die program ontwerp is om mense wat hul eie besigheid wil begin, bewus te maak van die konsep entre pre neur skap; om bystand te verleen in die vestiging van n entrepre neur skaps kultuur; en om die jeug aan te moedig om selfindiensneming te oorweeg deur n eie besigheid as lewensvatbare loopbaankeuse te vestig. Deur middel van hierdie program word voornemende entrepreneurs se aandag op verskeie besigheidsgeleenthede, faktore wat die vestiging en handhawing van onafhanklike besigheid beïnvloed, unieke probleme wat besigheidseienaars in die gesig staar, sowel as die voorkoming of oplossing van welke probleme gevestig.

8 Accessible, bilingual, digital still focused In 2014, the NWU Potchefstroom Business School launched a more focused approach to student recruitment and trademark identity. Traditional media still enjoyed the place for trademark building and awareness. The marketing campaign on the Lanseria airport attracted a great deal of attention and focused on the NWU PBS s trademark and identity. Henceforth, traditional media channels will still be used, where necessary and where the medium compliments the message. Because the media landscape has changed a great deal since the use of the post shoe or even , the NWU PBS is continuously looking for suitable channels to communicate with our alumni, as well as prospective students and current students. The NWU PBS, together with our marketing communication agents, Black Khaki in Sandton, set our sights on applicable digital channels. The target market of the NWU PBS find themselves in a continuous struggle against time and function, as it were, in a time poor society. Our market, which includes businesspeople, executive officers and managers, is very fastidious about which information they collect and they are looking for relevant, yet honest, brief and cogent intellectual messages of substance. Digital platforms such as Facebook and Google were implemented in These served as a trial run and yielded good results. There was an increase in growth of nearly 32% in the MBA phase 1 students (also in part thanks to the AMBA accreditation). Focused campaign messages on Facebook and Google Search were offered to the target market. These two channels encouraged prospective students as well as other interested parties to visit a specific webpage that was developed. This specific webpage could collect, in an efficient manner, course-related enquiries and valuable information from the prospective students. In an environment where the client/student is put first, it is of cardinal importance for the NWU PBS to employ efficient communication channels in order to provide accurate, yet also user-friendly information to our target market. We invite you to follow the NWU PBS on our Facebook page, as well as on Twitter, so that we can continue with the interesting journey together. Advanced Management Programme Facebook ad Landing Page This is the Facebook advertisement that take you to the landing page of the Advanced Management Programme.

9 Updated studio facilities promote communication The past two years, the NWU PBS has placed a great deal of emphasis on the expansion of the YouTube mechanism in order to promote and modernise communication in the Faculty and the University. Originally, the NWU PBS s YouTube interviews took place in the reception room of the School, but by the end of 2014, the need existed for these facilities should move to an even higher/ multi-purpose level. Prof Raymond Parsons, the chairman of the marketing operations committee at the NWU PBS, took the initiative to convince d-media (on Campus) to upgrade the existing studio facilities, in order to improve and accommodate interviews and debates kicked off with a new series of programmes in the new studio about topical matters. Matters such as the MBA study school opening and guest speaker, the Eskom crisis, the state of the nation address and the budget were addressed. The NWU PBS invites experts from other disciplines to also make use of the studio facilities in order to highlight, in this manner, opinions pertaining to topical matters. d-media can be contacted at Jannie Durand and Theo Vorster was the first to open the new studio on 26 January, where interviews and debates will be accommodated.

10 Dankie Aspen! E n toe ek weer sien, sit ek tussen n klomp slim mense in n MBA-klas! Min het Almarie Stander geweet wat voorlê toe sy haar aansoek inhandig om n MBA by die NWU PBS te doen. Dit het alles so vinnig gebeur. Een oomblik was sy nog hard aan die werk aan haar eie grafiese ontwerp-besigheidjie wat sy en haar tweeling suster, Barbara Cilliers-Pistorius, in 2010 begin het. Toe verander dinge drasties. Barbara en haar man, Peter, is na kort kennisgewing aan die einde van 2012 na Londen, en Almarie moes n besluit maak: gaan alleen voort of maak n skuif. Almarie het al in haar tienerjare gedroom om eendag n MBA te doen. Maar dis met die dryf van haar eie onderneming wat sy die begeerte aan dieper kennis vir besigheid ontwikkel het. Met die droom om haar klein besigheidjie in n groot besigheid te verander, is sy in 2013 Potch toe op n avontuur van n leeftyd. Sy het besluit om die besigheid vir eers af te skaal en vryskutwerk tydens haar studies te doen. Die eerste jaar, ten spyte van sy uitdagings, het spoedig en goed verloop. Ek was baie bekommerd oor die finansies, want die kursus is redelik duur. Die finansiële wisselvalligheid van n vryskutontwerper is nie vir sissies nie. Maar saamry geleent hede klas toe het gelukkig die druk so bietjie verlig. Die twee jaar wat nog moes kom was egter n effense groter uitdaging. Almarie se man, Herman, het aan die einde van haar eerste jaar bedank om sy eie droom te volg. Hy het dus in 2013 n voltydse diploma in natuurbewaring aangepak wat beteken het dat daar toe twee vryskutters in die huis was! Dit was n teken van hoop toe Almarie een laatmiddag uitvind van ASPEN se beurs. Sy kon haar geluk nie glo toe hulle haar aansoek aanvaar nie. Dit het gevoel soos n droom. Met die beurs kon sy meer op haar studies fokus. Dit het die MBA en finansiële stres heelwat gedemper. Toe Almarie Stander - Aspen-beurshouer die aansoeke aan die einde 2014 en van haar tweede jaar weer oopmaak, het sy getwyfel of hulle haar vir n tweede maal die beurs sou toeken. Maar sy moes net probeer. Met Herman se voltydse kursus het die grootste deel van hul inkomste op haar skouers gerus. As dit nie vir ASPEN se beurs was nie, sou die Standers kwaai moes note sweet om hulle al twee deur hul studies te kry. Terwyl sy woeker met haar skripsie in haar derde jaar is Almarie diep en innig dankbaar vir die voorreg om so n toonaangewende kursus te kan voltooi. Dankie Aspen.

11 Gelukwense Op 7 Februarie 2014 het Johan Coetzee vir die Post-graduate Diploma in Computer Forensics aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad geregistreer. Die program duur vir n periode van twee jaar. Johan het die medalje ontvang as die beste student in die Computer forensicskursuswerk vir Johan Coetzee Die NWU PBS wens vir Marni en Rentia van die kort kursuskantoor hartlik geluk met die volgende prestasies: Albei dames het hul Fundamentele Bestuursprogram aan die NWU-PBS voltooi en het op 27 Februarie 2015 hul sertifikate tydens die toekenningsgeleentheid ontvang. Marni het die program met twee onderskeidings geslaag en Rentia het een onderskeiding behaal. Rentia Conradie en Marni Young tydens die toekenningsgeleentheid.