FIRST THINGS FIRST
HATS OFF!
Heita! congratulates all 5 047
students who received
qualifications during the
Spring Graduation ceremonies
in October. We’ve
approached at least 24 of
them for their views on
various topics. Read their
responses in this edition.
please send your name and cell number to heita@tut.ac.za on or before 31 December 2017. Mark the subject field: BACK
To win this
BACKPACK
IT’S A FIRST!
Kenyan born Ruth J L Cheluget (60) became
the first person to obtain a Doctorate in
Fashion Design at TUT during one of the
University’s Spring graduation ceremonies
hosted at the Pretoria Campus on
18 October. The title of her dissertation is
Environmental Implications of Textile Consumption, Maintenance and
Disposal in Kenya. Dr Cheluget is a
lecturer at the Kenyatta University’s Department of Fashion Design and
Marketing in Nairobi, Kenya.
This edition’s cover image is complements of OFENTSE TLHOLOE, a Photography student at the Department of Visual Communication.
TAKE A BOW
Celebrated actress, Lillian Dube, and Prof József (Joseph) Karger-Kocsis, a Polymer Technology expert, received honorary doctorate degrees from the University during the Spring graduation ceremonies.
ACTRESS AND ENGINEER HONOURED
Dube was born in Orlando East, Soweto, 72 years ago. Considering her rise and success in the entertainment industry, it is hard to believe that her career as an actress wasn’t exactly planned.
She couldn’t have imagined that an impulsive act, some thirty odd years ago, to audition for a role could have led to a career that has included parts in high profile television shows, such as Generations, Mopheme, Soul Buddyz, Mponeng, Skwizas (produced by her own production house), nor that she would appear in films like Cry the Beloved Country, Sweet ‘n Short, Oh Shucks I’m Gatvol, There’s a Zulu on my Stoep, The Ring, and African Skies.
Dube is best known for her Soul City alter ego, Sister Bettina. She chose the series over other projects, time and again, since it gave a voice to people who previously couldn’t speak up for themselves, especially women.
Prof Karger-Kocsis was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1950. With a keen interest in the Engineering discipline from a young age, it came as no surprise when he decided to enroll at the Technical University of Budapest where he excelled and obtained his first qualification, a Diploma in Chemical Engineering, in 1974.
Currently, he is a Research Professor at the Department of Polymer Engineering at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. His expertise in the field of Polymer Technology was also tapped on home soil when he worked as a Research Professor at TUT’s Polymer Programme on a part-time basis from 2009 until 2013.
His career is marked by several accolades, which include, among others, an Innovation Prize from the Hungarian Plastics Federation (2016); the Dennis Gabor Prize (Novofer Foundation) in 2014; Senior Researcher of the Year at TUT (2010); Honorary Doctorate from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (2004); and a Scholarship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (1994).
Dr Lillian Dube
Prof József (Joseph) Karger-Kocsis
How do graduates from the Faculties of Engineering and the Built Environment and the Arts score their University experience out of 10, and what areas do they think need improvement?
A double dose of advice
LESEGO SERA (30)
National Diploma: Fine Arts
“I would appreciate it if our curriculum was focused more on balancing academics and real life expectations for young artists outside of university.”
KATLEGO CHALE (26)
M Tech: Drama
“The University needs to bolster up the cultures on different campuses by encouraging students to collaborate in different activities. That would be a step towards more positive stories emanating from the University.”
LERATO MOSETLHI (25)
B Tech: Industrial Engineering
“My overall experience was great, but the University needs to come up with a better plan to accommodate working students.”
ETTIENNE LUDICK (22)
National Diploma: Civil Engineering
“The social side of the student life can be improved with the assistance of management. Students do not want to join forces simply because they are afraid of each other.”
SHANNON THERON (23)
National Diploma: Dance
“Apart from everything good, the University can improve the Dance Department by bringing in new lecturers.”
BRETT BOYES (25)
National Diploma: Civil Engineering
“I wouldn’t want to change anything about it because everything seems perfect to me. I encourage management to keep up the standard.”
TO VIEW ANSWERS, CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES
SCORES PLEASE
What is the monthly salary that you expect from your first job, and why? Graduates from the Faculty of Economics and Finance and Faculty of Humanities speak Rands and Cents.
FIRST PAY CHEQUES
RANDS AND CENTS
KEANE OKOMO (22)
National Diploma: Economic Management Analysis
“At least R10 000. I’ve been studying long and hard as my course is very demanding. That’s the minimum I deserve.”
SENAMILE DLUDLU (24)
B Ed: General
“Anything above R17 000 will make me happy. I will be able to provide for all of my family’s needs.”
AMOS MAHORI (33)
B Ed: FET Technical
“I’m expecting R15 000 and above. With that much I will be able to provide for myself and my family.”
GUGULETHU KHUMALO (25)
B Ed: FET Technical
“I want R20 000 because my work beats all other professions. That much respect is due to me.”
ADELAIDE NKUNA (23)
National Diploma: Cost and Management Accounting
“It should be around R13 000. That will be enough for me to kick-start my career and also to buy anything that I want.”
VALLEY AMISI (25)
National Diploma: Cost and Management Accounting
“I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur, hence I started my own business. I will not settle for anything less than R100 000 if I work for 8 hours.”
TO VIEW ANSWERS,
CLICK ON
ANY OF
THE IMAGES.
STEP BY STEP
Are young graduates climbing the career ladder too fast? Heita! asks three Management Sciences and three Science graduates if they think young graduates want to climb the career ladder too fast and if their career expectations are unrealistic?
TO VIEW ANSWERS,
CLICK ON
ANY OF
THE IMAGES.
WHAT’S THE RUSH?
LETHABO MOLALA (24)
National Diploma: Human Resource Management
“Jobs are scarce, so going at a slow pace is not an option. Their expectations can be unrealistic at times. I think we should take it step by step.”
YAMKELA BLOU (30)
B Tech: Project Management
“Is there such a thing as too fast? If you are young and passionate, then there shouldn’t be a reason not to pursue your dreams. We have worked hard to obtain our qualifications. We must take over the work environment.”
VONGANI NTLEMO (35)
M Tech: Labour Relations
“The reason why we chose to study is for us to start building our lives by kick-starting our careers as soon as possible. If you work hard, it means that you expect the best in life. That’s why young people should always aim high.”
PETUNIA MALATJI (25)
National Diploma: Crop Production
“There is no timeframe set for climbing the career ladder. Therefore, the answer is dependent on the individual. We tend to have high expectations for our careers, but we also need to understand that the world doesn’t owe us anything.”
ISAAC DIALE (26)
B Tech: Biotechnology
“Many young people are discouraged to climb the ladder fast because of the demanding nature of the work environment. Very often we are expected to do more for very little in return. However, when we raise our expectations with employers, we are perceived as ambitious.”
CHARMAINE PHAHLANE (25)
M Tech: Agriculture
“They’re not going too fast because the workplace is not as easy-going as it looks. I believe they should jump at any given opportunity and do their best.”
VALUE OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
Is a university qualification superior to that obtained from at a TVET/private college? Graduates from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) share their thoughts.
TO VIEW ANSWERS, CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES.
THUSO GAMA (26)
National Diploma: Computer Systems Engineering
“It depends on the course, because every workplace has different requirements. Neither a university nor a college qualification guarantee success.”
MPHO NTLATLENG (25)
National Diploma: Technical Applications
“A university qualification encompasses both theory and practical application of skills. Therefore, it is superior because we get the best of both worlds.”
NOTHEMBA TSHABALALA (23)
National Diploma: Industrial Intelligence Systems
“I don’t think they differ. It is all about how skilled and knowledgeable one is and how well you can apply that in industry.”
NTSHEMBHO MATHONSI (27)
National Diploma: Software Development
“A university qualification is better. In many cases, employers prefer university graduates than college ones.”
KAGISO MOKAUTU (23)
National Diploma: Technical Applications
“Any qualification is a good qualification as long as it is accredited and recognised. How you use your qualification will determine how far you will go in your career.”
ELVIS KABINDE (27)
National Diploma: Computer Systems Engineering
“College qualifications are more superior because their programmes are more practical, compared to ours that involve a lot of theoretical work.”
heita!
STAY IN THE PICTURE
Heita! is an electronic student newsletter of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
It is edited and published by the Directorate of Corporate Affairs and Marketing.
EDITOR
Gerrit Bester
TEL 012 382 4306
WRITE TO US AT
LAYOUT
This publication may contain third party advertisements and links to third party sites. The Tshwane University of Technology does not make any representation as to the accuracy or suitability of any of the information contained in these advertisements or sites and does not accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of those advertisements and sites and the offerings made by the third parties.
THAT’S A WRAP
All work and no play make Jack (and Jill) a dull boy (and girl).
win R300
The winner of the USB NOTEBOOK IS: PEARL MOLEKO (37), a Public Management student at the Soshanguve Campus.
It’s easy! All you have to do is answer the following
question (don’t fret, you should get the answer somewhere
in this edition): WHO IS THE WELL-KNOWN ACTRESS
WHO RECEIVED AN HONORARY DOCTORATE DEGREE
FROM TUT?
Please send your answer, name and contact number to heita@tut.ac.za on or before 31 December 2017. Mark the subject field: COMPETITION. The winner will be announced in the next edition. Only registered TUT students can enter.
Good luck!
ONALENNA SECHELE (20), a Mechanical Engineering student at the Pretoria Campus, is the winner of the competition featured in Heita! Vol9 no7 2017.
CONGRATULATIONS!
SPEND THE R300 WISELY.