FIRST YEAR STUDENTS KICK OFF WITH ORIENTATION WEEK
Before the start of the academic year, first year students were invited to attend the annual Orientation Week which is designed to help them navigate through the campus, meet their lecturers and classmates during the academic days and make new friends during social days before the start of lectures.During the two academic days, first year students attended onboarding during which they were introduced to their programme and what they could expect throughout the year, met their lecturers and met their classmates through speed friendship. During Programme Orientation they were addressed and officially welcomed by Rajesh Chandarman Campus Head The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North and they met their Programme Managers. First year students made new friends during the social days which took place at uShaka Marine World and On Point Waterfront for the annual Wet ‘n Wild Day and Pub Lunch and Quiz which also gave them the opportunity to meet first years from The IIE’s Varsity College Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses. OChella – the Student Services Campus Fun Day – themed Coachella this year, featured stalls by the Student Services team (VC Cares, Social, Sport, VC Voice & Career Centre.) Each stall had fun activities including puzzle games, rock paintings, face jewels, henna, soccer etc. As part of the entertainment there were live performances from 2 current students, DJ’s and a fire dancer. The Student Services portfolio heads, and committee chairs introduced themselves during interviews. Redbull sponsored sound and Red Bull drinks.“Students, I hope you have enjoyed your O’Week events and that you have connected with other students in your lectures, over the next few years you will make friends that will, more than likely be lifelong friends and work colleagues. The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North team are passionate about delivering a quality tertiary student experience, by supporting you in your journey where you, as a young adult aspire to become a meaningful contributor and influencer in the South African workplace and society. Best wishes on your journey to graduation,” said Rajesh Chandarman (Campus Head The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North).The first year students, who have joined the The IIE’s Varsity College community, with a student body of over 20 000 students, across its eight campuses (the ninth campus being The IIE’s Varsity College Online) with over 45 000 students, can look forward to portfolio weeks in the next month where they will be introduced, in detail, to The IIE’s Varsity College Student Services team made up of VC Voice, the Career Centre, VC Cares, Sport and Social.
Latest Durban North
- The IIE VC Community Law ClinicTo fulfil the need for a Law Clinic which will offer free legal assistance to vulnerable members of the North Durban community, The IIE’s Varsity College Community Law Clinic was recently launched at The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North campus. The Law Clinic opened its doors to the community on Tuesday, 3 May 2022 at 12pm and will be open four afternoons a week between Monday and Thursday from 12pm to 4pm as well as on the last Saturday of each month from 9am to 12pm.“We are thrilled to have launched critical pilot project, and the opening of the Law Clinic serves as an important milestone in the growth of The IIE’s Varsity College’s School of Law. We are looking forward to the Law Clinic playing a significant role in servicing members of the local community”, said Fiona Kaplan Head School of Law of The IIE’s Varsity College.The IIE Varsity College Community Law Clinic’s mission is to give high-quality legal advice and services to people who cannot afford private legal representation. The Law Clinic also aims to provide outstanding clinical legal training for the IIE LLB law students, incorporating social justice awareness and ethics, as well as instilling in them a community service-oriented approach to law and care for others. The Law Clinic will also be a forum for the academic community to collaborate on research that will help the vulnerable.Guests who attended the launch included Judges Mahendra Chetty & Thumba Pillay, Advocate Andrea Gabriel SC who provided the keynote speech on ‘The importance of law clinics in the current South African climate’ and Professor David McQuoid-Mason who also spoke on this topic. Mr. Andre Britz, Provincial Legal Manager: Legal Aid KZN and the UKZN Acting Dean: Law Adrian Bellengere were also in attendance.
- VC Cares CANSA Shavathon(front.l.t.r) VC Cares (student volunteer) Committee members Brenna Moeletsi (1st year IIE High Certificate in Communication Practices), Amahle Hedder (2nd year IIE Bachelor of Laws), Ntokozo Mthembu (2nd year IIE Bachelor of Arts) and Nicole Padayachee (3rd year IIE Bachelor of Laws) with (back.l.t.r) Eshana Ratibar (Student Wellness Manager) and Weasema Aboo (3rd year The IIE Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase) The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North during their campus’ recent CANSA Shavathon. Students and staff shaved and sprayed their hair to help VC Cares raise a total of R1 045.00.
- STUDENTS HEAR FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTSMore than 130 final year students recently attended an annual Careers Evening themed “The Seat at the Table” where they heard from and networked with industry experts and connected with prospective employers at The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North.“The transition from student to a young professional is challenging but fulfilling. Going from being student to a young professional one does not only have an obligation to yourself but also to the organisation you work for. Show up every day and make sure you are constantly resourceful for the company. My key tip to final year students - Be curious! The best thing you can do for yourself is to take initiative and take your career seriously,” said Andiswa Nkambule Customer Management Trainee at RCL Foods and The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North Alumna.Other guest speakers included Justine Pillay (Software Developer Trainee at 2CANA) who provided tips on what to do before applying for a job and how her work life has impacted her self-esteem and overall development. The final guest speaker Mthoko Shange (Founder of Imbizo Foundation) kept the students engaged with his talk on ‘A seat at the Table’ - how students can secure a seat and the necessary steps they need to take to attain the seat.Companies that attended the event to engage with final year students included the Mr Price Group, KPMG, PKF, Business Partners, Caxton Media, EXACT ERP, Department of Employment & Labour and BDO.
- World Heritage DayA colourful display celebrating World Heritage Day by the joint student committees (Student Volunteer Bodies) The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North during one of the campus’ recent Meridian Hour events. The fun filled hour engaged the wider student body with a colourful display of all cultures from around the world, through exciting dance performances, a cultural fashion show and a fun quiz game on the different types of heritages.
- DETERMINATION LEADS TO SUCCESSTo advance her academic career and because she is motivated by her passion for the discipline and the desire to see it grow in South Africa, Tracey Haselau (The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North Programme Manager: School of Humanities and Social Science) pursued and recently graduated with a PhD in Psychology. Tracey’s biggest inspirations are senior academics who contribute to their professions while guiding their students and her aspiration is to be the best possible role model for her daughter.“The biggest challenge I’ve faced was during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown - I was heavily pregnant, working towards completing my PhD while also trying to navigate online lecturing. I had to learn how to manage my time effectively and break up my day into doable segments to get through it all. I realised that making progress towards goals is all about the daily choices we make,” said Tracey. She continued: “Some of my proudest moments were graduating with my PhD, having my daughter Ava there with me and I also celebrate every time one of my own students crosses the stage in their graduation gown.”Tracey published a paper based on one of her PhD research findings, which will, in turn, be published in the journal 'Teaching of Psychology' in a special edition. Her key mentor is Professor Lisa Saville Young who supervised her PhD research and mentored her as a young academic. “I have learnt so much from her and continue to look up to her even after graduating,” said Tracey.This year Tracey plans to submit a chapter for a book for African Higher Education Institutions called ‘Theorising Research, Innovation, and Internationalisation’, and she will continue to produce articles and contribute to the subject of psychology and higher education.Tracey’s advice to anyone wanting to further their studies: “Take it one step at a time and set small daily goals. It all adds up. Be persistent and systematic in approaching large sections of work. Ask for help – you don’t need to struggle alone.”
- Information Evening(f.l.t.r): Social Committee (Student Volunteer Body) members Dhiya Kussial (3rd year IIE Bachelor of Arts), Emily West (3rd year IIE Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication) and Tayla Walker (3rd year IIE Bachelor of Arts) at the recent Qualification Information Evening held at The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North with the aim of providing prospective students with the opportunity to find out more about their qualifications of interest. Programme Managers, Lecturers, Student Advisors and Student Committee Members were on hand to answer any questions and share information.
