From left, Ms Adeshini McIntosh, HR Consultant –
CAES; Ms Manqhai Kraai, Developmental Lecturer:
School of Life Sciences Ambassador; Dr Sibusiso
Mthembu, Developmental Lecturer: School of
Chemistry and Physics Ambassador; Ms Busisiwe
Ramabodu, Manager: Human Resources
Development; Ms Zinhle Nzaji, Acting Director –
HRD and Ms Shereen Balkisson, Manager:
College HR – CAES.
As part of its commitment to being an “Employer of Choice for Graduates”, UKZN recently launched the Graduate Development Programme by exhibiting as an Employer at the recent Careers Exhibition in Pietermaritzburg and Durban campuses.
The programme has been a great success with many final year and postgraduate students expressing interest in pursuing a career in academia at UKZN.
The Programme, the brainchild of the Human Resources Division, is all about academic “talent and excellence”.
‘Students and graduates who are capable and driven are being identified to remain with the University and pursue a career in academia,’ said Mrs Busisiwe Ramabodu; Manager: Human Resource Development.
‘Our aim is to recruit graduates into various disciplines at various levels with the aim of employing them as full time UKZN employees. If eligible, graduates may be awarded scholarships to further their studies and in turn work for the University. Graduates who may not meet the criteria for the Scholarship, but who want to become academics have an option of pursuing their studies to Masters level and thereafter apply for Developmental Lecturer positions, as advertised on the University’s website, whilst pursuing their PhD studies,’ said Ramabodu.
Several academics, who are ambassadors of the programme, were at the launch and spoke positively about the initiative.
Dr Nolwazi Nombona, one of the ambassadors felt it was quite unique for a university to actively recruit its students to become academics.
‘The programme offers graduates the option to pursue two career paths that inevitably cross at any given point in time in an individual’s academic career depending on their career aspirations i.e. specialists or leaders in academia.’
‘In order to be in a leadership position in academia; one has to have demonstrated academic excellence by rising through the Specialisation Pathway. As higher education, we recognise that in order for UKZN to succeed as an academic institution nationally and globally; it requires a variety of capabilities across academic disciplines,’ said Ramabodu.
UKZN’s Graduate Development Programme launch continues in other campuses between 9am and 3pm as follows:
• 8 August HUM/ LMS – Westville – Westville Sports Centre
• 11 August HUM/ LMS – HC – Howard: SU Building
• 15 August AES – HC – UNITE Building
For more information, visit http://hr.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage.aspx or email Mrs Busi Ramabodu at ramabodub@ukzn.ac.za or phone: 031-2607831.