FBMS hosts inaugural Hybrid International Week

The Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) recently hosted its inaugural Hybrid International Week at the Cape Town Hotel School, Granger Bay Campus.

The event, which brought together international and local universities, businesses as well as government representatives, was aimed at strengthening the faculty’s strategic partnerships. The theme of the event was: Re-imagining internationalisation post Covid-19, focusing on the lessons learned, while navigating the new normal.

Prof Paul Green, the Dean of FBMS, opened the event and welcomed the guests, as well as extended sympathies to the Turkish partners who were forced to withdraw their attendance due to the disaster that recently hit their nation. Amongst the attendees were Prof Judy Peter, Director for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, who delivered a keynote address, Dr Carla Enslin, Head of Postgraduate Studies at Vega School, who spoke about brand resonance, members of the Student Representative Council, President of the CPUT Convocation, Lwandile Socikwa, as well as international visitors from Germany, Slovakia, Finland, Reunion Island and Russia. They all presented an overview of their institutions and countries.

Green commended all attendees for participating in the event, recognising their attendance as a symbol of the shared vision in respect of strengthening collaborations and ending his address with the African Proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Green said: “I want to wish you a successful event, may the deliberations be invigorating, and provoke your thinking as well as extend your boundaries, I thank you, enkosi.”

Andiswa Mrasi, Acting Manager – Strategic Initiatives and Projects at FBMS, said the positive feedback they received from guests and colleagues was “heart-warming”. “Putting together an event of this magnitude, marking the first of its kind in the entire institution was quite overwhelming. I am beyond humbled that it all went well, and of course I cannot claim the glory alone. We were supported by several individuals and departments within the faculty as well as across the university - we remain grateful,” said Mrasi.

Mrasi said her faculty was committed to producing the policy makers of tomorrow, the game changers of tomorrow, particularly from a developing country and continent such as South Africa and Africa respectively, “where we are still facing inequality and poverty”. “So, we are also at the heart of civil society. We want to ensure that we produce graduates who are not only able to read and wright, but those who will have a broader understanding of the world, and make an impact on those who did not have the opportunity to be a university graduate. ”Reflecting on the event, Acting Head of the Department of Management and Project Management, Nobuhle Luphondo said: “It was very important for us to know what is being offered on the other side so that we can relate that to what we are offering, for us to able to see some areas of collaborations.”

The three-day event also included presentations by international universities and industry partners, excursions and community engagement with township tour to Gugulethu 7 Memorial, Unako Children’s Home, Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre, and a South African lunch at Tee’s Lounge.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: boyceap@cput.ac.za