In an effort to expose Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS) students to networking and collaboration while simultaneously allowing them to hone their research skills, public speaking skills, and holistic research confidence, the Faculty recently hosted its annual Emerging Researcher Conference (ERC).
The event’s theme was: Exploring New Frontiers – Emerging Researchers in Social Sciences, and it was held at the Cape Town Hotel School. In welcoming the guests, Director: Cape Town Hotel School, Dr Oswald Mhlanga, said the conference was dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practices in Business and Management Sciences and it was also an opportunity for emerging researchers to exchange knowledge, experiences, and views in the fields of marketing, public administration, sport and leisure management, tourism, event and hospitality management and human resources management. “It challenges scholars to reveal, share, question, critique, develop and rethink management ideas,” Mhlanga noted.
He said the conference was “very catchy and addressed the critical issues facing the industry today”, adding that the theme aligned with the Faculty strategy which places research as one of the key strategic areas of the university that contribute to the body of knowledge. “This conference provides a transformative experience for students whilst also offering substantial benefits to CPUT, and specifically the FBMS. This opportunity exposes students to a diverse cohort of academics, each bringing unique institutional insights and methodologies, whilst stimulating fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that enrich our research capabilities and educational practices.”
A total of 28 research studies were presented by FBMS students (comprising 10 Advanced Diploma research studies, four Postgraduate Diploma research studies, five Master’s degree research studies, and nine Doctoral degree research studies).
About 150 delegates from several institutions such as the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and external industry partners attended the event. Dr Chris Hattingh-Niekerk, Senior Lecturer: Event Management, who co-chaired the conference with Dr Juan-Pierré Bruwer, said the popularity of ERC has also reached an all-time high with platinum sponsorships received from Afrogem, Aquila Private Game Reserve. Afrogem sponsored silver Table Mountain and Africa Map pendants to the adjudicators for R10 000.
The Aquila Game Reserve sponsored an overnight stay that included breakfast, lunch, dinner, two game drives, and a stargazing safari to the value of R9580. Gold sponsorships were received from Europcar, Cape Town Tourism, Southern Sun City Lodge Hotel, Emerald Publishing, the Cape Town Hotel School, and the FBMS.
In his keynote address, titled: Navigating the Academic Journey with Passion and Purpose, Prof Nkosivile Madinga – Deputy Dean: Research, Internationalisation, and Socially Engaged Scholarship at UCT, picked up some few topics that he found trendy and catchy, such as:
- Influence of social media advertising on Generation Z and Y cohorts’ attitudes in the Western Cape
- Exploring Muslim tourists' halal food experiences in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town.
- Ethical leadership, accountability, and transparency in promoting good governance in the South African public sector.
- The influence of advertising on Instagram on purchase intention among Millennials in South Africa.
- Artificial Intelligence in higher education: Exploring ethical implications for education.
Addressing the emerging researchers, Madinga said: “I want to remind you that each one of you has something unique to contribute. Your research, your voice, and your journey matter. The road ahead won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. Keep believing in yourself, lean on the people around you, and never lose sight of why you started this journey in the first place.”
Hattingh-Niekerk was impressed by Madinga's speech, which was “exceptionally inspirational and resonated deeply with both student researchers and delegates”. He also highlighted the written commendation received on the quality of research studies presented by FBMS students by adjudicators during their debilitation of marks. “This made the hours behind the scenes in relation to organising the conference worthwhile.”
The energetic and motivational vibe experienced across venues when FBMS students presented their research studies and during the awarding of prizes also warmed Hattingh-Niekerk’s heart. “If research gets FBMS students so excited, then we are definitely doing something very right in the FBMS at CPUT.”
Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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