The CompLit4U project recently ran its second basic computer literacy training for 2022 with a group of 15 Campus Management Services (CMS) staff on the Westville campus.
The course was created by Dr Tanja Reinhardt, STEC@UKZN Co-ordinator, and Mr Sashlin Girraj, College of AES PR Officer, with the goal to empower CMS staff members with basic computer skills. The project has successfully trained close to 80 staff since its inception in 2019.
Throughout the week-long training, staff were taken through a range of topics including hardware vs software, creating documents, browsing the internet, how to use MS Outlook, and navigating the leave system.
Feedback from attendees was positive as they were able to apply what they learned to their own life experiences. ‘I can now help my children with their homework by using the internet,’ said Ms Beatrice Sibisi who has worked at the University for 12 years.
‘I got to send my first email,’ said an excited Ms Ncamisile Dlamini who has been at UKZN for the last seven years.
Having been at the University for six years, a very appreciative Ms Ntombikhona Gumede added that she was very grateful for the opportunity to gain computer skills.
Witnessing the project’s impact on staff, UKZN’s Human Resources Division (HRD) also threw its support behind the project by covering costs. ‘We believe in removing barriers to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to develop,’ said Mr Michael Cloete, acting Director: HRD.
Special thanks are extended to the project’s many supporters: Mr Michael Cloete and Ms Nqobile Molefe from HRD for covering costs and processing staff details; CMS Manager, Mr Sifiso Cele for promoting the training among staff; volunteer demonstrators, Mr Qiniso Nzuza, Mr Thembelani Khumalo, Mr Samkelo Njiva and Ms Bonginhlanhla Ndlovu; as well as Mr Ashwen Singh for providing a LAN for the training to take place.
With this project, the hope is that staff get introduced to computer basics and are empowered to further their computer skills on their own. This is in line with the Empowered People enabler (Enabler 2) of the UKZN Strategic Plan which places people at the centre of its operations.
Reinhardt and Girraj hope to eventually reach all 2 500+ CMS staff with this project.
View pictures from the training here
Words: Sashlin Girraj
Photographs: Nombulelo Mdlaka, Sashlin Girraj and Qiniso Nzuza
