UKZN reached out to thousands of learners in KwaZulu-Natal at its Open Days on the Pietermaritzburg and Westville campuses.
The flagship annual event provides an opportunity for youngsters in Grades 11 and 12 to learn more about the various academic programmes on offer at UKZN, as well as the University’s admission criteria, application process, student support services and types of available funding.
Representatives from the four Colleges answered questions from the visitors and offered brochures, pamphlets and information booklets about study choices.
College of Health Sciences’ students offered a range of health tests including hearing, vision, blood pressure, body mass index as well as training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the Heimlich manoeuvre and oral hygiene.
A Grade 12 learner of Tshelenkosi Secondary School in Shakaville, Ms Nontobeko Sangweni, was excited to learn more about a career in Physiotherapy. ‘I’m passionate about healing people through massage,’ said Sangweni. ‘I spend a lot of time massaging my family members as well as fellow classmates. I hope my application to UKZN is successful so I can join this team of health professionals.’
College of Humanities representatives discussed the application and selection criteria for admission into any of the programmes on offer in the College. Pupils from as far as Greytown and KwaDukuza were at the six Schools within the College to find out more about career choices.
Our Lady of the Rosary Secondary School pupil, Ms Nelisiwe Maphumulo, said: ‘Being here and getting to know about all the degrees and admission requirements made me realise that I want to study here to become a teacher.’ Maphumulo says she plans to study hard during her matric year to get the sort of results that will ensure entry to the University.
Matric pupil, Ms Husna, Tayob of Zakariyya Muslim School in KwaDukuza said: ‘I want to study for a degree in Psychology and I think UKZN is the best place to help me become a psychologist. Attending Open Day has been very informative and now I know more about my career options and the entry requirements.’
Hundreds of prospective students who visited the College of Law and Management Studies information stands were keen to learn about careers in law, accounting, information technology, business, management, economics and finance. Apart from hearing about what the College has to offer from College academics and representatives, the students also interacted with Law students who shared insights from a student’s perspective and enjoyed demonstrations of flying drones and other technological experiences facilitated by Information Systems and Technology students.
Kwabazothini High School pupil, Ms Thando Nkosi, chatted with representatives from the School of Law, finding out about the process and requirements to study law. She said witnessing a messy divorce in her family pushed her to want to pursue a career in family law to help ensure no other family has to go through what hers did,’ said Nkosi.
Prospective students visiting the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science’s exhibits were treated to a programme that included “magical” scientific displays from Dr Tanja Reinhardt of the Science and Technology Education Centre (STEC). Students from the schools of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Life Sciences showed them sheep, snakes and hedgehogs, as well as the Automatic Weather Station in action.
Chemistry and Physics senior students attracted visitors with exciting, eclectic displays and activities, including physical and analytical chemistry experiments involving fool’s gold and golden rain, while others demonstrated “burning” money and crushing cans. Physics students invited guests to test physical distribution by reclining on a bed of nails, and created fascinating patterns using a homography demonstration.
Student societies were also in action, with the Pietermaritzburg Rowing Club allowing visitors to try out their rowing machines.
Other societies which invited student participation included the Golden Key Society, the Community Development Association, the Youth Sebenza Student Movement, Inhlangano Development Agenda, Christian Revival Church, Assembly of God, Campus Connect, and the Sivikela Ikusasa Youth Organisation.
Words: Ndabaonline
Photographs: Albert Hirasen and Itumeleng Masa
