Dr Edgar Nesamvuni, Executive Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences.
Together with the CEO of Synergy Business Events, lecturers from TUT’s Department of Tourism Management, Dr Portia Pearl Siyanda Sifolo, Dr Lisa Welthagen and Lorraine Philisiwe Molefe, considered innovative ways to address the hard-hitting effects of the pandemic in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality sector as well as the Events Industry.
Amid all the socio-economic challenges that face young people, the Tourism Management Department pledged solidarity with Synergy Business Events to serve the many young people who still see value in pursuing and attaining qualifications in Event Management courses, hence the focus on the MICE readiness Programme.
TUT’s Advancement and Partnerships Office, under the leadership of Dr Eric Pule, administers the funding to ensure the fulfilment of the Synergy Business requirements, terms and conditions, especially in ensuring the previously disadvantaged receive funding.
According to Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Dr Edgar Nesamvuni, the Faculty and the Department of Tourism Management are excited by the dynamism and agility of businesses, such as Synergy Business Events that have vested their interests on the youth of the country to pursue their professional and business endeavours.
“Together we can make the future of the students brighter. The Faculty of Management’s Tourism Management Department remains committed towards cultivating new frontiers in tourism knowledge. Innovative teaching, current short courses and cutting-edge research anchored in stakeholder’s co-creation play a vital role in achieving this. Together with Synergy Business Events, we are co-creating a responsive environment that supports the empowerment of future ready students, inculcating industry relevance, as well as current and future experiences to equip them both as future entrepreneurs and knowledgeable responsible business leaders,” he added.
Dr Nesamvuni commended Synergy Business Events and Dr Portia Sifolo (Snr Lecturer, Department of Tourism Management) for their engagement and seeing the initiative through, in addition to their appeal to businesses and individuals to support the future of the students wherever possible.
The parties are currently exploring avenues to sign a memorandum of understanding to accommodate students (third-years) who need to complete their Work Integrated Learning phase, as well as ongoing funding for deserving third-year students.