KNYSNA NEWS - Following the 2013 establishment of the Eden Community College (ECC) campus, John Noble, college mentor and director of The Business Revolution of which the college forms an integral part, raised the Cornerstone flag of education in Knysna at the beginning of 2014.
He and his team committed themselves to making the learning experience more engaging, more collaborative, effective and affordable. They set out to create an environment for the modern student. The college now offers academic courses in design, business leadership, education and theology. Trade courses in entrepreneurship, trades, hospitality and technology are available and these courses are tailored to the specific needs of individuals and organisations in the fields of leadership, management, and service.
Short enrichment courses are also offered in the arts, crafts, and personal development fields.
“Breaking new ground in tertiary education is about more than providing a textbook and students working on their own and sitting down for their exams at the end of the year. This is a learning community where interaction and peer instruction form part and parcel of the learning plan. Through the provision of either a physical place or a virtual space, interaction with the lecturer is ensured allowing students to ask questions, discuss ideas, engage and interact with the subject matter, other experts and mentors," says Noble.
Noble says that ECC will meet the changing needs of society by building on its traditions of innovation, problem-solving, and interdisciplinarity.
* To create and disseminate knowledge and art through research and creative inquiry, teaching and learning, and to transfer intellectual and artistic product to enhance society in meaningful and sustainable ways.
* To serve students by teaching them problem-solving, leadership and teamwork skills, and the value of a commitment to quality, ethical behaviour, and respect for others.
* To achieve these ends by pursuing the advantages of a diverse and relatively small university community, open to the exchange of ideas, where discovery, creativity, and personal and professional development can flourish.
Noble says the ECC forms part of his enterprise as a development foundation (economic development agency). “Our mission is to create economic freedom for all South Africans through education, leadership development, skills training and community support. We are committed to enabling the development of self-sustaining, community-owned businesses, especially on the Garden Route."
The ECC programmes support the growth of self-sustaining businesses by following these principles:
* Pragmatic education and skills training relevant to local industries;
* Community-owned incubator spaces and workshops;
* Support networks and mentoring.
The ECC's community engagement initiative, called The Hope Initiative, engages communities in programmes for self-development. These programmes include:
* RevCentre incubator spaces provide community workspaces.
* Enterprise Development Network provides community support and mentoring.
* Transformational Leadership Programme.
* Providing business conferences and workshops that are open to the community.
* Relationships make the world go around.
* Money follows relationships.
* People are the centre of society.
* People are fundamentally good.
* When we invest in people we get a return.
* People have infinite potential.
* A united South Africa will achieve its objectives.
* If we network people we will increase innovation, collaboration and partnering for social good.
On Sunday, December 6, The Business Revolution and Eden Community College held their first prize-giving ceremony and awards at the Shepherd’s Tree in Gordon Street which also celebrated its re-opening. The Shepherd’s Tree also showcases products made through the RevCetnre, the incubator programme at the ECC.
Councillor Richard Dawson opened the ceremony by symbolically splashing paint on an already colourful canvas representing the creativity of students and the vast possibilities when students get the opportunity to engage within a community.
The following students received awards: Stella Nkhoma received a certificate for the successful completion of the Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Beading Programme as well as the New Craftsman Award. Candice Yoko received the Cornerstone Excellence Award. Chanel Charleson received the Hope Student Award, Joe-Dene Janklaas received the Spirit of Enterprise Award. David Hall received the Academic Achievement Award and Rosi Ndlovu received a certificate for the successful completion of the Beginners Beading Programme. John Wilchut, Francois Geldenhuys and Tania Noble received the Eden Leadership Foundation’s Redeemed Community Award and Geldenhuys also received the Rép Award. Yvete Wilschut received the Transformer Award. Life Community Services in George received the Business Revolution Enterprise Impact Award, and Novel Creations received the Business Revolution Revolution Award. Thelma Mamfengu received the Business Revolution Rock Award.
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