PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay could soon be home to a new tertiary institute following a commitment by the Bitou Municipality to support the initiative.
During a recent council meeting, Professor Anele Hammond of Engadin' Stiftung, a public benefit organisation that aims to alleviate poverty through education, presented findings emanating from extensive research conducted by academics over the past decade under the supervision of the University of Zurich in Switzerland.
In her presentation, Hammond also shared the findings of an assessment done on Plettenberg Bay which showed what the local economy would need to function effectively. Her assessment included a skills evaluation on local youth and economically active adults.
"The research findings overwhelmingly recommended rethinking of skill sets taught and comprehensive grooming of our youth through a reimagined tertiary institution. This is needed to meet the demands of our economy, while solving youth unemployment," municipal spokesman Andile Namntu said.
New-generation university
The organisation therefore committed itself to establish a "new generation" university in Plettenberg Bay: The Engadin' Institute of Aeronautics, Agriculture and Innovative Social Entrepreneurship.
Hammond announced that funding has been secured and that they are currently in the process of pursuing licensing through the Department of Higher Education. The council unanimously resolved to support the initiative.
Hammond said the university would offer skills development courses tailor-made for the early school leavers. "Those youngsters that leave school before obtaining a senior certificate will be able to obtain skills that would make them employable or able to establish their own SMMEs. There is a major gap for skilled plumbers, bricklayers and other important career paths," she said.
"Those professions that are seen not be so glamorous should be respected, because they are important too. The economy needs waiters and plumbers just as much as it needs doctors and lawyers. We need a comprehensive skills catalogue to function effectively."
The proposed university will also have a very strong business management and legal focus as these skills were found to be crucial in creating business opportunities and jobs, and restoring the dignity of people.
Hammond explained that the university would likely be fully implemented in the coming five years. Some courses will however be implemented immediately and these include a Transactional Law Clinic, Business Development and Business Incubation.
According to Hammond, most of the groundwork for the establishment of the institution has been completed and is ready for implementation.
Ideal venue identified
One issue that still needs to be addressed is acquiring suitable land. An ideal venue has been identified, but Namntu said the announcement would be made once all the processes have been concluded.
Councillor Mphakamisi Mbali said the institution would fill "a huge gap that we are currently experiencing in Bitou". "That gap is the dealing with early school dropouts as well as graduate employability. The presentation speaks directly to the issues raised by the National Youth Development Agency."
According to Bitou Mayor Peter Lobese, the institution would lead Bitou on another economic trajectory and would open up many doors for the people of the town.
"It will attract skills development opportunities and create new possibilities for those that want to further their education but are being prevented to do so due to full-time work commitments. It will also provide additional benefits to the municipality in terms of new revenue streams and could have an impact on our economy by boosting existing sectors and developing new ones," Lobese said.
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