by Tebogo Tabane
Hard work, commitment and dedication paid off for three Animal Sciences students who have earned themselves an opportunity to pursue Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in Denmark. Mokgudi Dikgomo, Zwivhuya Kutama and Nhlamulo Makhuvhele, 3rd-year Diploma in Animal Science students, left the country last weekend and will be placed at Svanholmgard v/Soren Jeppesen (Feedlot Pig Farming) in Eskebjerg, Rasmus Olesen in Horsens (Pig Farming), Lerhogigaard (Dairy Farming) in Bramming, respectively.
Speaking at a send-off function, Prof Khathutshelo Nephawe, Head of the Department of Animal Sciences, said he was proud of the students on their remarkable journey. “This is testament of the quality of our programmes, both for undergraduates and postgraduates. We ensure that our programmes are of a high quality and are locally relevant, but at the same time globally competitive,” he said.
“In addition, we have requested Dr Moses Ratsaka, WIL Coordinator at the Department, to develop a robust system of tracking all the students who are placed overseas and develop a database to capture all these achievements and enable us to systematically visit the students that are placed,” Prof Nephawe added.
He said he is confident that the students will cope in Denmark. “TUT graduates have resilience and tenacity, after all, you are graduates of the People’s University that makes knowledge work,” added Prof Nephawe.
In conclusion, he thanked all Departmental staff members for ensuring that students are placed and visited regularly. “We must continue to work together to move the Department and TUT as a whole, from good to great,” he added.
In her congratulatory message, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka, said the sendoff was a special occasion. “It is not often that we get together to say goodbye to undergraduates who are going overseas to do their WIL. You are trail blazers and as you prepare to spread your wings, the Faculty would like to celebrate your achievements and milestones, as well as wish you all the best as you pursue this international WIL experience,” she said.
Recipients, Nhlamulo Makhuvele, Zwivhuya Kutama and Mokgudi Dikgomo with their gifts.
Pictured at the send-off function are: (Standing from left to right) Dr Moses Ratsaka, Ms Euphodia Sihlangu, Prof Bohani Mtileni, Ms Mpho Maphule, Ms Ayanda Ngxumeshe, Dr Cate Modiba. (Seated from left to right) Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka (Executive Dean, Faculty of Science), Zwivhuya Kutama, Nhlamulo Makhuvele, Mokgudi Dikgomo, Prof Khathutshelo Nephawe (HoD: Dept of Animal Sciences), Prof Yolanda Havenga (Acting Assistant Dean: Faculty of Science).