|
Ekurhuleni West TVET College staff members attending the Excellence Awards ceremony. |
17 May 2024.
On May 17th, EWC proudly hosted the Academic Excellence Awards, a prestigious event honouring lecturers
who achieved an impressive 100% pass rate in the modules they taught. This momentous occasion recognized the
dedication and hard work of these exceptional educators, fostering a culture of continued student engagement
and validation. By presenting awards to our esteemed lecturers, we demonstrated our commitment to valuing
and celebrating their achievements, acknowledging their tireless efforts, and reinforcing their commitment
to academic excellence. The event served as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging all lecturers to strive for
similar success and reinforcing EWC's dedication to nurturing a community of academic distinction.
In his welcoming address, Mr. Pule Mashele, DHET Regional Manager, Gauteng and Free State, highlighted that the
Gauteng and Free State region has consistently been among the top-performing regions in the country. This, he
noted, is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and determination of our staff and management at our TVET
colleges.
"This outstanding performance is a direct result of our collective efforts to prioritize education
and skills development in our region. Our TVET colleges have been instrumental in providing high-quality training
and education to our students, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an ever-changing
economy," said Mr. Mashele.
In his address Mr Peter Mudau, EWC's Acting Principal, bragged about the college having transformed significantly, and
having moved away from
the struggling position it once occupied, and being ashamed to share such results publicly.
"We're now proud to boast
about our achievements! As we speak, our college has taken the top spot regionally in both Nated Business and
Engineering Studies, securing position number (1) regionally. Additionally, we've achieved positions three (3)
and four (4) in Engineering Nated nationally."
Mr. Mudau, praised the lecturers, saying, "These accomplishments
are a testament to our lecturers' unwavering commitment to excellence. Their dedication to teaching and mentoring
has made a significant impact on our students' academic journey, and we are grateful for their hard work and
perseverance."
He beamed with pride as he congratulated the deserving recipients of academic excellence
awards, presenting them with certificates in recognition of their outstanding achievements. "Today, we celebrate
the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of our students who have demonstrated exceptional academic prowess,"
he said, acknowledging the awardees' commitment to excellence. He further emphasized that excellence and great
performance among academic staff are crucial for TVET colleges to improve student results and enhance their
chances of gaining employment opportunities.
DHET-DDG: TVET Branch, Mr. Sam Zungu quoted Vince Lombardi, "Perfection is not attainable, but
if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."
Hon. Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, acknowledged the role played
by industry partners in providing students with work-based placements for internship purposes. He also noted that
the 10,000-mark set by the president for placing students with industry was exceeded, and EWC was at the top of
the list in colleges that placed more students. "It is through your partners that made that possible," said the
Deputy Minister. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between the college and industry
to ensure the continuation of student placements. He congratulated the academic staff who
had worked beyond their call of duty, earning them recognition.
Ms. Rosa Noffkë, Acting Deputy Principal Academic, praised the academic staff for their unwavering dedication to
shaping the future of students, inspiring them to reach new heights, and empowering them with essential knowledge
and skills. She explained that the criteria for nominating lecturers for awards were based on their exceptional
performance, specifically achieving a 100% pass rate and retention rate.
The event was attended by Hon Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation; Mr. Sam
Zungu, DHET – DDG: TVET Branch; Mr. Pule Mashele, DHET Regional Manager – Gauteng and Free State; a delegation
from Bluegrass Community College; industry partners; officials from various government departments; officials
from other educational fraternities; EWC staff, and student leadership. The event was directed by David Muleele,
EWC Marketing and Communication Manager.
|
|
Mr Peter Mudau, A/Principal EWC, delivering the welcoming address at the Academic Excellence Awards ceremony.
|
Deputy Minister, Hon Buti Manamela, delivering the keynote address at the ceremony. |
|
|
Deputy Minister, Hon Buti Manamela; Award recipient, Mr Roney Moalosi;
DDG, Mr Sam Zungu; Mr Peter Mudau,
A/Principal EWC, and Ms Rosa Nöffke, A/Deputy Principal Academic. |
DDG, Mr Sam Zungu introducing the ceremony's keynote speaker, Deputy Minister Buti Manamela. |
|