“The knowledge experience and exposure gained from this role, will not only will benefit student entrepreneurs at Mandela University, but also align the University on a national level to address graduate unemployment and engage in entrepreneurship as a viable career option” says Karen.
“This places Nelson Mandela University at the forefront of student entrepreneurship development and the development of student entrepreneurship practitioners” she adds.
Mandela University is also confirmed as a pioneer in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, advancing the aspirations of Vision 2030 to ‘develop graduates and diplomats to be responsible global citizens capable of critical reasoning, innovation and adaptability’ beyond the walls of the University.
EDHE aims to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of students, academics, and leaders, for students to be more successful in becoming economically active during and after their tertiary education.
This national platform, which is a DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training) programme supported by the University Capacity Development Programme, supports all 26 public universities.
Additionally, students Phutego Ntoke and Nelisiwe Sishange have been nominated to represent the University as part of the UK/SWEEP residential programme alongside Karen.
They will be among nine students, accompanied by their coordinators from eight public universities, embarking on a week-long journey of discovery from 25 April to 1 May in London, engaging in a series of workshops, site visits, and networking events, designed to inspire and empower.
Phutego is a Public Relations Advanced Diploma student based on George Campus, who has been a member of the Mandela Uni SWEEP Student Chapter, since it formed in 2022, as well as Nelisiwe, a final year Management Diploma student.
The British Council and EDHE collaborated to deliver this programme, which is envisioned to address the barriers to entrepreneurship faced by students and graduate women, through dedicated skills and opportunities intervention with a strong focus on leveraging UK expertise in the design and delivery of the intervention.