Direkteur van die NWU-PBS nou voorsitter van die AHi

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1 Oktober 2014 Direkteur van die NWU-PBS nou voorsitter van die AHi NWU PBS considered as one of SA s top five business schools in PMR business school ranking Dit begin alles hier AHi-KONGRES 2014, KZN FOTO GENEEM TYDENS GALA-DINEE OP 10 OKTOBER 2014 Links na Regs: Christo Botes (nuutverkose 1ste Visepresident), min. Lindiwe Zulu (Minister van Kleinsake); Theo Vorster (Galileo Capital); mev Vinitha Gordhan; min Pravin Gordhan (Minister van Plaaslike Regering); mev Amanda Deysel; mnr Ben Deysel (uitgtrede AHi President), Merlyn van der Rheede; Christo van der Rheede (AHi Uitvoerende Hoof); Deon Huysamer (Oudpresident), mnr Banie Claasen (ABSA) en prof Tommy du Plessis.

2 Inhoudsopgawe Direkteur van die NWU-PBS nou voorsitter van die AHi Prof Leon serves on Vuselela TVET s board NWU PBS s Raymond Parsons chairs WTO information session Almal baat by volledige MBA-alumni-databasis NWU PBS considered as one of SA s top 5 business schools in PMR business school ranking 8ste IBC-konferensie oorskry verwagtinge Reading and Comprehension Programme at Promosa Secondary School Potchefstroom Mej-aardekroon vir diploma-alumnus Cancer issues enjoy attention Só maak jy kliënte perfekte kliënte BRICS brands in global rankings, under the loop on Prestige Day 2014 MBA-studente doen voorleggings vir hul maatskappy-projekte tydens die winterstudieskool in Vanderbijlpark Wêreldklasnavorsing op familie-ondernemings Innovasie en entrepreneurskap moet saam loop Synergy needed to grow community garden / Small steps to feed a community Redakteur: Marilize Minné, e-pos marilize.minne@nwu.ac.za Tel:

3 Direkteur van die NWU-PBS nou voorsitter van die AHi Die direkteur van die NWU Potchefstroom Besigheidskool (NWU-PBS) op die NWU se Potchefstroomkampus is verkies as voorsitter van die Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHi). Prof Tommy du Plessis sal vir die volgende jaar in hierdie hoedanigheid dien. Dit is n geweldige eer, sê prof Tommy. Hy is die tweede NWU-personeellid in drie jaar om verkies te word as voorsitter van die AHi. Hy volg naamlik in die voetspore van dr Theuns Eloff. Hy sê sy verkiesing as voorsitter gee erkenning aan die NWU-PBS en die gehalte werk wat by die Skool gedoen word. Dit is duidelik dat die AHi heelwat vertroue in my het. Tydens my inhuldiging as voorsitter was die boodskap duidelik dat ons moet seker maak dat die kleinsakeomwenteling n werklikheid word, sê hy. Daar is baie wonderlike dinge wat op die sakefront in Suid-Afrika gebeur het sedert 1994, en dit is belangrik om dit ook te erken. Ons moet positief wees en verandering dryf om tot voordeel te wees van die ekonomie. Prof Tommy sê een van die beste maniere om dit te laat gebeur, is vir die AHi om met ander instansies saam te werk om ekonomiese ontwikkeling uit te bou en n gunstige klimaat te skep waarbinne veral klein sakeondernemings kan groei en floreer. Een van sy nuwe verantwoordelikhede sal wees om n werkbare besigheidsmodel vir die AHi en die onderskeie sakekamers daar te stel. Dit behels dat sakekamers meer professioneel gemaak word, vennootskappe tussen die ministerie en kleinsakeondernemings tot stand gebring word, vennootskappe tussen sakekamers en munisipaliteite gefasiliteer word, en die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan geïmplementeer word. Hy sê sy verkiesing as voorsitter van die AHi is beslis een van die hoogtepunte van sy loopbaan. Ek sal my bes doen om die posisie waardig te wees. Prof Tommy du Plessis, direkteur van die NWU Potchefstroom Besigheidskool, is die nuwe voorsitter van die Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHi). Die AHi gebruik deesdae die akroniem meer gereeld aangesien hulle hulself geposisioneer het as n inklusiewe organisasie wat die breër gemeenskap dien.

4 Prof Leon serves on Vuselela TVET s board In September 2013, Prof Leon Jackson was approached by support staff from Vuselela College and informed that he will be nominated to become an external additional member for the board (after the terms of several external additional members expired). The minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, earlier this year supported the nomination of Prof Leon. FET Colleges are now also part of the tertiary higher education sector. Legislation requires that overview function over the institutions should be maintained by a board that consists of both internal and external members. Internal members represent internal stakeholders such as students, academic members of staff as well as support staff. External members represent nominations by the minister and additional external members who can be nominated by different external stakeholders such as employers. Prof Leon will serve on the board for a term of five years. An induction workshop was presented to all new board members by the Department of Higher Education at the beginning of October in Rustenburg. The first board meeting of the college took place on Monday 20 October 2014 at the head office in Klerksdorp. During this meeting, Prof Leon was appointed chairperson of the planning- and resources committee of the college. The different committees will start with their respective work roles later this year. Part of Leon s duties will be the development and implementation of an annual strategic plan, which will include aspects such as the possible revision and reconsideration of the vision and mission, values and strategic goals. This is the first time in my academic career that I have dealt with colleges. I have provided teaching at primary and secondary schools as well as at universities, but not yet at colleges. This is therefore a new challenge that Prof Leon is looking forward to, especially in light of the role that colleges can play in the fight against unemployment among our youth. Prof Leon Jackson.

5 NWU PBS s Raymond Parsons chairs WTO information session Professor Raymond Parsons of the NWU PBS chaired a one-hour information session at the beginning of a full day programme on 17 September to mark the award of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) Chair in International Trade to Professor Wilma Viviers, Leader of The TRADE research entity in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the NWU. This is one of only seven chairs awarder globally in 2014 by the WTO and is held for a four-year period by the successful recipients. Mr David Shark - Deputy Director General: WTO and Prof Raymond Parsons from the NWU Potchefstroom Business School. Commenting on the session, Professor Parsons says it was a unique opportunity for senior staff and researchers of the TRADE research entity to engage with top representatives of the WTO on key questions relating to world trade and investment. He added that it also made for quality time in which to exchange views on the role of the WTO in the world economy, as well as on the value that the Chair will add to the international trade research and teaching of the Faculty. The award of the WTO Chair is a great honour for the University, the Faculty and Professor Viviers. Prof Wilma Viviers of the NWU was awarded a WTO Chair. She is one of only seven recipients worldwide of such an honour this year. Mr David Shark, the Deputy Director-General of the WTO, Prof Dan Kgwadi, the NWU s Vice-Chancellor and Mr Maarten Smeets of the WTO congratulate her during the WTO Chair launch at the NWU.

6 Almal baat by volledige MBA-alumnidatabasis Die NWU-PBS se MBA-alumni-databasis is al vir n geruime tyd minder aktief en -volledig as wat ons sou verkies. Die hoofrede kan toegeskryf word aan die feit dat MBA-gegradueerdes gereeld van werk wissel weens werkpromosies en geleenthede wat opduik. Nog n rede vir die onaktiewe ledetal is die nalatigheid van alumni om hul besonderhede by te hou en ons te kontak. Die NWU-PBS het in middel 2014, n massa-poging van stapel gestuur om hierdie databasis up and running vir die groot feesvieringe vir die 50ste bestaan van die MBA te kry. Prof Tommy du Plessis wil graag elke alumnus by hierdie 50ste bestaanvieringe betrek. Harde werk, goeie insette en sinergie het goeie vrugte afgewerp. n Komitee is saamgestel, bestaande uit NWU-PBS-kollegas (wat ook hul MBA by die NWU- PBS verwerf het), en ander kollegas: Prof Stephan van der Merwe, prof Leon Jackson, prof Tommy du Plessis, me Marita Heyns, mnr Johan Jordaan, mnr Johan Coetzee, me Marilize Minné (Skakelbeampte) en me Leanie van Ronge (administratief), mnr Frik Prinsloo (Alumnikantoor) en me Yolandi Haasbroek (Alumnikantoor). Hierdie poging was n samewerkingsooreenkoms tussen die NWU-PBS en die NWU-alumnikantoor. Die MBA-databasis het in Mei vanjaar oor n skamele ledetal van 780 aktiewe lede beskik. Hierdie getal het sowaar die merk, na afloop van dié projek bereik. Dit was n redelik ingewikkelde proses wat stadig begin het, maar mettertyd momentum behaal het. Die onderskeie jaartalle, waarvan daar 50 in totaal is, is aan sekere lede van die komitee gestuur waar hulle verantwoordelik was vir die skakeling met die lede. Hulle het meeste van die lede telefonies gekontak om hul besonderhede op te dateer. Die volledige lyste is weer terugbesorg en alumni is in jaargroepverband deur middel van n massa-e-pos genader om hul besonderhede te kontroleer en te verfyn, sou daar enige veranderinge wees. Alumni is ook gevra om die e-pos aan lede met wie hulle steeds kontak het, te versprei. Daar was ongelukkig ook n paar kinkels in die kabel! Daar is lede van wie ons geen kontakbesonderhede het nie. Die een rede wat n bydraende faktor kan wees, is die feit dat daar op daardie stadium nog geen e-posfasiliteite of selfone was nie. Hierdie lede val ook onder van die oudste alumni wat hul MBA in die 1980 s en 1990 s verwerf het. Ons poog steeds om hierdie lede deur middel van ander kanale op te spoor. Goeie samewerking en terugvoering van ons alumni het groot sukses tot gevolg gehad en ons spog vandag met aktiewe lede wat deurentyd nuusbriewe en ander vorme van kommunikasie van hul alma mater, die NWU-PBS, sal ontvang. Baie dankie aan almal wat n bydrae gelewer het om hierdie projek so suksesvol te maak!

7 NWU PBS considered as one of SA s TOP 5 BUSINESS SCHOOLS in PMR business school ranking T he AMBA-accredited NWU Potchefstroom Business School (NWU PBS) is one of SA s top five accredited business schools. PMR has identified the leading institutions in the country that offer MBAs and other business degrees. The NWU PBS offers first-class business management training to leaders and managers who intend to broaden their knowledge and expand their skills set. Programmes include a PhD in Business Administration, MBA, Post-graduate Diploma in Management and a range of short learning programmes in management-related fields.

8 8ste IBC-konferensie oorskry verwagtinge Die agtste Internasionale Besigheidskonferensie (IBC) word as die beste tot dusver (weens die hoë kwaliteit en gehalte daarvan) beskou. Vanjaar se konferensie is op Augustus in die pragtige Namibiese kusdorpie, Swakopmund aangebied. Die NWU Potchefstroom Besigheidskool, wat n primêre rol in die organisering en aanbieding van dié konferensie vertolk, is nie verniet n internasionaal geakkrediteerde sakeskool nie, maar leef beslis op daarna. Prof Christo Bisschoff van die NWU-PBS, tesame met prof Kobus Jonker van NMMU, beklee die portefeulje van medevoorsitter vir die IBCkonferensie. As organiseerders is dit vir die komitee belangrik om n internasionale platform te skep vir die aanbieding, Die volgende lede sal vanaf 2015 op die raad dien: Prof Geoffrey Bick (UCT); Prof Edward Ramkumese (TUT); Prof Eileen Mazibuku (NMMU), Prof Kobus Jonker (NMMU); Prof Christo Bisschoff (NWU-PBS); Prof Mornay Roberts-Lombaard (UJ); Prof Johan v Zyl (UOFS); Prof Stephan v d Merwe (NWU-PBS); Dr Cobus Oosthuizen (Millpark Business School).

9 bespreking en debatvoering oor diverse akademiese en professionele benaderings wat tydens die konferensie na vore kom, veral met betrekking tot die ewige kompleksiteit van die besigheidsomgewing. Altesaam 165 referate is vir vanjaar se konferensie ingedien. Referate is deur middel van n dubbelblinde, ewekniegeëvalueerde oorsigmetode gekeur en 100 referate is aanvaar. n Totaal van 95 referate is aangebied en die konferensie is deur akademici uit verskillende internasionale affiliasies soos Amerika, Duitsland, Poland, Namibië, Kenia en Botswana verteenwoordig. Prof Raymond Parsons van die NWU-PBS het vanjaar tydens sy openingstoespraak die sake-uitdagings in n wêreld na Pikkety aangespreek. Prof Deon Nel van die Universiteit van Pretoria was die hoofspreker vir die geleentheid. n Totaal van 14 referate is deur die beoordelaars genomineer vir die Wen Referaat-toekennings. Dié referate is weer beoordeel waarna n kortlys van vyf referate opgetrek is en daarna verder uitgedun is om die uiteindelike kategoriewenners aan te wys. Die wenners is deur drie hoë profiel, onafhanklike beoordelaars aangewys. Prof Van Aardt Smit van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat en medeouteur, Dr Neneh Ngek van Kameroen, het die eerste plek losgeslaan. Die tweede plek het aan me Jasmine Goliath, prof Shelley Farrington en me Shelley Saunders van NMMU behoort. Marita Heyns van die NWU-PBS en Greg Roberts, n MBA-student aan die NWU-PBS, het die derde plek behaal. Kontantpryse is aan die wenners toegeken. Die Skool vir Mensehulpbronwetenskappe aan die EBWfakulteit van die NWU het ook n goeie teenwoordigheid by die konferensie gehad en verskeie hoë kwaliteit referate is gelewer. n Nuwe onafhanklike adviesraad is gedurende die agtste IBC-konferensie, ter bevordering van etiese en progressiewe funksionering van die kongres (in samewerking met die bestuur), saamgestel.

10 Reading and Comprehension Programme at Promosa Secondary School Potchefstroom The local media reported very negatively on the matriculation results of Promosa Secondary School for It even got the attention of the North West Provincial Legislature s Portfolio Committee on Education. In the past (1980/1990s), this school had outstanding results and could even boast a 100% pass rate on more than one occasion. Prof Leon Jackson, a lecturer at the North-West University s Potchefstroom Business School (NWU PBS) and former learner and teacher at Promosa Secondary School, has identified this as a community development initiative that needs to be addressed as a corporate social responsibility project. A need assessment process to determine the extent of the problem was facilitated and it was decided to mobilise funding to facilitate training and development solutions. Fred Botha (Promosa Secondary School) and Prof Leon Jackson (NWU Potchefstroom Business School). It is a common fact that the reading ability of the learners has a direct influence on their scholastic performance. Compared to many of the schools in Potchefstroom, Promosa Secondary School unfortunately lacks facilities such as a reading laboratory or even a library. However, no child should be disadvantaged in life through the lack of facilities. says Prof Jackson. It was for this reason that the NWU PBS decided to take the matter up with the school. The school was advised to solve this problem by assessing the extent of the reading and comprehension problem and it was decided to request the Tina Cowley Reading Centre in Potchefstroom to do the assessment. This assessment showed that an overwhelming majority of the learners had a backlog as far as reading ability and comprehension were concerned. According to one of the therapists of Tina Cowley in Potchefstroom, the needs assessment has identified a common attribute that many experts assign to students who achieve well below average results. This refers to the ability to read with speed and a comprehension of what was read. When compared with classmates, this physiological condition, if addressed correctly, can be overcome. Fred Botha (Promosa Secondary School), Andrè Conradie (General Manager RDM), Dr Pelesa Mafisa (Promosa Secondary School Principal), Prof Leon Jackson (NWU Potchefstroom Business School) and Shonisani Mahumele (HR Manager RDM).

11 In addition to the results of the needs assessment, it became clear that, notwithstanding the enthusiasm by learners and teachers, the majority of the learners and/or their parents were financially not in a position to benefit from this programme at the normal rates of reading therapy unless they are subsidised in one way or the other. The problems identified at this institution are not uncommon or insurmountable. Statistically, it can boost learners with an average percentage increase in their scholastic performance ranging from 8% to as high as 40% after completing a comprehensive and continued reading therapy programme says du Plessis. After contacting one of the NWU PBS s MBA alumni, mr André Conradie, production manager at Rheinmetall, it seemed that this company saw this as an opportunity to make a major investment in the well-being of a community that, over the years, has proved to be an important provider of human capital. It was then decided by Rheinmetall, as well as the NWU Potchefstroom Business School, to support Promosa Secondary School with a project where all the matriculants of 2014 at this institution will receive intensive reading therapy by two therapists of the Tina Cowley Reading Centre Potchefstroom. It is common knowledge that many employees at Rheinmetall are from the Promosa area and the company hopes that this involvement would reinforce the message of a caring employer to their workers and community says mr André Conradie. Mr Conradie added to this by stating that the sponsorship of Rheinmetall to the Promosa Secondary School should be seen as an investment in the future, as they could be expected to source future employees from this area. By becoming involved with this community project, Rheinmetall will make a major contribution to the educational needs of Promosa and surrounding communities says Prof Leon Jackson of the Potchefstroom Business School.

12 Mej-aardekroon vir diploma-alumnus Ilze Saunders, n diploma-alumnus aan die NWU-PBS, is aangewys as Miss Earth South Africa Sy het dié titel tydens n glansgeleentheid wat deur Tsogo Sun by die Palazzo Hotel in Johannesburg gehou is, verower. Ilze is 23 jaar oud en het n BA-graad in Kommunikasie en het later haar Nagraadse Diploma in Bestuur aan die NWU-PBS voltooi. Sy studeer tans verder aan die Noordwes-Universiteit. Haar behoefte om mense te help en om n positiewe verskil te maak, was deel van haar motivering om deel te neem. My lewe is verryk deur die geleentheid om hoop en verandering in mense se lewens te bewerkstellig. Dit is n ervaring wat ek nooit sal vergeet nie. Dit het my ook in staat gestel om praktiese projekte op die been te bring wat mense se lewens positief beïnvloed. Nou gaan die werk voort en ek is opgewonde daaroor, sê Ilze. Miss Earth South Africa aankondiging saam Edna Malewa (Minister of Environmental Affairs) en Catherine Constandinidies (Miss Earth SA National Director). Sy sal Suid-Afrika by die internasionale Miss Earth-kompetisie, wat op 29 November in die Filippyne gehou word, verteenwoordig. Die 13 finaliste is betrokke by hul gemeenskappe, verskeie skole en ondersteun die organisasie se nasionale projekte wat onder meer op volhoubare energie fokus. Honderde inskrywings is ontvang en die organisasie het 60 jong vroue in die plaaslike rondte toegelaat. Die finaliste is in Augustus in Kaapstad aangewys. Saunders sal nou met die departemente van Omgewingsake en Toerisme saamwerk. Gedurende Erfenismaand sal sy n sterk boodskap rakende renosterstropery uitdra. Die nuwe Miss Earth South Africa sal ook fokus op volhoubare en ekotoerisme as onderwerp vir die internasionale kompetisie. Ilzé Saunders - Miss Earth South Africa.

13 Cancer issues enjoy attention The fourth successful cancer symposium was this year presented by CANSA, the NWU Potchefstroom Business School and Wilmedpark Oncology from Klerksdorp. This year s topic dealt with head- and neck cancers and a great deal of insightful information was offered by the different speakers. A dermatologist, plastic surgeon and oncologist highlighted the medical aspects, while information with regard to diet, nutritional as well as speech problems, including the emotional aspects and the radiation treatment were discussed by experts in the field. A very interesting aspect was touched on by a genetic consultation councillor, namely the possibility of the genetics of cancer genes. As with all cancers, early diagnosis and the early treatment thereof are important. In the treatment of head and neck cancers, a multiprofessional team is essential and therefore the symposium followed a holistic approach in order to discuss the inputs of all those involved. A word of gratitude is expressed towards everyone who was involved in making this year s symposium a great success as well as towards everyone who attended.

14 Só maak jy kliënte perfekte kliënte Hoe verseker jy dat jou bestaande kliënte die perfekte kliënte vir jou sakeonderneming is? Dit was een van die vrae wat Marcel Klaassen, uitvoerende hoof van Groei: Sake-bankdienste by FNB, bespreek het tydens die MBA-studieskool wat in Julie vanjaar by Quest in Vanderbijlpark aangebied is. Die dag is deur die NWU Potchefstroom Besigheidskool georganiseer, waar sakelui en studente meer oor hedendaagse saketendense te hore kon kom. Klaassen, wat reeds met verskeie sake-suksesse op sy kerfstok kan spog, het onder meer gesê dat dit tans noodsaakliker as ooit is dat sakelui hul kliënte moet ken en hul behoeftes moet verstaan. Dit behels nie net dat jy moet seker maak jy het al hul besonderhede, soos hul name, telefoonnommers en e-posadresse nie, maar doen ook n deeglike kliënteevaluasie: jy moet byvoorbeeld weet aan watter van jou produkte hulle n behoefte het en hoeveel geld hulle kan of wil bestee. * Prof Deon Nel van die Departement Bemarkingsbestuur aan die Universiteit van Pretoria het in sy praatjie oor die groei van BRICS-handelsmerke genoem dat ontluikendemarkhandelsmerke soos Petrobras, Sberbank, Airtel, Sinopec en MTN tans veral goed vaar. Een van die interessante waarnemings wat bespreek is, is die konsekwentheid van tegnologieindustriehandelsmerke wat beter presteer as globale industrieë soos kleinhandel, outomobiel en finansiële instellings. Marcel Klaassen (uitvoerende hoof van Groei: Sake-bank dienste by FNB-SA). Nie alle kliënte is altyd ideale kliënte nie. In sommige gevalle kan n kliënt wat nie veel by jou bestee nie, soveel persoonlike aandag eis dat dit uiteindelik onbillike druk op n onderneming en sy personeel plaas. Ondernemings moet dus nie net na n groei in kliëntetalle mik nie, maar eerder sorg dat die regte kliënte gelok word, is sy raad. Onder die hoëvlakteenwoordiges by die NWU Potchefstroom Besigheidskool se MBA-studie skool was (voor) prof Tommy du Plessis (direkteur van die NWU Potchefstroom Besigheidskool) en agter van links: prof Ronnie Lotriet (MBA-programbestuurder by die NWU-PBS), Gert-Jan Scholtz (gasspreker) en prof Deon Nel (gasspreker).

15 BRICS brands in global rankings, under the loop on Prestige Day 2014 Professor Deon Nel of the Department of Marketing Management at the University of Pretoria was invited to speak at the Prestige Day of the NWU Potchefstroom Business School s MBA Study School on Wednesday, 23 July He was asked to address the The growth of BRICS brands in global rankings. Prof Nel said several emerging market brands were persistently listed in global brand value rankings, showing a steady increase in overall US dollar over the past nine years. An analysis of USA-based brands within the technology sector, with brands such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and IBM, showed outstanding brand value growth. Prof Nel discussed how regional, emerging brands secured persistent positions among entrenched top global brands. Examples of strong emerging market brands are Petrobras, Sberbank, Airtel, Sinopec and MTN. Many others, such as Brahma and Skol in Brazil; MTS and Lukoil in Russia; Tata, Infosys and Wipro in India; and Haier, Huawei and Tencent in China are building a presence alongside global mega-brands. One of the interesting observations that was discussed is the consistency of technology industry brands outperforming global industries such as retailing, automotive, and financial institutions, and many others raise the question: What is the proportion of industry effects to firm effects in explaining global brand value growth performance across global regions? MBA-studente doen voorleggings vir hul maatskappy-projekte tydens die winterstudieskool in Vanderbijlpark

16 Wêreldklasnavorsing op familieondernemings Prof Stéphan van der Merwe het onlangs die 14th Annual International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA) World Family Business Conference bygewoon. Die kongres is die jaarlikse vakkongres op familieondernemingnavorsing en het vanaf 24 tot 26 Junie in Lappeenranta, Finland plaasgevind. Dit is die vierde jaar dat prof Stephan dié kongres bywoon en hy beskou dit as n ideale geleentheid om met wêreldklasnavorsers op die gebied van familie-ondernemings te netwerk. Stéphan het n referaat met die titel The influence of entrepreneurial orientation on the perceived future continuity of small and medium-sized family businesses gelewer. Volgens hom was dit weereens waardevol om die vakkongres by te woon. Stéphan het tydens die besoek aan Finland sy kamera in Lappeenranta verloor. n Finse vrou, Tuula, het dit opgetel en deur die foto s gekyk om die eienaar van die kamera te probeer opspoor. Van die foto s is tydens vanjaar se Comrades Marathon geneem, en sy het na n internet-soektog met die Comrades Marathon Assosiasie geskakel. Die Assosiasie het haar gehelp en hulle kon twee atlete wat in die klere van Bert s Bricks Atletiekklub deelgeneem het, identifiseer en met hulle kontak gemaak. Hulle het vir Tuula na sy vrou Lien verwys wie haar selfoonnommer vir hom gestuur het. Om n lang storie kort te maak, Stephan het sy kamera ongeskonde teruggevind. Dit is volgens hom n wonderlike storie en dit gee mens meer vertroue in die eerlikheid van mense. Prof Stéphan van der Merwe by die 14de jaarlikse IFERAkongres in Lappeenranta, Finland.

17 Innovasie en entrepreneurskap moet saam loop Johan Jordaan van die NWU-PBS het die geleentheid gehad om die Triple Helix (THRIP)-kongres in Tomsk in Siberië, Rusland van 11 tot 13 September by te woon. Doret Potgieter, wat haar MBA-skripsie onder studieleiding van Johan Jordaan voltooi het, se skripsie het gehandel oor die beperkinge in die bedryf van THRIP (Technology and Human Resources for Innovation Programme) in Suid- Afrika. Triple Helix is n wêreldwye model wat innovasie bevorder. Johan het n referaat uit die skripsie gaan aanbied, getiteld: Constraints experienced during Triple Helix implementation in SA. Die groot dryf agter die besoek van Johan was om met instansies oorsee kontak te maak waar die Triple Helix model glad werk, veral in ontwikkelende lande. Johan het tydens die kongres nuwe insigte gekry, soos om op plaaslike regeringsvlak in plaas van op nasionale regeringsvlak te fokus en ook om die gemeenskap betrokke te kry om tot n mate die rol van die regering in Triple Helix oor te neem. Lande soos Indonesië het sukses behaal in terme van gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid. Johan Jordaan saam met Prof Henry Etzkowitz van Stanford Universiteit, die vader van die Triple Helix model. Uitdagings in die bestuur van THRIP in SA Die grootste uitdaging wat THRIP in die gesig staar, is die verskille in stelsels tussen die rolspelers wat oponthoude tot gevolg het en sodoende projekte kniehalter. Die volgende kwessie is dat die aantal THRIP-aansoeke in SA sedert 1995 met 25% gekrimp het. Volgens Johan en Doret, wat werksaam is by die innovasie-steunkantoor, moet hierdie proses geoptimeer word om innovasie te stimuleer. Die volgende waarskynlike navorsingstap sal wees om die praktyke landwyd te vergelyk tussen die verskillende universiteite en daaruit n beste praktyk voor te stel en aan al die universiteite te verkoop.

18 Interessante leerpunte uit die kongres: Wanneer dit by innovasiebestuur kom, is dit in Sjina en Rusland baie meer regeringsgedrewe en meer gestruktureerd as in die ander ontwikkelende lande. Daar is n sterk verband tussen innovasie en entrepreneurskap. Indien die NWU waarlik sy merk wil maak, sal die fokus sterk op die verband tussen entrepreneurskap en innovasie moet val. Dit kan in die praktyk tipies vergestalt as entrepreneurskapsmodules as deel van alle kursusse oor alle fakulteite. Tweedens kan dit by Ekonomiese- en Bestuurswetenskappe impliseer dat daar n groter fokus op innovasiebestuur moet wees spesifiek ook by die Besigheidskool. Wat Johan opgeval het tydens die besoek aan Rusland: Daar is n groot dryf by universiteite wêreldwyd om meer entrepreneuries te word. Skolkovo is byvoorbeeld n universiteit, wat deur Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Moskou gestig is, wat spesifiek op hierdie aspek fokus. Hierdie universiteit is baie goed verteenwoordig tydens die kongres. Johan het n baie interessante gesprek met die stigter van Triple Helix, Henry Etzkowitz, gehad. Henry is afkomstig van Stanford Universiteit in Amerika. Die hoeveelheid belangstelling van mense wat graag gesamentlike navorsing met SA wil doen oor innovasie en entrepreneurskap was opvallend. Die internasionale mobiliteit van akademici het Johan opgeval. Byna n kwart van die deelnemers by die kongres is betrokke by universiteite wat nie van hul oorspronklike land van herkoms is nie. Rusland is n skoon land met dissipline en daar is n opvallende wetsgehoorsaamheid. Die publieke vervoerstelsel is baie goed ontwikkel en werk ook op presiese tydskedules. Daar is min oorgewig mense in Rusland, waarskynlik omdat die Russiese bevolking baie fiks en aktief is en baie stap (en dit teen n bekwame spoed!). Die Tomsk State University (gestig in 1878) se hoofgebou, waar n groot deel van die konferensie aangebied is. Ivan Pavlov (Nobelpryswenner met die hond) het onder andere hier klasgegee.

19 Synergy needed to grow community garden / Small steps to feed a community Our group is called Sinergie (in English Synergy), which refers to the fact that individuals working together achieve more than they would on their own. Our group members are Theo Greyling (group leader), Alta Fourie, DM de Villiers, Anjonet Jordaan and Jan Erasmus. Working together as a team when the individual members are spread across three provinces (Gauteng, Northwest and Free State) is no easy task. Group assignments such as Operational Management s community project-based assignment posed a particular challenge to a group such as ours. Luckily we have very dedicated group members that assist each other from afar. One of our group members did the ground work with Thusanang for us and was instrumental in getting all the information needed for this project, as well as played a pivotal role in helping Thusanang by providing them the tools and business knowledge. At the outset the assignment seemed simple and perhaps easier than the usual big group assignment for other modules: find a community project with a commercial side that your group can help and provide with advice to better its operations. The Thusanang community project is situated behind the larger Thusong Service Centre near Vanderbijlpark, which is a one-stop service centre providing information and services to communities. The aim of the Thusanang project is to first of all provide a source of food (vegetables) for the permanent community project members, and then whatever is left is sold to the surrounding community. Some of the community members who work in Thusanang s vegetable gardens and kitchen.

20 The nature of the community project forced our group to really consider ideas that would fit the situation. Though far more sophisticated suggestions could have been made, we soon realised that they would be doomed to failure unless we work with the people at the level and the ability they are at. The production enterprise is a vegetable and fruit producing operation. They have two greenhouse tunnels, two self-constructed shade net tunnels, peach and apricot trees, and about five to six large vegetable beds open to the elements. The two greenhouse tunnels are equipped with a drip irrigation system to water the plants; water is supplied to these tunnels via a swimming pool pump, pumping water from a litre water tank. The other vegetable garden beds and shade netted tunnels get their water supply from a borehole on the premises and are watered by using hosepipes and water buckets. The water tank is also supplied with water from the borehole. Both male and female members work the land and soil, while some female members arrange and package some of the fruit and vegetables to sell, they have also started processing some of the produce into jams and pickled dishes to prolong its useful life and sell in winter when the garden is quite unproductive. Though hard lessons were learned along the way by the members of Sinergie about the feasibility of ideas in practice, great lessons were learned that already impacts on the way we function in our various places of work at present. We recognise that only small changes have as yet come from our inputs at Thusanang and that some of these inputs will take some time before they show results that will benefit the project and its people. We believe and hope that in 2015 another MBA group will choose Thusanang as their community project to help and further assist them the human aspect makes changes often slow and requires a patient and on-going involvement from those who choose to help.