From left, Dr Izelque Botha, Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at UL; Olga Mulaudzi, Director at THERO Services; Prof Leseilane Mampuru, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at UL; and Emily Maseko of THERO Services during the launch of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UL and THERO Services, aimed at enhancing students’ skills and workplace readiness.
Three-year deal gives students access to work experience, training, mentorship and career opportunities
By Reuben Maake – reuben.maake@ul.ac.za
University of Limpopo (UL) students are set to gain valuable workplace experience through a three-year partnership between the university and THERO Services, an environmental, occupational health and safety, infrastructure compliance, and social sustainability consulting firm
The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will provide students and graduates in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at UL, with opportunities for work-integrated learning, workplace exposure, mentorship, professional training, workshops and masterclasses.
Dr Izelque Botha, Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at UL, said the partnership comes at a time when universities are seeking stronger links with industry to ensure graduates are better prepared for the demands of the workplace.
“Universities need meaningful engagement with industry to ensure that our graduates are better prepared for the demands of the workplace,” Botha said.
Prof Leseilane Mampuru, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at UL, said the partnership would give students practical experience and strengthen the link between teaching and the workplace.
“It will ensure that teaching and learning in geography and environmental studies is bridged through innovative approaches,” Prof Mampuru said.
THERO Services is a black woman-owned South African consulting firm making strides in the field of infrastructure planning and implementation.
Olga Mulaudzi, Director of THERO Services, said the partnership would bring academic knowledge and industry experience together.
“The university environment develops knowledge, research, academic excellence, critical thinking and specialist capability. Industry brings practical project experience, market knowledge, implementation insight, professional standards and exposure to real operating environments,” she said.
The partnership has already moved beyond the signing ceremony, with THERO Services engaging students on available workplace opportunities. Students were also given advice on applications, interview techniques, social skills and career opportunities.
“THERO Services challenges you to strive to be above average in terms of work output; we are recruiting top students because we operate in a competitive industry and we cannot compromise the standards,” Mulaudzi told the students.
The partnership will also create opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional development and community engagement.
The partnership comes at a time when universities are seeking stronger links with industry to ensure graduates are better prepared for the demands of the workplace.