Through their novel ideas and scientific breakthroughs, great innovators have propelled humanity forward. From the discovery of penicillin to the development of chemotherapy, we see how humanity’s greatest achievements have often occurred during times when life seemed most grim. Floods, wars, plagues and diseases have prompted cultural and medical inflection points that led to revolutionary discoveries strengthening humanity for generations. The challenges we face today—including access to healthcare, education and economic disparities, as well as cultural, social and governmental obstacles—provide us with another opportunity to push humanity forward. Current realities suggest that there is reason for hope. Humankind has always found a way to move forward despite challenges, and the current pandemic and social issues will continue this pattern. The world in which we were born no longer exists, and the world needs industry-specific thought leadership and workforce skills to thrive. Educational institutions are under pressure to adapt the curriculum…
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Self-confidence. It helps people banish negativity and feel good about their lives and abilities. Those who are self-confident tend to try new things more often, bounce back from disappointment faster, and overcome obstacles more easily. As a result, they are more successful at handling stress, relating to others, and achieving their goals. From physical fitness and mental health to work and finances, to social interactions and education, self-confidence affects every aspect of life. The first steps to developing self-confidence take place in childhood, but it is possible to develop it on your own at any age. Finishing your degree is the perfect example of how you can achieve this. Adults can develop their self-confidence and social capital through tertiary education, as well as embrace their identity as learners. The following advice, activities, and strategies will help you overcome self-defeating patterns and gain newfound self-confidence. These are the kinds of traits…
The Da Vinci Institute’s Master’s alumnus Vigenthren Pandaram has dedicated his life and career to engineering, a field in which he has an abiding passion. When tracing the start of his career trajectory in the field of engineering, Vigenthren Pandaram reminisces that working life for him began after graduating with a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at ML Sultan Technikon (now called Durban University of Technology) in 1990. Following which, Vigenthren completed an apprenticeship in 1991. It was between 1991 and 1996 that “I worked in the gold mining industry as an underground fitter and later moved to the manufacturing industry as a fitter and turner”, Vigenthren says. With an engineering background and when a timely chance to make use for it came to pass, the year 1996 was a period in which Vigenthren decided to shift career gears and joined Eskom, where he was offered an opportunity to be…
Are Business Schools Addressing Social Challenges of the 21st Century? In 2015, all United Nations Member States signed onto the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is a blueprint for 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) that call on all countries, developed and developing, to work together in a global partnership. The United Nations (https://sdgs.un.org/goals) describes how they seek to realise the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality. The SDGs are integrated and indivisible and attempt to balance three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social, and environmental). It also recognises that ending poverty, and other similar deprivations, to be imperative in devising strategies to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur socio-economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. To a considerable extent, the state of the global position is encapsulated in the descriptions of the development goals. People…
Reflections by Raymond Toga (DaVinci’s Programme Coordinator and Doctoral Candidate) on the reasons why change efforts fail All organisations, no matter how well established or stable they may be, are subject to change. According to W. Edwards Deming, one must change in order not to be changed by the world around him. Organisational leaders must be aware of the complex environment in which their organisations operate and should pay close attention to developments both within their organisation and in the broader context. Organisational leaders must also be knowledgeable about how to implement the changes their employees need in order for the business to survive. Unfortunately, making effective organisational changes is difficult (Meaney & Pung, 2008). Organisational change can be the result of an organisation’s growth, decline, or transformation (Aishu 2020). While one might assume that organisations are enduring structures in a changing society, the truth is that organisations themselves…
Strategies to deal with fear of innovation – by Dr Dzingai Katsamba, Dean: Innovation and Technology In the previous article (Overcoming the fear factor as a human barrier to innovation), different types of fears that are detrimental to the success of innovation were unpacked. Today, we investigate strategies to deal with fear of innovation that tranquilises most people to such an extent that none of their ideas see the next sunrise. Leaders know that they need to innovate. When leaders assess technology, the differences in generations, and growing market demands, they often learn that their association must change, but how do they develop this rare character of being more risk tolerant and less afraid of failure? | The strategies below cement the solidity of understanding ways to conquer this fear of innovation failure. Determine a Safety Zone Where exactly are leaders willing to take risks? Is there an…
Recently, DaVinci had a catch-up with one of our gifted students Khabazela Mkize, who is currently completing the Higher Certificate in Management of Technology and Innovation, with elective modules in New Venture Creation (NVC) here at The Institute. Khabazela is a 26-year-old, hailing from Pollak Park in Springs and he shares his story… | Khabazela reflects on his journey | Tell us about yourself and a bit about your background. My name is Khabazela Mpumelelo Mkize. I am a 26-year-old student and a diligent worker, trying to create a better future for myself and my family. I currently reside with my father at Pollak Park in Springs. We have been living together since I was 4-years old when my mother passed away after a horrific road accident. This difficult experience landed my dad and I in very tough financial situations. Consequently, there has been a lot of opportunities that…
Meet Perciwell Van Staden, one of our students currently completing a Higher Certificate in Management of Technology and Innovation with electives in New Venture Creation | We sat down with Perciwell and engaged him about his journey and gained some insights about his hopes for the future. Here is what he had to say… | Tell us about yourself and your background. My name is Perciwell Van Staden, I am 29 years old and currently live in Actonville, Benoni. I come from the humblest of beginnings, and from a big family of about 6 siblings, to be exact. Having said that, and as life is for most of us, assisting financially at home was more important than attaining a tertiary education. So, I have been doing odd jobs since matriculating. This New Venture Creation (NVC) programme sponsored by Gauteng City Regional Academy (GCRA) has been my first real shot at…
DaVinci’s 2021 Master’s alumnus Chantal Balla’s remarkability is magnetic. She is a natural problem solver, with a keen interest for making substantial improvements where she co-creates. “My late parents whom I have dedicated my study to, your blood runs through my veins and your memory will always be alive in my heart forever.” | This is our recent Q&A engagement with Chantal, to find out more about her journey at DaVinci | Please give us a brief overview of your career to date. My short-term insurance career spans over 19 years and encompasses experience in personal, commercial, corporate and the public sector spheres. Being promoted to a management position in 2005 has exposed me to all facets of business operations. Furthermore, I am a qualified Accounting and Business Management teacher by profession, coupled with an associate degree qualification in the short-term insurance industry. I have a…
Refilwe Moreetsi, who is one of our BCom graduates from the class of 2021, is a Senior First Officer at South African Airways (SAA). A fascinating woman, Refilwe is such an inspiration, and she exudes remarkability about her. | In this recent catch-up, Refilwe shares her love of taking to the orbit and how this aviation passion was realised | It is a journey of a young woman, whose passion for flying began at the tender age of seven, when she got the opportunity to take her first commercial flight to Durban, with her parents. Refilwe Moreetsi explains that she “got the opportunity to visit the flightdeck after landing. It was a memorable experience, and I knew then that I wanted to become a pilot.” Even in explaining this story, Refilwe’s passion can be felt, as she describes how intriguing her first flight was because it was something unique,…