– by Noluthando Makhaza
UKZN Extended Learning recently facilitated the second and last module of the Advanced Trade, Investment Promotion and Economic Development Programme (TIPED). This two part programme was a succession of the lengthy core TIPED programme which ran for 3 months in block sessions, covering one module per month. During the Advanced programme, delegates were engaged and supported by academic practitioners, experts and thought leaders, who possess both local and international experience.
Our esteemed team of facilitators included Kishan Singh (Managing Director: GIB Solutions), Richard Cookson (Director: Cape International), Ebrahim Patel (Former President: Minara Chamber of Commerce) and Simon Tankard (CEO: UKZN Extended Learning). Modules covered included the following themes: Investor Supply Chain, Quality Assurance and Risk Management; A Practical Perspective on International Trade and Investment; An Investor Perspective – International and Local Trade and Investment; Strategic Marketing Communication; and Investor Relations.
The sessions were quite interactive as delegates participated in feasible, real time case studies and business examples which were reviewed and analysed by actual investors and stakeholders in order to assess the value, risk and long term benefits of investment initiatives. Classroom case studies included the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (Gulf of Mexico) as well as that of the Thomas Cook (Global Travel Group). These classroom interactions were strategically included as part of the assessment component, together with other team-based and individual assignments – focusing on the strategic priorities, opportunities and challenges of sponsoring organisations.
As we promote continuing education, “we now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn” ~ Peter Drucker.
For more information on our next intake for the TIPED core and advanced programmes, please contact:
Percy Sishi
T: +27 31 260 1853
