Page 3 - DUT Conduit Sept 2023

BRICS DELEGATES EXPLORE
CUTTING-EDGE INNOVATIONS
AT THE FACULTY OF ACCOUNTING
AND INFORMATICS
Siphokazi Dlamini
Pictured: BRICS delegates with Professor Oludayo O Olugbara and Dr Liu Zhenying.
The Faculty of Accounting and Informatics opens its doors at Ritson Campus to a distinguished group of delegates from the BRICS nations, after the BRICS Summit. The event marked a significant step towards fostering international collaboration and advancing technological and skills development among the member countries.
In attendance was Prof Oludayo O Olugbara; Executive Dean, Prof Matthys Swanepoel; Deputy Dean, Dr Liu Zhenying; Chairman of China section of BRICS Business Council Skills Development Working Group, President of BRICS Academy of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (Xiamen), President of International Alliance of Skills Development, Chairman of Beijing ARC Xinxing Science and Technology, Chen Ji; Chief Executive Officer of Chongqing Wise Insight Big Data Technology Co. Ltd, He Yong; Executive Dean of Beijing Education Technology Institute of Enterprise-College-Research (ECR), eThekwini Municipality representatives, GoDigital SA representatives and DUT Faculty of Accounting and Informatics EXCO members.
The proceedings of the event kicked off with a warm welcome from Prof Olugbara, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics. Prof Olugbara extended his gratitude to distinguished guests for their presence and underscored the institution’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships that transcend borders. After the official welcome, the delegates were treated to an insightful tour of the faculty’s world-class laboratories, where they had the opportunity to witness cutting-edge innovations first hand.
“I am both thrilled and honoured to have such esteemed guests visit us.We extend a warm and open-hearted welcome, and we are eagerly anticipating the outcomes of this meeting, confident that it will lead to something truly remarkable,” he said.
Prof Olugbara then took the stage to present the faculty’s vision, highlighting its dedication to technological advancements and skills development. He delved into the institution’s mission of producing graduates equipped with the skills necessary to excel in the evolving landscape of accounting and informatics.
South Africa welcomes the BRICS delegates. Picture Credit:Twitter
Dr Zhenying; Chairman of the China section of the BRICS Business Council Skills Development working group and President of the BRICS Academy of Skills Development and Technology Innovation (Xiamen), shared insights on the importance of skills for emerging and future job markets. He emphasized the role of leveraging technology to enhance skills development and competitiveness. Dr Liu further shed light on the significance of skills training bases in empowering individual and collective competitiveness. He concluded his presentation by expressing his enthusiasm for potential collaborations with the faculty.
“I am eager to engage in collaborations with the faculty and extend my gratitude for the heartfelt welcome and the insightful tour of the laboratories,” he said.
The event was further enriched by Sandile Mahlaba from GoDigital SA, who extended his gratitude to Prof Olugbara for his hospitality and for facilitating the meeting. Mahlaba expressed his eagerness to explore potential collaborative opportunities between the BRICS delegates and the faculty. He assured the delegates of the institution’s enthusiasm for forging partnerships that lead to mutual growth and progress.
A gracious note of thanks was offered by Prof Swaneopel, the deputy dean of the faculty, who acknowledged the delegates and all participants for their valuable contributions to the event. Prof Swaneopel’s words encapsulated the sentiment of unity and shared purpose that characterised the day’s proceedings.
The visit of the BRICS delegates to the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of international collaboration and skills development.The presentations and discussions centred around leveraging technology, building competitiveness, and fostering partnerships, and demonstrated the commitment of both the faculty and the delegates to advancing their respective nations’ positions in the global landscape of education, technology, and skills development.As the world continues to evolve, such cross-border collaborations will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for all.
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