Students return from their workplaces
As the academic year progresses, students in the Advanced Certificate in Nature Conservation: Transfrontier Conservation Management (NQF Level 6) have returned from their first semester break and Phase 1 of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). They commenced their second-semester courses on 18 August 2024, starting with the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) module, which was facilitated by Ms Elna de Beer and concluded on 30 August 2024.
They then took the Biodiversity Management module from 2 to 13 September 2024, facilitated by Dr. Thabang Teffo. They are now continuing with second-semester modules, including Financial Management, Environmental Development Planning, and Resource Economics, with their test for the latter scheduled for 23 October 2024. The second-semester examinations will begin the week of 28 October 2024 and conclude on 11 November 2024.
There will be a supplementary examination week from 18 to 22 November 2024 for students who need to rewrite any failed modules. Both the NQF Level 5 and NQF Level 6 students will graduate on 28 November 2024, with the day of departure set for 29 November 2024, marking the end of their 2024 academic programme.
Youth Access Bridging Course
The Skills Development for Conservation Department has finally welcomed 16 vibrant young individuals who were successful in their selection assessment. The youth who made it come from various provinces, including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo. Their excitement on arrival at the College was palpable as they embark on a new journey set to transform their lives personally and academically.
In the first week of July the students underwent an induction to familiarise themselves with the College, its training departments and its rules and regulations, ensuring that they all adhere to the College’s guidelines. They were then introduced to their curriculum for the Bridging Course, which will last for six months.
The students also had the opportunity to meet and interact with one of their donors, Metamorphosis Foundation, who was out on a visit from the UK. The positive impact of donor support and interaction with the students should not be overlooked. They gained so much from the experience, and we express our sincere thanks to our Youth Access Bridging Course donors, including Metamorphosis Foundation, Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust, Italtile and Ceramic Foundation and Friends of African Wildlife, for their warm hearts and for enabling these opportunities for the youth.
The students started with Environmental Education, Leadership, and Responsible Resource Use modules in the first three weeks of their learning. They have shown interest and willingness to learn, with most modules being delivered both theoretically and practically, making them more engaging and understandable. They are currently busy with Eco-Tourism and Biodiversity, one of the Eco-Ranger modules. The Eco-Ranger modules include Catchment Areas and Resource Management, Biodiversity Management, Nature Conservation Law Enforcement, Wildlife Conservation, Self-Protection and Survival Measures, as well as Ecological Principles and Ecosystem Resilience.
In preparation for their future as environmental leaders, the students will depart on the 19 November for their Work-Integrated Learning. This experience will help them gain a practical understanding of everything they have learned theoretically in class. On 13 December, they will complete their Work Integrated Learning and be ready to return and reunite with their families, especially those coming from far away, as they have been unable to visit their families on weekends when they are off.
I want to thank you for your performance in empowering and training young people to enter the world of employment.
widlife college was created to contribute to the education and conservation of biodiversity and enable a better environment. to help communities be a right partner in the transformation of their natural resources in order to manage them rationally, and give young people opportunities to enter the world of employment