JuniorTukkie Enrichment Camp equips students with important skills

Posted on April 25, 2016

The Junior Tukkie (JT) Student Society of the University of Pretoria (UP) hosted its annual Enrichment Camp for first- to final-year students from 8 to 10 April 2016. As the name suggests, the main purpose of the Camp is to equip participants with the skills they need to make a success of their studies at UP. 

A bus filled with students in high spirits departed from UP's Hatfield Campus for Tieger Lodge on Friday, 8 April 2016. After settling in their lodgings for the weekend, the students attended the welcoming address by Ms Selena Davids, project coordinator of the Enrichment Camp, and then met the Roarrr team who facilitated activities during the weekend. Mr Ferdie Heunis, founder of Roarrr, gave a fascinating presentation titled 'I am a brand', which encouraged students to consider themselves as brands and apply marketing and other strategies used by successful brands.

After breakfast the next day, participants were introduced to the JT Student Society Executive Council and the portfolios of the various sub-committees. JT Student Society members were then given the opportunity to join one of the Society's sub-committees. The sub-committees were tasked with compiling a vision and mission statement, as well as a list of projects and/or proposed plans for the year, which were presented on Sunday.

In the second session on Saturday, Ms Courtney Gehle of the UP Greenline project, kicked off her presentation with a powerful video highlighting the plight of the environment. Ms Gehle, a current Tuks student, started the UP Greenline project, which focuses on preserving the environment. Members debated the need to protect the environment – with sometimes humorous results.

Mr Carl Gostner from LeadSA's interactive session on leadership was definitely the most inspirational of all. Highlights included words of encouragement for a student who had told of his desire to lead despite his limited proficiency in English. The session ended with each student stating what he or she was going to do in the week to come to make a difference.

Ms Nancy Mashele then took to the stage to emphasise the importance of the JT Ambassadors Programme after which leaders of the Programme shared their inspiring stories with the audience.

Ms Jacqui Pietersen of Tuks Alumni Relations explained to students that they started building relationships with students from their first year on campus to ensure each student knows exactly what it takes to be an alumnus or alumna once they have completed their students and become part of the Young Alumni and Student Committee (YASCOM).

Sunday started with fun and games lead by Siya and Tefo, affectionately known as 'Stevovo', members of Roarrr. Enactus UP's President Tebogo Mphelo and Deputy President Sinawu Madasa then presented their organisation to a very receptive crowd. Sunday's activities drew to a close with presentations by JT Student Society sub-committees on their vision and mission statements and plans for the year ahead.

The 2016 JT Enrichment Camp can only be described as a resounding success. Participants left the Camp brimming with energy and inspiration for the year ahead. 

 

- Author Junior Tukkie

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