The Department of Human Resource Management welcomed its MCom Industrial and Organisational Psychology 2018 group at a weekend team building session held at Matlapeng, a farm located in a tranquil valley approximately 90km from Pretoria.
UP’s Master’s Degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology programme each year admits diverse students from all walks of life. The Department of Human Resource Management believes that it is important to harness this diversity at the onset of the year to benefit the new group.
The MCom IOP Class of 2018 with Mr André Potgieter (Psych Extreme facilitator, standing far left), Prof Deon Meiring (standing second from left) and Dr Herbert Kanengoni (standing far right)
This marks the eighth time the team building camp is conducted and this year the new group was accompanied by three staff members, namely Prof Deon Meiring (Programme Manager: Internship), Dr Herbert Kanengoni (Programme Manager: Magister in Industrial and Organisational Psychology) and Mr Sakkie van Greunen (lecturer).
The team building camp focused on activities allowing the students to meet possible partners, as well as informal communication and strengthening common interests before starting with classes.
With the help of consultants from Psych Extreme, headed by Mr André Potgieter (an experienced psychologist and expert in team building), the students were taken through sessions covering foundational principles of group effectiveness, such as personal responsibility in teams, teamwork, openness of communication and maintaining good, healthy and effective work relationships. Several activities filled the weekend, including ice breakers and energisers, questions and answers, discussions and debriefs, and outdoor team activities.
The students learnt some important lessons during the camp. They reflected afterwards that communication and an understanding of the big picture are important for a team to be relevant, and that it is important for the person being led to remain close to the leader/mentor in order to succeed. They further came to the insights that caring is very important, as each person is vulnerable to various weakness, and that one has to be willing to be led and to accept help.
A student Shelldonette Carolus conquers the fear of still waters following encouragement from other students
The MCom IOP Class of 2018 with Mr André Potgieter (Psych Extreme facilitator, standing far left), Prof Deon Meiring (standing second from left) and Dr Herbert Kanengoni (standing far right)
A student Shelldonette Carolus conquers the fear of still waters following encouragement from other students
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