UP Campus Tours (UPCT) will soon be sporting newly branded gear when conducting their professional tours of the Hatfield Campus, thanks to a sponsorship by Enterprises University of Pretoria (Enterprises UP). Now in its 13th year of operation, UPCT is an initiative led by Prof Karen Harris and Ms Charlene Herselman, with the daily operational activities run by students in the Heritage and Cultural Tourism honours programme, as a vital practical component of their degree.

UPCT presents tours to, among others, international visitors, visiting academics, prospective students and their parents, as well as University staff and students. UPCT is also responsible for hosting tours on UP Open Day and during the orientation programme for first-year students.

'We are very grateful to Enterprises UP for their ongoing support. Without them, this entity would not be able to function,' says Prof Harris. 'From the outset, Enterprises UP CEO Deon Herbst recognised the entrepreneurial dimension of UPCT and what it means to the students enrolled for the honours degree, the University community, as well as the broader public. The whole concept and ideal of creating ambassadors of tourism has come a long way, and we have successfully created ambassadors for the University too.'

UPCT provides an opportunity for the students to gain practical experience and acquire various workplace skills including conducting research (in the University Archives), marketing, finances, management and guiding tours. This aligns these postgraduates with UP's goal of producing students that are workplace-ready.

'It is an honour to be associated with entrepreneurship activities,' says Mr Herbst. 'This is a great opportunity to teach young people how a business is operated.'

The students are passionate and enthusiastic about the tours they present, providing visitors with an experience that is both informative and entertaining. This year, the UPCT group can present tours in English, Sesotho, Afrikaans and Shona.

For more information on UP Campus Tours, or to book a tour, email [email protected], visit http://www.up.ac.za/en/historical-heritage-studies/article/22916/campus-tours or phone 012 420 5155.

For more information about the Ready for Work Programme, visit www.enterprises.up.ac.za/ready4work.