It’s time once again for the University of Pretoria Campus Tours (UPCT)! The annual initiative involves a group of new graduates taking up the challenge of running and managing an income-generating business by offering tours of Hatfield Campus. 

UPCT, which is in its 16th year, has become an excellent business simulation exercise for students in the Heritage and Cultural Tourism honours programme in the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies. It was initiated 16 years ago by head of the department Professor Karen Harris, and continues to be supported by Deon Herbst CEO of Enterprises UP, which offers training programmes and short courses.

“Mr Herbst supported the project from its humble beginnings,” said Professor Harris at a small handover ceremony where this year’s 14 UPCT students accepted their newly branded golf T-shirts, courtesy of Enterprises UP. “We are happy to have the opportunity to continue to run this programme, year on year. It is a great opportunity for us to continue to give great practical experience to our students, combining their knowledge base and research skills in a formative manner.”

While the venture forms a large practical component of the students’ programme, it also promotes UP to prospective students, visiting academics, exchange students, clients from Enterprises and a range of international delegates.

“As your leaders, we are responsible for nurturing your skills and ensuring that you develop within an environment that promotes your success,” said Deon Herbst to the students. “You are even more fortunate to be a part of a programme steered by a leader who fought for and believes in it.”  

The new T-shirts that the UPCT students received have been branded to commemorate the Faculty of Humanities centenary year. In addition, the group will be hosting a “Walk back in Time” to celebrate Humanities 100, and will be developing an expansion pack for the interactive UP campus board game that challenges players on their knowledge of the history and heritage of the university. The original game was developed in 2011, and has been enjoyed by many across campuses and residences. It is a remarkable achievement by the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies and the University of Pretoria Archives, and in fact won the national MACE Excellence Award for Outstanding Performance among Practitioners in Higher and Further Education.

Click here for more information on UP Campus Tours or to book a tour.