Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Spirit Within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

In a bid to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among its students, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) recently organised an engaging workshop for its academics which saw them acquiring valuable knowledge and skills that were intended to be transferred to the FHSS student populace.

The event kicked off with an insightful address by Professor Zanele Gladness Buthelezi who shone the light on the challenges posed by the low employment rate, while also stating the importance of entrepreneurship in our society.

“In the face of low employment rate, entrepreneurship stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for our youth. Let us empower ourselves with the tools of entrepreneurship to create our own paths to success and fulfilment,” stated Prof Buthelezi.

The workshop saw a compelling presentation being delivered by Dr Ayansolo Ayandibu. He delved into various essential elements of entrepreneurship, including the significance of programmes like Social Entrepreneurship Week (SEW), Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), and Entrepreneurial Action Us (Enactus). He also mentioned that SEW, EDHE and Enactus were not just programmes, but represented pathways to a future where innovation and creativity could thrive.

“Entrepreneurship is not just about starting businesses; it’s about shaping a mindset that fuels positive change,” Dr Ayandibu stressed.

Further enriching the workshop experience, Dr David Ntshangase and Dr Samukelisiwe Nkwanyana from the UNIZULU Tourism and Recreation Department shared their expertise on infusing entrepreneurial practices into their respective fields. Their enlightening discussion highlighted real-world applications of entrepreneurship, emphasising its importance beyond traditional business settings.

“Infusing entrepreneurship into academia isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity for nurturing well-rounded, forward-thinking individuals. By integrating entrepreneurial principles into education, we pave the way for a generation of change-makers and visionaries,” highlighted Prof Nkwanyana.

As the event drew to a close, participants were encouraged to take the lessons learnt and apply them in their academic and professional journeys.

– Nomvelo Xulu

Caption

Dr Ayansola Ayandibu gave a compelling presentation during the recent FHSS entrepreneurship workshop.

Pictures by Samkele Sokhela