Transport Economics and Logistics Management on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng honoured the BCom Transport Economics and Logistics Management graduates at a gala dinner on 24 October 2017 at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel and Resort.

As part of honouring their newly capped graduates, Ms Karen Visser, the programme manager,  also took the opportunity to express the university’s gratitude toward industry partners that have made it possible, through bursaries and internships, for the programme to be rated among one of the best in the country.

“It is truly a blessing to have partnerships with private and government sectors that offer our students the opportunity to put the skills they would have learnt throughout their years of studying into practice,” says Karen. “These partnerships make it possible for graduates to implement solutions that ultimately contribute positively to the growth of the transport and logistics industry and the economy of the country.”

Ms Manana, the acting chief operations officer of the national Department of Transport, delivered the keynote address, and spoke about the importance of industry partnerships, and creating an environment for skilled graduates to be absorbed into the labour market and contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.

“The month of October, dubbed Transport Month, is a time when the department goes all out to ensure that ethical and safe practices in the transport sector are followed, including providing opportunities to graduates to join the sector,” said Ms Manana. “It is with great pride that I can share that the department has provided employment more than 600 graduates from the NWU during this 14 year-partnership. This is a number we want to grow through the continuation of our partnership with the university.”

In her closing remarks, Prof Sonia Swanepoel, the executive dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, expressed her best wishes to the graduates, and urged them to continue to hold the university’s name high everywhere they go, as this will create opportunities for others who are to follow.

Some of the attendees of the Transport and Logistics gala dinner.