Creativity and innovation took centre stage in the classroom as first-year Human Resource Management students at the North-West University (NWU) brought the employee selection process to life through an interactive demonstration using South African National Defence Force (SANDF) toy figures.
The practical learning activity, facilitated by Kholiswa Mogoeng from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, challenged students to move beyond traditional presentations by demonstrating the different stages of employee selection in an engaging and memorable way. The initiative reflects the commitment of the university to innovative teaching and learning that equips students with practical skills while reinforcing theoretical concepts.
Using the SANDF toy figures as visual teaching aids, students illustrated the journey of job applicants from the initial screening stage through to the final appointment. The demonstration enabled classmates to observe how each recruitment stage contributes to selecting the most suitable candidate.
Thapelo Makwela demonstrated the initial screening and interview stages. He explained how recruiters evaluate applications against the minimum job requirements before inviting shortlisted candidates to interviews.
Siya continued the presentation by illustrating how candidates who successfully complete the interview process proceed to the medical examination stage, where their physical and medical fitness is assessed as part of the overall recruitment process.
Khutsahalo Keitsing demonstrated the link between pre-employment testing and medical examination, highlighting the importance of assessing candidates' competencies, abilities and potential before they advance to the next phase of selection.
The final stage was presented by Maluleke Akani, who demonstrated how organisations integrate the outcomes of interviews, assessments and medical evaluations before making a final appointment. The presentation emphasised that recruitment decisions should be objective, structured and based on clearly defined selection criteria.
Throughout the demonstration, the SANDF toy figures represented candidates progressing through each stage of the recruitment journey. The visual approach transformed a complex theoretical topic into an interactive learning experience that encouraged active participation and deeper understanding.
Kholiswa said the activity was designed to help students appreciate the practical application of human resource management principles while fostering creativity and collaboration in the classroom.
"Learning becomes more meaningful when students are actively involved in the process. By using creative teaching methods, students can visualise concepts, engage critically with the content and better understand how recruitment and selection processes function in real organisational settings," she said.
The student presenters described the experience as both enjoyable and educational.
"This presentation has birthed theoretical monsters. We will never forget the selection process. We are grateful to the lecturer team for giving us the opportunity to help others understand this important human resource management concept," they said.
Kholiswa noted that discussions on recruitment and appointment processes in South Africa have highlighted the importance of transparency, fairness and accountability in organisational selection. She explained that the exercise was designed to reinforce these principles while demonstrating how structured recruitment practices contribute to effective decision-making.
The activity forms part of the ongoing efforts of the faculty to promote active learning and innovative teaching methodologies that bridge the gap between theory and practice. By encouraging students to apply human resource management principles creatively, the exercise prepares them for the realities of professional practice and showcases how meaningful learning can take place through collaboration, innovation and experiential learning.
Through such initiatives, the NWU continues to foster an engaging learning environment that empowers students with the knowledge, critical thinking skills and practical competencies required to thrive in an ever-evolving workplace.
