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Putting it into practice
Our Work Integrated Learning ( WIL ) programme gives students the opportunity to step out of the lecture room and gain insight into the real dynamics of their chosen field of study . There are two components to WIL : a simulated activity and working in industry . Students are guided and supported through this process by their WIL lecturer . It is common for students who have gone out into industry on WIL to be offered a permanent position with these same companies once their studies are complete . Such was the case with students Nicole du Preez and Kebalepile Mothoagae . Du Preez , an International College of Hotel Management ( ICHM ) graduate from our Westville Campus , gained work experience at the prestigious Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga and was subsequently offered a job as a sous chef . Mothoagae , a Diploma in Journalism graduate from our Sandton Campus , was offered a position at the Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers .
Up to speed and digitally fluent
Our campuses have wireless internet hotspots to enable connectivity inside and outside the classroom for a truly blended learning experience . Students are encouraged to BYOT ( Bring Your Own Technology ) to support this new mode of connected learning .
New digital literacies and fluencies are a focus of development for both students and lecturers as new digital learning media and Web 2.0 applications are incorporated into the learning design . Lecturers will draw on appropriate technologies in class to support a particular learning activity and will engage with students in new online spaces such as Blackboard ( VCLearn ), blogs and backchannel tools . This ensures that every student has a voice in the learning community and the opportunity to collaborate , create and critically reflect in order to demonstrate learning .
While new cloud based learning media are explored in a variety of ways , we also provide each student with access to a range of other supportive platforms such as our online Career Centre , BLUEprint ( a framework for student support and success ), Ebrary and Ebscohost online research resources and eBooks . You will also have access to the closed Varsity College Student Portal on our integrated academic management system where you can access timetables , programme information , financial statements and online discussion forums with your lecturers .
We ensure that students graduate , not only with a qualification , but with an approach towards the world of work and knowledge that will set them firmly on the path of becoming self disciplined , independent thinkers .