Vega Octant 2017 Octant_2017_Semester_2_finalc | Page 20

approaches all problems with ‘whole-brain thinking’ as Alumnus Profile: opposed to specialising in only one discipline. Gone are Owner Mood Digital, During his time at Vega, Solomon was instrumental in Devon Solomon the days of either left or right brain graduates.” implementing a number of education and community upliftment initiatives, including the launch of TEDxVega The future of business is by no means a straight line, with during his second year. He also spearheaded the companies now expanding their recruitment criteria to introduction of a unique fire detection system in a town in include candidates with creative backgrounds and skill Mozambique, after witnessing the death of two children in sets. As a result, young people entering the job market are a shack fire. beginning to take a more comprehensive, unconventional approach to their studies to become ‘all-rounders’ in their Solomon also had the opportunity to study in the chosen field. Netherlands for six months as part of Vega’s exchange programme, where he gained insight from a variety of Devon Solomon, a former student of Vega, is one mentors and other students from around the world. of many young South Africans choosing to study at institutions known for nurturing creative talent to gain “It’s always going to be up to the individual to seize a well-rounded education. While his goal was always to opportunities and create enriching and fulfilling careers become a businessman, Solomon also wanted to be part for themselves, but it helps to be part of an enabling of a learning environment that resonated with his values environment too,” he says. “I believe that if something and world-view. doesn’t exist, it’s up to you to create it, and that’s one the most important lessons I learned from studying at Vega.” Solomon, who recently started his own Digital Creative Creative environments give young people a safe and Studio, Mood Digital, says that studying at an institution accepting space to come up with the ideas that will change known more as a ‘creative school’ has many merits, and the world for the better, whether they hope to become an is particularly beneficial for students hoping to forge their artist or an economist. This is vital if we are to have any own unique career paths. hope of nurturing a generation of strategic thinkers and problem-solvers. “I chose to study at Vega because of the great business qualifications available, and because the institution’s values resonated with me,” says Solomon. “For me, a good business is a business that tries to do good, and transparency and ethics are vital in this process. Vega 20