Students, Staff, Alumni, Faculty, Associates and Friends

THE DA VINCI INSTITUTE

DECEMBER 2014 SUMMER NEWSLETTER

The Da Vinci Institute presents Masters and PhD

Information Brunch

The Da Vinci Institute held an Information Brunch for delegates interested in registering for

PhD and Masters qualifications. Individuals who are self-directed in terms of their learning

journey joined us at the Da Vinci house.

Overall 57 prospective learners attended the event to gather more information about the

individual programmes and the Mode 2 philosophy that culminates in the Da Vinci study

environment.

Mr Sechaba Motsieloa warmly welcomed the attendees. “Don’t be shy with your opinions

because you will deny everyone else the opportunity to learn from the environment you will

be co-creating”, Sechaba Motsieloa, Corporate Affairs Director of McDonalds SA and

Chairman of Da Vinci Council; shared his passion of Da Vinci with the delegates.

Professor Bennie Anderson, CEO of The Da Vinci Institute, facilitated the session and intro-

duced the Da Vinci dream, purpose, principles and brand promise. The purpose and objec-

tive of the PhD and Masters qualifications were also deeply explored. Individual attendees

were probed regarding their thoughts on taking their first steps on this journey and how they

could embrace this new and innovative way of thinking.

This session proved positive and informative for the attendees. After the session, they were

asked to indicate their interest in participating in the new intake. A networking brunch was

held afterward where interested learners could enquire further with Da Vinci staff.

Da Vinci proudly introduces one of our new PhD students

James Scott

Leonardo group 19 started their first day of the research and dissertation workshop on 23 October

2014. The cohort consists of 33 Masters and PhD students, one of whom is James Scott. James is the

publisher at BusinessBrief which is a business management Magazine that provides the decision makers

in business with the information they need to make better business decisions. The Da Vinci Institute re-

cently sat down with James to hear his story.

“After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, I felt that if I was going to make a success of my career, I

should enter an industry that would be likely to experience super-normal growth.

It was the eighties and I believed, that in very broad terms, the two industries that would experience

super-normal growth would be in technology and in the dissemination of information. I had a broad

interest in both.

My first foray into technology was successful. I was the FD of a company that developed many budget

software applications. The most popular product our team developed has now been rebranded and

is a market leader in accounting software – Pastel Accounting. However, I felt the challenges that

would beset an entrepreneur in the industry were the high cost of R&D and the continuous threat of

competition.

With that in mind I started BusinessBrief Publishing. The idea was to create a business that would be crit-

ical in the dissemination of information to business professionals and decision-makers. I do believe that

I have come a long way in this regard.

However, the world is changing and it is changing fast! Since the end of 2007 when the first signs of re-

cession were noticed as well as the ever-increasing changes in technology, the publishing industry as

well as many other industries are under pressure to adapt or fail.

New technologies are creating an environment where information is growing at an exponential rate

and is being communicated and disseminated differently.

I have always had diverse interests and an overflow of ideas. I do believe that furthering my ideas in

an academic framework will contextualise them better and help ensure that I am able to bring them

to economic fruition.”

To read the BusinessBrief December 2014/January 2015 edition, simply follow the BusinessBrief logo on

The Da Vinci website: www.davinci.ac.za.

PAGE 2 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2014

PAGE 3 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2014

FNB Home Loans Learnership Launch

The discussions between FNB Home Loans and The Da Vinci Institute were initiated when Craig Fortuin

(Skills Development Manager) and Phumie Mayonga (Training Coordinator) started over 100 Home

Loans Employees on the NQF 5 Learnership, the progression of the Home Loans Employees are partic-

ularly important to the Skills Development segment. There will be 58 candidates starting the pro-

gramme at The Da Vinci Institute in January 2015.

On 14 November 2014, a launch was held at the FNB Home Loans building. Craig Fortuin welcomed

the attendees who consisted of the learners, managers and Da Vinci staff.

Craig Fortuin, Skills Development Manager at FNB Home Loans introduced Geoff Law who is a facilita-

tor at Cornerstone, one of Da Vinci’s associates. Geoff engaged with the learners, explaining the

Mode 2 concept and how the programme has no exams and only assignments. Mode 2 refers to the

applicant of knowledge creation within one's workplace. Cornerstone facilitates the banking mod-

ules and Da Vinci remains the conferring institution. Geoff spoke to students about the continual

openness to learn and by keeping in mind the work of Bamura; he states that belief determines po-

tential. The potential leads to action which in turn determines the result which confirms that belief.

Thrishan Naicker, Key Account Manager at Da Vinci and Carin Stoltz-Urban, Client Engagement Man-

ager at Da Vinci spoke of the difficulty in establishing balance between work, study and family life.

They advised that good support at home is essential and that Da Vinci offers student support to our

students and are always here to assist.

"Da Vinci is the back seat driver and as a student, you will be in the front seat driving but Da Vinci will

always be here."

Sechaba Motsieloa, Chairman of Da Vinci Council explained that the purpose of Council is to safe-

guard the academic integrity of the qualification and to guarantee quality assurance and compli-

ance as regulated by the Council of Higher Education (CHE). "Be the best you that you can be be-

cause all the other personalities are taken." He asked the students, "What is going to be your legacy?

When you want to start a fire, make a spark".

Siphiwe Moyo (Head: Learning and Development) motivated the attendees by displaying an ener-

getic and passionate talk. He encouraged students to do well rather then say well because doing is

more effective than saying and that their learning journey is in their hands.

PAGE 4 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2014

New Student Representatives Appointed

The Da Vinci Institute planned and executed an inauguration ceremony that was held at Da Vinci

House on 3rd October 2014. Certain individuals were approached to fill these roles on various Sub-

Council Committee’s.

These include the following

Ethics Committee Council

Boitumelo Maseko Pieter Louw Joshua Masha Juliette Fourie

We believe that there is much value to be gained from an SRC that works well for the good of the

students and Da Vinci as a whole.

Institutional Forum Academic Board

Examination Committee

Monica Peethum Walter Chimanyi Joe Maseko Este Welman

Lynne Lourens Michael Savvides

PAGE 5 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2014

President’s Dinner held for PhD students

The month of September reflects the magnitude of such accomplishments made by students as

The Da Vinci Institute held their President’s Dinner for Doctorate graduates on Tuesday 16 Septem-

ber 2014. The event was held at short term insurance company Alexander Forbes Head office in

Sandton, Johannesburg. The host of the evening was Group CEO of Alexander Forbes and Presi-

dent of The Da Vinci Institute, Mr Edward Kieswetter.

The dinner took the form of an intimate dinner with tables situated around the trees in the reception

foyer of the beautiful building. The event was attended by Da Vinci’s sixteen PhD graduates with

their partners, the respective academic and field supervisors, Da Vinci management team and

Council members. The highlight of the evening was the attendance of eight PhD graduates who

had travelled from Zimbabwe and joined in the celebration of finally reaching this point in their

learning journey.

Gauteng Opera, an all-round performing arts and entertainment company with specialities in

opera productions provided the entertainment for the evening. The evening neared its conclusion

with student speeches from Dirk Taljaard and Elizabeth Mamukwa who shared some of their insights

from their learning journey. They spoke of their challenges and shared how they overcame their

obstacles.

Each PhD student and their partner was called up to receive a Da Vinci gift which was handed

over by Professor Bennie Anderson (CEO of The Da Vinci Institute) and Professor Roy Marcus

(Chairman of The Da Vinci Institute).

Mr Edward Kieswetter in closing shared the following advice…. “You don't have to be GREAT to get

STARTED, but you have to get STARTED to be GREAT! Why not get STARTED today?”

PAGE 6 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2014

The Annual Graduation Ceremony

The Annual Graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday 17 September 2014 at The

Linder Auditorium at the Wits Education Campus. It was a grand ceremony attended by

over 600 guests. A total of 215 graduates were proudly acknowledged with 182 undergrad-

uates and 33 post graduates. 17 students received their MSc, and 16 received the PhDs.

One remarkable story was that of Professor Johann Coetzee and son Jan Andries Coetzee

who were conferred and received their PhD degrees together at the graduation.

The momentous occasion saw Gauteng Opera sing Gaudeamus Igitur in the academic pro-

cession. Two trumpeters and two drummers lead five banner carriers and Council members

on to stage. Ms Jean Grundling, Academic Development Manager was the Master of Cere-

monies and announced all the students on to the stage. Mr Mahlubi Mabizela, Chief Direc-

tor: University Education Policy and Development Support, Department of Higher Education

and Training delivered a speech at the Graduation Ceremony. His speech reflected on the

learning journey of a student, “Nothing comes easily in life: that, to me is one of important

lessons in life. “

Dr Wynand Goosen, a Da Vinci alumnus presented the alumni address and welcomed grad-

uates to become part of the Alumni Association. Mr Sechaba Motsieloa, Chairman of

Council congratulated the graduates and dissolved the congregation.

Well done to our 215 graduates, The Da Vinci Institute is so proud of you.

PAGE 7 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2014

The Da Vinci Institute

will be closed for the holiday season from

12 December 2014 and will re-open

on 5 January 2015.

We would like to take this opportunity

in thanking you for your hard work,

passion and positive energy that you

have displayed towards Da Vinci during

this year.

We wish you and your family a

happy holiday season.

Storm Thomas

Manager: Communications