The George Education Forum with representatives from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) - Prof Quinton Johnson and Dr Marianne Doubell, Unisa - Ms Pulane Mphasane, South Cape College - Dr Rajesh Maharaj, Department of Education - Ms Alta Raath and Ms Carlene Swartz, George Business Chamber - Ms Ingrid Cronje and Dr Dennis Farrell and George Municipality - Ms Carli Bunding-Venter, intend to meet on a regular basis.
Dr Farrell serves on the Executive Committee of the George Business Chamber and volunteered to facilitate the education portfolio.
During the George Municipality's 2012 Economic Strategy process, education was identified as one of seven key niche sectors that will drive the economy in years to come. During a recent public lecture by NMMU Chancellor Santie Botha, the key role that education providers play in any economy was again highlighted. There has been increasing interest and discussions around George's position as hub of education in the Garden Route and Southern Cape and how the town city can maximise the benefit that such a positive positioning would bring.
The group has formulated a strong position statement and aims to:
- Facilitate the education and development of people in scarce and critical skills for the region and South Africa,
- Align and influence curricula applicable to entrepreneurship, business application and research,
- Position George as a preferred education and knowledge economy destination in South Africa, and
- Encourage and facilitate innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, development and implementation within the educational sector
It is anticipated that the Education Forum will add extensively to the list of represented entities and will encouraging dialogue with secondary schools and private sector training institutions.
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