(AGENPARL) – gio 07 marzo 2024 PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 March 2024
CUT and W&RSETA Research Leadership Chair offers new opportunities for Shaping Skills in Food Safety Culture and Sustainability
The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) and the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) have launched the CUT and W&RSETA Research Leadership Chair.
The objective of the Retail Leadership Chair is to contribute towards research and the development of W&R qualifications from NQF 5 -10 through collaboration between the Sector, labour, and institutions of higher learning. The collaboration between the key role players will ensure a pool with suitably qualified and experienced entrants for the Sector and that the skills levels of the current workforce are improved.
CUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof. Alfred Ngowi stated that the launch of the chair aligns with the institution’s commitment to academic distinction. “The W&RSETA Research Leadership Chair is a beacon of progress symbolizing our dedication to advancing knowledge and impact, particularly in the vital domain of food safety. It’s the first of this kind in the Free State Province and the fourth university to receive this prestigious honour, we stand at the forefront of pioneering initiatives that echo our vision for the future,” said Prof. Ngowi.
W&RSETA Chief Executive Officer, Tom Mkhwanazi added that the retail sector is advancing technologically, and the country cannot be left behind. “For us this is really a milestone in the SETA’s efforts of professionalising the wholesale and retail sector. The retail chair is particularly unique as it focuses on trends and development in our industry of food safety and sustainability. It is W&RSETA’s commitment to capacitate and showcase the excellent potential of institutions. Institutions must respond to the industry needs and that has been echoed. They cannot only just be producers of knowledge, but they must also be able to answer some of today’s challenges that we are facing as a country and find tomorrows opportunities. Such opportunities must extend to attracting young people to the sector,” said Mkhwanazi.
Director of the renowned Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology (CAFSaB) at CUT, Prof. Ryk Lues said that the centre also focuses specifically on vulnerable communities. “That is why we called our chair ‘food safety culture and sustainability’. The food safety culture component also says something about organisational culture, leadership and how do you motivate your people to care about the customer. The sustainability part is very wide because that relates to the circular economy, renewable packaging, to sell-by and best before dates and how best to manage that,” said Prof. Lues.
The Retail Leadership Chairs serve as conduits between industry and institutions of learning, in terms of constructive engagements, best practice in the sector locally and internationally, curriculum relevance, work integrated learning and facilitation and collaboration with international institutions to align the sector to international best practice.
Captions:
1. CUTis Board Chairperson, Nonie Mokose and W&RSETA Chief Executive Officer, Tom Mkhwanazi.
2. CUT and W&RSETA have launched the Research Leadership Chair – Shaping Skills in Food Safety Culture and Sustainability.
About CUT
CUT is the foremost higher education institution in the heartland of South Africa, dedicated to quality education and training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. CUT boasts pockets of excellence, including a premier Hotel School and leading research and innovation platforms, e.g. world-class medical product development through 3-D printing technology.
For more information about CUT, visit http://www.cut.ac.za.
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