Staff members from the University of Zululand’s Computer Science Department participated in the CHIETA Community Outreach and Skills Development Forum held on 3 March 2026 at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
Professor MO Adigun, Ms Z Magubane, and Mr S Fatyi attended the forum to represent the institution in ongoing community engagement and skills development initiatives. Their participation also aimed to gather insights into current sector skills priorities and explore opportunities for collaborative community-based projects.
During the forum, presentations highlighted critical sectoral skills gaps and the need for targeted upskilling initiatives, particularly for youth and unemployed members of local communities. The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) also outlined several upcoming funding opportunities that support skills programmes, learnerships, and community development projects.
Discussions among stakeholders focused on strategies to strengthen partnerships between industry and educational institutions in order to enhance community impact and ensure that training programmes respond effectively to labour market needs.
The event also featured networking sessions, providing a platform for engagement between industry representatives, educational institutions, and community organisations. These interactions allowed participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore potential collaborations.
According to the attending staff members, the forum was both informative and beneficial. The discussions and insights gained align closely with the University of Zululand’s objectives in community outreach and skills development. The knowledge acquired from the engagement is expected to contribute to strengthening the department’s initiatives and fostering future collaborations with CHIETA and other stakeholders.
By Sakhile Fatyi