BRIDGING THE ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY GAP IN THE WASH SECTOR

By Mbali Sibiya, chair, WISA KZN Branch

The WISA KwaZulu-Natal Branch – in partnership with Durban University of Technology, Ewseta, uMngeni-uThukela Water, Universal Water Solutions, Borda SA, and the

Department of Water and Sanitation – recently held a symposium that brought together water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector stakeholders and academia.

Here are some of the highlights:

Mluleki Mnguni, WISA 2024 Conference Chair, highlighted the challenges that have plagued the WASH sector lately, with particular reference to cholera cases. “We should not be having reports of cholera outbreaks in South Africa in 2024 – this is evidence of governance issues in the WASH sector.”

Rambau shared her personal experiences as a practitioner who started working in the private sector after graduation. “The private sector requires professionals with skills and does not make it a habit to recruit graduates who do not possess those specific skills. Graduates are not exposed to technological advancement and therefore lack this skill; they need to align with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Communication, project management, financial, and leadership skills should be honed at importance of water sector collaborations from grassroots. She believes that it is essential to include children from primary school level on water awareness campaigns and advocacy. “Curricula at higher institutions must be fit for purpose so that graduates can easily fit into the workplace. Industry practitioners should not shy away from mentoring and supervising academic students from primary school level. They can also provide real-time WASH projects for lecturers and students to get better industry exposure.” the academic level, particularly with postgraduates.”

Daya spoke about the need for the private sector to provide more opportunities for graduates without and experience or skills. He highlighted that this can only be done if the private and public sectors, as well as academia work together – and are intentional about developing a specific workforce for the sector. “Academia must develop soft skills at academic institutional level, so that graduates will manage with integrating into the private sector.”

OUTPUTS OF THE SYMPOSIUM:

1. The WASH sector is in need of sessions that bring all role players together, to discuss and implement sustainable solutions for South African society. WISA has a role to play in bringing all stakeholders together; these sentiments were shared by most in the room.

2. All academic institutions present saw a need for industry professionals to play a role in the development of curricula that will suit the sector. Industry personnel were also encouraged to open their doors to provide mentorship and supervision to both graduates and lecturers through either formal programmes such internships, the WIL programme, or informal mentorship and guidance.

3. Professional bodies should have more engagements with academic institutions so that students are aware of them, and are able to focus on working in the sector.

4. Industry should open its doors to provide the appropriate experience to academics so that they can meet the requirements of professionals bodies such as SACNASP and ECSA. This will assist in bridging the academia-industry gap, as lecturers will be aware of industry needs.

5. WASH sector practitioners need to utilise professional bodies such as WISA in doing more meaningful school and community engagements so that communities are aware of the water sector and the skills that are needed. Schoolchildren should be guided from early on, so that they select the correct subjects that are aligned with workforce requirements for the sector and potential careers.

Stakeholders

1. Durban University of Technology

2. uMngeni-uThukela Water

3. Ewseta

4. Borda SA

5. Universal Water Solutions

6. eThekwini Municipality

7. University of KwaZulu-Natal – WASH R&D Centre

8. University of Johannesburg

9. Rand Water

10. MISA

11. South African Youth Parliament for Water

12. Mangosuthu University of Technology

13. Talbot

14. Elangeni TVET College

WISA KZN Branch leadership committee and event organisers (L-R) Dr Preyan Arumugam Nanoolal, Sayntha Ganes, Mbali Sibiya, and Ms Velile Chili