T HE D A V INCI I NSTITUTE
F ACILITATORS N EWSLETTER L ETS
CO - CREATE REALITY
F EBRUARY 2015 We would like to welcome all of our facilitators to the Facilitators Newsletter. The objective is to utilise this platform in providing effective feedback to you in order to assist in co-creating reality.
DA VINCI ACADEMIC OPENING
MODE 2
The Da Vinci Academic Opening signifies the beginning of a
From feedback received from students, it seems there is
new year both in terms of academia and business opera-
more work to be done towards understanding Mode 2
tions. On Monday 19 January 2015, the Da Vinci team gath-
learning and how Mode 2 impacts the classroom interac-
ered in the Da Vinci room situated at the Da Vinci House to
tion.
take part in the official opening.
While we use the term ‘Mode 2’ very often in our discourse at the Institute, it is crucial that all facilitators and students
Professor Bennie Anderson, CEO of The Da Vinci Institute welcomed colleagues to the year of 2015 and instilled within us the notion of being remarkable. Remarkability can relate to
have a good understanding of what it means to work in a Mode 2 learning environment and how this can be embedded in our daily practice.
a person doing something so astounding that other people feel the need to make a remark about it. Further embedded within this context is whether we are constantly aware of both our own remarkability but also that of our peers. In stay-
Kraak
calls
knowledge’.
this
mode
of
learning
‘problem-solving
He also refers to this mode of learning as
‘transdisciplinary, transinstitutional and heterogeneous’.
ing true to Da Vinci’s purpose and as Managerial Leaders,
Do you have a clear understanding of Mode 2 and what it
are we also constantly aware of cultivating the remarkability
means in terms of your daily practice in the classroom/
in our students, colleagues and peers.
workshop environment?
Professor Dina Burger who consults with Da Vinci within the
We would like to encourage you to read about Mode 2
Academic Development role addressed the Da Vinci team
and its implementation. The following three articles may be
with a very clear key message. The year of 2015 will be
a good start
themed as “the year of business unusual”.
Linking to Prof
Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. 2000. The dynamics of inno-
Anderson’s comments is that the notion of remarkability also
vation: from National Systems and “Mode 2” to a Triple Helix
lies within the edges of unusual. Prof Burger put forward that
of university–industry–government relations. Research poli-
we need to stay unique and stay authentic. The team was
cy, 29(2), 109-123.
encouraged to re-commit to the Da Vinci seven principles whilst improving professionalism, tightening up our product offering, focussing on qualification and client whilst maintaining continuous communication with each other. The focus should also be on forging eternal and enduring relationships.
As an academic institution in the context of Mode 2, the following pillars need to be kept in mind at all times to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in the way we approach overall client service including the exceptional manner in which we approach our students. People, performance, product, action, quality and growth Within the year of business unusual, lies great opportunity.
Gibbons, M. 2000. Universities and the new production of knowledge:
some
policy
implications
for
govern-
ment. Changing Modes: new knowledge production and its implications for higher education in South Africa. Pretoria: HSRC. Kraak, A. (Ed.). 2000. Changing modes: New knowledge production and its implications for higher education in South Africa. HSRC Press.