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Publication

THE RIDGE MAGAZINE

Page

36-37

Date

Thurs 01 Feb 2018

AVE (ZAR)

33941.89

__ advertorial*

aking the rightstudy choiceis vital - it isultimately thestartingpoint of

a career, which means students

and parentswant to ensuretheyselect a future-proofeducation."For parentsand studentslookingfor the right tertiaryinstitution, the accreditation of

the various institutions, the typeof educationalmethodologythatis provided, as well as the career

trajectoryof graduatesshouldbe taken into consideration,"said Shevon Lurie, MD ofVegaSchool.

Vega School is an educationalbrand of The IndependentInstituteof Education(The IIE)with an unmatched graduateemployment rate. For the Vegaclass of 2016, 94% found

employmentwithin just sixmonths of graduating. Thesefiguresare a direct resultofVegaSchool'smethodology,industr y network and thedecision to expand its IIE

offeringsover the lastfew yearsto add brand management andstrategic brand communicationprogrammesto its largelydesign basedportfolio."Theworld of brand and brandbuilding has vastly expanded,presentinga wide scope ofglobal and local careersforaspiring and ambitious schoolleavers," said Naretha Pretorius,Campus Navigator(Principal).Making a study decision canbe overwhelming. For thisreasonVegaoffersGenerationVworkshops giving learners andparents a taste of what it's liketo study at Vega and to developan idea of the associatedcareers. Pretoriusexplains that"It is impor tantto make aninformeddecision. We welcomeparents and learners to attendthe workshop and complementit by attendingan Open Dayfollowed by a consultation. "

The IIE's businessmanagement andcommunication degreesatVegaSchoolare designed

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A NEWBREED OFTHINKERSEmploymentisa criticalconcerninSouthAfricawith75%ofschoolleaversleftunemployed.Butwithbusinessdemandingthehigheststandards,VegaSchoolgraduatesareindemand

.t hoe r i d g e o n l i noe . c o . z a

to incorporatecreativity andinnovationusingvarious localand global brand building andstrategicbrand communicationmodels, combined with design

thinking. Dr Carla Enslin, VegaSchool co-founder, explains theschool'sapproach: "At Vega,strategistsare taught creativethinking principles and designersare taught how to thinkstrategically ,and this attitude tolearning is what givesour alumnithe edge in the job market."

Vega's teaching approachhassince its inception in 1999included what is now referredto by the World EconomicForumas the top 10 futureskills. The top three include

complex problemsolving,critical thinking, and creativity.Vega applies these future skillsthrough action learning andtheir highly engaging real-worldchallenges. This includes liveclient briefs and the annualBrand Challenge; an extensive

trans-disciplinar yprocesswith students presentingtheirresearch, strategyand finalexecutionto clients. Client briefsensurestudents apply andunderstand industr y practicewhile building confidence andgaining real-world experiencebeforeentering the industr y.Vega is proudof its

extensiv eindustr y relationsproviding students the network

F E B - M A R

for internshipsfor futureemploymentoppor tunities.PortfolioNight is an exampleof how third year and honoursstudents presenttheir portfolioofwork to a panel of highlyrespected industr y partners,who offerfeedbackforimprovementbeforethey entertheir internships at relevantcompanies. "I find it inspiringand uplifting to see the workthe students are doing. I was soimpressed!"said 2017 panelmember lan Gourley, GroupCreativeDirectorof Barrows

solely as passiveconsumers, butrather as potential collaboratorsor co-creatorsin innovatingandbuilding businessportfolios.Thestrategicbrand manager is ananalyst, a strategist, a designthinker and innovatorwhobrings new ideas into practicaluse. The best of the best disruptindustries, shift expectations

and redefinecategor yeconomicsas a whole."

The businessmanagementandstrategicbrandcommunicationprogrammesofferedby The IIE'sVegaSchoolinclude:

p| OPENDAY:24MARCH E==

Global and Regional Advisor yCouncil memberofVegaSchool.Wendy Mahoney, businessconsultant and innovationspecialist, added that it reallyshowcasedwhat makesVegaspecial and unique.

The IIE's VegaSchoolwasestablished to graduate a newbreed of thinkers. The currentworld of businessdemandsindustr y-readygraduateswhohave been educated accordingto the highest standardsin theirfield. Dr Enslin elaborates: "Thecontempor arybrand managerdoes not regardmarkettargets

2 0 1 8

m IIE HigherCertificatein BrandBuilding Practice(an option toenter a degree).m IIE BCom in StrategicBrand Management, IIE

BCom in Digital Marketing, IIEBBA in Brand Building andManagement and the IIE BA inStrategicBrand Communication.m IIE BCom HonoursinStrategic Brand Management,and the IIE BA Honours inStrategicBrand Communication.m IIE Masterof Arts in CreativeBrand Leadership.031 5691415(Pwww.vegaschool.com