Be creative, Price tells new managers

Going higher and higher: UCT has produced the first group of line managers through its recognition of prior learning process.

A new cohort of line managers was unveiled at UCT when 12 staff members celebrated the completion of a national certificate in management programme, offered, for the first time, through the Staff Learning Centre.

To qualify for the programme, the group had first completed the centre's Supervisory Skills Programme, an eight-day programme that focuses on personal effectiveness, the management function, and building commitment with individuals and teams. The "trailblazers", as the group was affectionately called, then took part in a Recognition of Prior Learning process, a demanding six-to-eight-month programme that required them to undertake practical assignments within their departments.

Recently, they graduated from the process, and each received a National Certificate in Management, Level 3 qualification.

Vice-chancellor, Dr Max Price, on hand to present the graduates with their certificates, advised the graduates not to depend on the conventional style of management, urging them to be consultative, creative and motivational to get the best out of their colleagues.

"Having good new ideas is the most important thing that singles out leadership in a university environment," Price explained.