As part of the Quantity Surveying Living Life Legacy Programme, Kevin Hustler, the Nelson Mandela Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, was asked to present two guest-lectures to undergraduate and post-graduate students at the NMMU.
Before his presentation Hustler shared some of his own career journey following his graduation from university. These aspects encouraged the students to realize that their life path may not follow a straight line and that they may in fact not land up working in the field that they studied in.
Hustler introduced his presentation topic as: Envisioning the future of Nelson Mandela Bay, which covered the investment projects the Chamber is currently involved in as well as business efforts and developments the Chamber supports.
From the catalytic projects such as Project Mthombo, the key pillars of the Industrial Development Strategy and the Waterfront Development, to the investment projects in the Coega IDZ, Hustler also spoke on the purpose of Urban Renewal Projects involving the restoration of historical buildings in the city to beautifying areas such as King’s Beach and Govan Mbeki.
While he engaged the students on his presentation, rapturous excitement filled the lecture hall as he asked them to envision the possibilities for the city displaying images of infrastructural and building developments taking place overseas which could be ‘re-created’ and applied in Nelson Mandela Bay.
He posed the question: “Why can’t Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape have what other countries have in terms of development of bridges, buildings and freeways?”
He further encouraged the students on the opportunities that are offered in their field of study saying that ‘when one door closes another opens’ and to never give up pursuing their dreams and making them a reality.
“I challenge each student to apply your minds and aptitude and use every opportunity offered to you.” Echoing the words of Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Zanoxolo Wayile, Hustler encouraged students to “step through the door and into the future and dream the dreams you wish to make a reality for your attitude determines your altitude”.
There are currently 28 fields related to quantity surveying.
The Quantity Surveying Living Life Legacy Programme gives NMMU quantity surveying and construction economics graduates the opportunity to become the first prize employees in the world. As part of the programme guest speakers in the quantity surveying and building science profession are invited in to present to the students studying in these fields.
Professor Gaye Le Roux invited Chamber CEO Kevin Hustler to share some insight and inspiration on envisioning the future of Nelson Mandela Bay, with under grad quantity surveying students and post grad construction economics students at NMMU. Photo credit: Sandra Pow Chong
Article source: http://mype.co.za/new/2012/05/and-now-for-a-completely-different-lecture/
