Photo: From left: Siphiwe Mkwanazi, an Electrical Engineering student from Bloemfontein Campus, with Ntebaleng Mopeli, Human Resource Management student from Welkom Campus representing CUT at the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference held in Lublin, Poland. 

In an era of unprecedented connectivity and cross-cultural collaboration, two Central University of Technology students showcased the immense potential of internationalisation when they explored global horizons.

Two CUT students, Ntebaleng Mopeli, Human Resource Management student from Welkom Campus, and Siphiwe Mkwanazi, an Electrical Engineering student from Bloemfontein Campus, embarked on a transformative journey through the X-Culture virtual exchange programme. Their voyage culminated in participating at the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference held in Lublin, Poland from 12-19 July 2023.

The X-Culture program is a flagship initiative led by the Centre for Global Engagement (CGE) within CUT's broader Internationalization at Home (I@H) framework. The program offers students an alternative route to global exposure, allowing them to experience the benefits of internationalisation without leaving the university premises. It has been instrumental in developing the university's distinctive graduate attributes and nurturing 21st-century employability skills.

At its core, the X-Culture program facilitates virtual collaboration among students from diverse nations and cultures. These cross-border teams, with members across the globe, are tasked with formulating solutions to real-world international business challenges presented by corporate partners of X-Culture. With an impressive participation rate of around 5,000 students from 150 universities spanning 40 countries and six continents every semester, the programme underscores its universal appeal and effectiveness in transcending geographical boundaries.

According to Mr Sekoele Ramajoe, Coordinator: Internationalisation at Home, the student’s inclusion in the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference is an accomplishment that underscores their exceptional qualities. “Out of a pool of 500 students who applied to be part of the conference, our students emerged among the top 150 finalists invited to partake in this event. This recognition further amplifies the significance of their participation and affirms their dedication to global learning,” he said.

The Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland, hosted this year's event. The conference provided a unique platform for them to interact with world-renowned International Business and Management educators. Moreover, they had the privilege of networking with peers from across the globe, expanding their personal and professional horizons. The conference was a holistic experience, encompassing diverse activities such as a business case competition, visits to local companies, discussions with local entrepreneurs and community leaders, and various career and professional development workshops. This immersive exposure resonates deeply with CUT's educational philosophy, which prepares students for success in a world of diversity and interconnectedness.

Ramajoe added that their participation in the X-Culture Global Business Week Conference symbolises the university's dedication to equipping its students with the skills, networks, and experiences necessary to excel internationally. “For Ntebaleng Mopeli and Siphiwe Mkwanazi, this was more than a geographical shift; it was an odyssey into the heart of global business education. They are compelling narratives of how CUT's commitment to internationalisation can foster global perspectives, ignite cross-cultural exchanges, nurture an entrepreneurial mindset and prepare students for the complexities of the modern world.”

This transformative journey was made possible by the support of various entities within CUT. Financial backing from the Office of the Deputy Campus Manager at Welkom Campus, the faculties, Management Science and FEBIT (Faculty of Built Environment, Engineering, and Information Technology), and the Centre for Global Engagement (CGE) underscored the university's commitment to enabling its students to thrive in international arenas.