How Honoris’ 21st Century learning environments help two students feel confident and capable in facing their future
Student Experience / 21st Century Learning Environments by Honoris Staff Writer
Many students find implementing classroom theory in the real world a challenge, which is why Honoris has developed its simulation centres and innovation labs. These labs give you the opportunity to develop deep capabilities in a real-world environment, boosting your confidence and employability. We hear from two students, Houssem Ahmadi practicing Surgical Instrumentation at the Medical Simulation Centre in Tunisia, and Vuyani Dlamini who turns his ideas into reality at the Regent Business School’s iLeadLAB, about how Honoris’ 21st Century learning environments have prepared them for future careers.
Houssem Ahmadi
Surgical instrumentation
Honoris Medical Simulation Centre, Tunisia
I was born in Tunis, Tunisia in 1996, and I now I live in Boumhel, Ben Arous. I have dreamed of being a doctor since I was a child. My father was a doctor, and I want to follow in his footsteps.
Instrumentation operatoire, or surgical instrumentation in English, is a specialisation within the field of paramedical studies. I have focused on becoming a surgical technologist, specialising in many surgeries such as cardiology, orthopedics, general surgery, and so on. I chose to concentrate on this special orientation because I’m so interested in medicine and the clinical setting. Professions in health are positions of responsibility, and it makes me feel good being able to take care of patients and to help them get well.
The Medical Simulation Centre has been invaluable in helping me to develop my professional knowledge. Simulation incorporates modern technologies and learning – for example, I learn to take and interpret vital signs, including body temperature, heart rate pulse, and breathing frequency, relying on robotic models. I also practice nursing, such as administering injections, running bladder tests, and performing blood transfusions, along with many other medical procedures.
It can be overwhelming when, as students, we first have to apply theoretical studies to real conditions, especially in life-or-death scenarios, such as emergencies. Manipulating medical or surgical instruments is a big challenge.
But by allowing me to practice nursing in a safe space – as if it were a real-life person I was treating – the Medical Simulation Centre has helped build trust in myself, and my capabilities in the real world, even under high pressure situations. I feel confident that I will be able to help save lives in the future because of this education.
Vuyani Mbongiseni Dlamini
BCom, Regent Business School
iLeadLAB, South Africa
I was born and raised in a small coal-mining town called Ermelo on the
Highveld, South Africa. I have conquered many adverse situations – from the age of 13 I worked as a janitor at a funeral parlour – and I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship: as teenagers, friends and I founded a soccer team in my home town, called Young Winners FC. I also co-founded a mobile/ walking “Snoepie” tuck shop, which brought snacks to every class in school. I have also established other start-ups, including a car-cleaning service and a collaborative ice-block-making business.
I am now working towards my BCom at Regent Business School in
Durban, majoring in Project Management and Economics. I use the School’s iLeadLAB as a place to cultivate a continuous culture of learning and personal development – the lab acts as an office for my start-ups, which include a conglomerate that focuses on retail family entertainment, recreation, healthcare and trade in goods and commodities, and a company which focuses on ICT solutions and cleaning services.
The lab has made me more aware of the huge shift that is fast approaching: the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Having the opportunity to translate my ideas into practical, physical solutions relying on graphics software “Inkscape”, the laser cutting program “RD Works”, and 3D printing software “Cura” gives me confidence in facing our technological future.
The lab is also a place to network and learn about cultural diversity, as you get to meet people from all walks of life with experience in countries across Africa and the world. We spend time bouncing ideas off each other. Alanna and Richard at the lab are passionate about challenging us to think outside of the box and to be independent problem-solvers.
From time spent at the lab, I have become more solution-focused, consistent and creative, and have learned to be more systematic, such as making schedules and setting deadlines. I am more resilient, self-reliant, and long-term in my thinking. All this has helped me to develop my vision, and overcome my fears. I aspire to being an African industrialist who helps eradicate inequality by investing in the South African township market, which I believe is the country’s newly found gold. I am now not only hoping to change my own destiny, but aspire to leadership roles to help develop my community.