SU student to network in Australia on leadership

FINAL-YEAR Stellenbosch University PhD student Ricardo Smart will be jetting off to Brisbane, Australia to represent South Africa at the Golden Key Asia Pacific International Leadership Conference this month.

Smart, 28, who is one of the guest speakers, will cover the topic: “Post-conference networking sessions are the game-changer”. The event is from February 6 to 8.

Smart will attend along with Golden Key Southern Africa director Dr Elmie Castleman and nine other delegates from different South African universities. “The meet and greet at the conference has led to several successful businesses and projects worldwide.

“Networking at conferences usually turns out to favour not only the participants but the broader community later. The exchange of business cards or contact details at conferences is the first sign of an upcoming collaboration and innovative output, but the postconference networking sessions are the game-changer,” Smart said.

Through networking at several academic functions, leadership conferences and service initiatives, Smart got to collaborate on multiple service projects nationally and internationally. In 2019, the Golden Key International Honour Society awarded Smart the International Leadership Council Award for Community Leadership.

“The importance of personal branding is a crucial component of

“The importance of personal branding is a crucial component Ricardo Smart Stellenbosch University PhD student

why people want to connect with you in the first place. Generally, people decide in the first 10 seconds whether they want to engage with you. You must give that person a good impression, as that’s how they will remember you for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Networking is an ongoing process for him, where he schedules regular “coffee” or “connect” sessions.

“Any connect sessions after a conference or social is what makes networking a success,” Smart said, adding it was vital to know how to build a professional relationship after you have networked. The group that will be attending (the conference) with me is divers regarding culture and background, a true reflection of our country. Regardless of the diversity, we can stand together as one and represent our country in the best way possible at an international platform,” he said.

“I’m excited to meet inspiring international leaders and to learn the culture of Australia. At the same time, I’m going with student leaders from different South African universities that have a great record of doing positive and influential projects on campus. I am sure that it would be a great pleasure for other delegates around the world to meet us,” Smart said. |