UNIZULU prepares to upskill novice researchers during MBALI Conference

THE Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law (FCAL) within the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is gearing up for its Management, Business, Administration and Legal Initiatives (MBALI) Faculty Conference, which is scheduled to take place on December 3 and 4.

The two-day event will take place in a hybrid fashion, with a limited number of participants in physical attendance, while the remainder will connect virtually. One of the organisers of the conference, Prof Irrshad Kaseeram, who is also Deputy Dean: Research and Internationalisation in FCAL explained that since the country is on Alert Level 1 of the national shutdown, limited face-toface interaction is allowed. Bearing this in mind, the faculty therefore decided to cater for up to 50 face-to-face and online interactions in two breakaway venues at the Richards Bay Campus, while strictly adhering to the basic Covid-19 regulations of enforcing social distancing and proper sanitisation.

“This year, the conference will target faculty postgraduates and staff researchers. The main focus (will be) the promotion of research among novice researchers, through interactions with experienced staff and external researchers within the community of practice. Participants will get both the feel of a normal conference setting as well as the ‘new normal’ online experience,” Prof Kaseeram said.

He acknowledged that the pandemic had prevented the faculty from hosting the biennial international version of the MBALI conference this year. The conference, for which ABSA Group Limited has already granted funding, will now be held in 2021 when Covid-19 is no longer a threat.

Members of the organising team with some of the guest speakers during the 2018 biennial MBALI International Conference, which took place at Empangeni’s Umfolozi Hotel Casino and Convention Resort.