BWA signs Memorandum of Understanding with NMMU

The Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

The agreement provides for cooperation, reciprocity and mutual benefit in the development and leadership of women.

A particular area of interest to the NMMU is the BWA’s Youth Outreach Programme, which adopts a “pay it forward” approach of educating students and inspiring them to create opportunities to pass on to others the expertise that they have learned.

According to Betsy Ings of the BWA, the agreement will enrich the lives of countless women in business.

Derrick Swartz of the NMMU agrees that much will flow from this partnership and has pledged R50 000 to the BWA.

The Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) is always seeking innovative ways to support, connect and grow women in business and what better way than to sign a memorandum of understanding with the largest employer of women in our region. The Memorandum addresses the various portfolios in the BWA:

• Youth outreach - through various initiatives the BWA and NMMU will partner the Matric “Pay it Forward – 3 generation” Workshop, The BWA/La Femme/NMMU Bursary – annual award to young female matriculants, the Cell C take a girl child to work initiative to mention but a few.
• Membership - various Faculty and Department Heads at NMMU will join the BWA membership adding great value and using the opportunity to network with a large forum of women in business nationally. Young ladies in leadership in various associations will be afforded membership with the BWA creating development platforms for them.  The national Nedbank Census launch will add great value to NMMU’s business forums. NMMU members will have the opportunity to contribute to a monthly article in the press.
• Virtual Board - NMMU staff will add great value as Mentors to BWA’s Virtual Board Programme and will also be able to enjoy support as a mentee. BWA’s Hurdles and Help initiative is a monthly forum where relevant issues pertaining to women in business are discussed and NMMU will provide speakers and participate in interactive forums.

Training and Development: BWA members will enjoy reduced tariffs for Management and Business related courses and will have a choice of participating in a diploma or short courses pertinent to their training needs to add value and skill to their businesses. Intellectual capacity will be provided for relevant research projects on Youth and Green Issues.

This Strategic Alliance offers both organizations the opportunity to build and increase credibility and grow diversity with their common goals.

Please click here to view the photo gallery for this event.