Nestlé Supply Chain Development Students Articulated into Logistics Diploma

PORT ELIZABETH, 24 March 2014 - Students of the Nestlé Supply Chain Development Programme (NSCDP) were articulated into the University’s Diploma in Logistics last month. This achievement was celebrated by NMMU Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Nestlé and NMMU Business School in a small articulation ceremony.

The articulation path that was created for students who completed the NSCDP is also a first for NMMU, illustrating unique synergies between NMMU Business School, NMMU Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, and the national business community. 

“The development from a custom and bespoke development programme into a full-fledged diploma has never been undertaken by the university. It is the first time this style of articulation has been approved by the highest levels of NMMU’s upper echelon,” commented Leon Mouton, Director for NMMU Business School’s Leadership Academy. 

The employees of Nestlé embarking on this Diploma will attend block lectures in 2014 and 2015 in Port Elizabeth and be supported via video-conference throughout their studies.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Professor Niekie Dorfling, commented on this achievement.

“The context of business and education has become remarkably different in our globalised world. Positioning an organisation’s competitors has become increasingly tricky, and the shelf-life of the knowledge that makes an organisation such as Nestlé competitive has become increasingly short.

“It is because of this landscape that new relationships need to be opened up between business and education, such as the relationship we have forged between Nestlé and NMMU,” Prof Dorfling said.

The articulation into the Diploma in Logistics is phase two of the relationship between Nestlé and NMMU; phase one being the NMMU Business School’s Nestlé Supply Chain Development Programme which was completed by the group of Nestlé employees in 2013.

Nestlé’s Supply Chain Training and Development Manager, Stefan Grobler, commented on the new relationship Nestlé has developed with NMMU and NMMU Business School.

“There has been so much work behind the scenes in implementing this articulation and Nestlé is very excited with what is happening.

“Nestlé Worldwide watched this unique initiative with a keen interest and will be following the outcome of the articulation with their undivided attention.

“For Nestlé, this is not just a ‘tick-in-the-box’ exercise, but a new way of experiencing both training and learning. It is the beginning of a long and valuable road for the organization – nationally and internationally,” Grobler said.

One Nestlé employee, Nopinki Nkoni, was eager to engage with the business learning and executive logistics education.

“The atmosphere on campus was so alive and we faced a challenging week. But it is great to get out of the office and feel like a student again,” Nkoni said.