News and Events > News > US AMBASSADOR PROMOTES OPPORTUNITIES FOR UMP STUDENTS DURING VISIT
University
28 April 2023

US AMBASSADOR PROMOTES OPPORTUNITIES FOR UMP STUDENTS DURING VISIT

During his visit, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of building stronger connections with the province and highlighted various opportunities available to UMP students, inspiring them to broaden their horizons and pursue their goals with renewed vigour.

During the meeting, UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso, the University Management team, the Head of School of Agricultural Sciences Professor Kutu Funso, and students from the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Science had the opportunity to engage with Ambassador Brigety II.

The Ambassador presented various opportunities available in the United States of America for UMP students studying agriculture, highlighting initiatives and programs offered by the U.S. Mission in Pretoria specifically for South African youths. This exchange of information aimed to inspire students to pursue academic and professional growth opportunities and foster stronger ties between the U.S. and South Africa.

According to Professor Kutu Funso, Ambassador Brigety II's visit to UMP was part of his South African tour, which aimed to gain insights into the various forms of agricultural education offered at UMP and interact with students from the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS).

The Ambassador shared information about numerous opportunities available to UMP students, including a prioritized J visa that offers temporary employment in the U.S. agricultural sector to nearly 10,000 young unemployed agricultural graduates. This initiative seeks to provide students with valuable international experience while also addressing unemployment challenges in South Africa's agricultural sector.

UMPUS Ambassador Brigety II shared opportunities with students from the School of Agricultural and Sciences.

“Besides the opportunity to earn income in foreign currency, the prioritized visa seeks to provide graduates an avenue to create a talent pipeline with 21st-century skills in modern agriculture to support the future South African agricultural sector,” he said.

During the meeting, Siphosethu Dibakoane, an Academic Talent Stewardship Programme (ATSP) Fellow and associate lecturer currently pursuing a Master of Science in Agriculture at UMP, had the opportunity to present his research work to Ambassador Brigety II. The Ambassador provided valuable feedback to Dibakoane, highlighting the importance of academic research in addressing the complex challenges faced by the agricultural sector. This exchange of ideas aimed to encourage young academics like Dibakoane to continue pursuing their research and contribute to the development of innovative solutions for the agricultural industry.

Amanda Cornelia Hlatshwayo, a student at UMP, expressed her appreciation for Ambassador Brigety II's visit, describing it as highly informative and beneficial.

“He informed us about the agricultural opportunities available in the United States, the H-2A work visa that allows South Africans to work in the agricultural sector in the United States, and receive a stipend of R300 an hour.”

“Since I'm an agribusiness student, he advised me of other visas suitable for agribusiness students. I definitely will check the visas mentioned on their website and take a chance on the USA, perhaps I might find myself doing my Masters and working simultaneously.”

In closing, Ambassador Brigety II said: "It has been great to visit and engage with students in the School of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Mpumalanga. Lots of very promising candidates for the US H-2A visa program for seasonal agricultural workers."

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.