On Wednesday, the 5th October 2016 REGENT Business School conducted their first ever Graduation ceremony held at the Westville Correctional Services centre in Durban to honour Graduands from the Medium E (female) section of the prison.
A similar graduation ceremony was simultaneously conducted at the Medium B (male) Prison.
Six students altogether from both sections of the Westville Correctional Services Centre, two female and four male students, had successfully completed their studies in one of the following programmes; the Higher Certificate in Business Management (CIBM), Higher Certificate in Islamic Finance, Banking and Law (HCIFBL) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PG DIM).
The Muslim Prison Board KZN played a supportive role in facilitating the communications between REGENT Business School and the officials at the Westville Correctional Services Centre.
The Department of Correctional Services staff who were present at the female Graduation ceremony had very motivating and supportive messages for the female Graduands and the inmates attending the ceremony.
The Durban Correctional Services Social worker at the Medium E facility, Mrs Dhlamini recognised the efforts of REGENT Business School in bringing the graduation ceremony to the students. She eluded to the fact that this was a very first such event held at a female correctional services centre. She said that historically students would study through a college and they would receive their certificates via the post. There was no ceremony to recognise the student’s efforts or to motivate the other inmates. She was direct in motivating the audience to make the effort and commit to educating themselves. She lauded REGENT Business School for being the only institution to recognise their students and for their commitment towards student’s success and achievements.
The head of the Durban Correctional Services, Mrs Mkhize expressed her heartfelt gratitude to REGENT Business School for making education accessible to the inmates of Westville Correctional Services Centre. She said that she saw the graduation ceremony as being an affirmation of the commitment and dedication the students had in completing their studies. She recognised the female offenders for their efforts and in achieving their qualifications despite the harsh conditions they found themselves in. Mrs Mkhize further indicated that the parole board looked favourably upon and encouraged students who had undertaken some sort of study during their time in prison. She finally expressed her pride in the achievements of all the students graduating.
REGENT Business school representatives addressed the audience of approximately 50 inmates on the study options available to them and received questions that the inmates had. The morning’s proceedings ended with refreshments for the inmates.
