DUT STUDENTS ARE KEEN TO LEARN ABOUT FRENCH CULTURE AND CUISINE THROUGH ENSAIT PROGRAMME
Bursary Description
DUT STUDENTS ARE KEEN TO LEARN ABOUT FRENCH CULTURE AND CUISINE THROUGH ENSAIT PROGRAMME
Two sterling students from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) are currently in one of the most romantic cities in the world, stunning France. The two dynamic students, Buyisiwe Noncedo Kubheka and Nobuhle Jeza were selected for an amazing scholarship opportunity with great assistance from their lecturers, Alan Judd (Faculty of Applied Sciences) and Kiara Gounder (Faculty of Arts and Design).
They are spending a semester in a new environment, to learn about new cultures, to adapt to a different approach to teaching and to learn about complementary disciplines, through the ENSAIT (École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles) programme in France.
This programme is an international exchange semester for four months allowing the DUT students to see textile from a different perspective. The DUT students receive a return plane ticket, a train ticket, and 860 euros a month, medical coverage and assistance from the Embassy.
DUT lecturer, Mr Judd indicated that when his department was offered the opportunity of sending one student for a semester to ENSAIT, they chose Buyisiwe, because she was their top student in the 2024 academic year.
“It was a case of an absolutely stunning growth opportunity for a student which we could run with. So we engaged as best we could in the short time available, and it certainly has been stressful and nail-biting to try and get everything through in time. In addition, this is the first time that we have engaged on this particular programme – and so the process was mostly new to us. Thus I was most grateful for the ongoing assistance from Kiara Gounder in Fashion through this time. I must also add that ENSAIT themselves have been helpful and constantly in touch through this process,” he said.
He indicated that in the past, the students that have had international exposure have always benefited enormously, and so there is no doubts of the personal value that this trip would represent to Ms Kubheka.
“Our intention would be to promote and honour whatever equivalent ground we can, in terms of our Honours degree in the Textile Science qualification. In recent years, we have hosted several rounds of Textile students from ENSAIT previously in our department, and so we have a good first hand basis on which to feel assured of the excellent quality of instruction that they are being exposed to,” he shared.
Kubheka (21), an honours degree student in the Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Textile Science at DUT is ecstatic to have been selected for such an opportunity which is due to her academic excellence.
“I was identified based on my consistent top performance from my first year to the final year of my degree. My achievements, including receiving awards for being the top learner, played a key role in securing this opportunity. DUT facilitated the process, and with the support of Campus France, I was able to embark on this incredible experience. I am truly grateful for this recognition and the chance to expand my knowledge in textile engineering. but to also experience the rich culinary tradition, and even the French way of life,” she said excitedly.
Being her first time traveling overseas, arriving in France was both exciting and overwhelming. “Seeing a new country, experiencing a different culture, and knowing that I am here for an academic purpose made me feel proud and determined to make the most of this opportunity,” she shared.
Kubheka indicated that so far, her classmates have been welcoming and helpful.
“There is a mix of students from different backgrounds, which makes learning even more interesting. The diversity in perspectives has been enriching,” she added.
Through this scholarship, Kubheka aims to gain advanced technical skills, exposure to international textile innovations, and hands-on experience in high-tech textile applications. She further hopes to build professional connections that could benefit her career in the textile industry.
“These opportunities are vital for DUT students as they provide international exposure, allow us to learn from global experts, and enhance our skills in a highly competitive industry. It also helps in bridging the gap between academia and industry, making us more equipped for future career opportunities,” divulged Kubheka.
She happily shared that the food and culture have been a new experience for her. “Some dishes are quite different from what I am used to for example their coffee is super strong, but I am slowly adapting and enjoying and trying out new things. The cultural atmosphere is also very vibrant, with a strong appreciation for art, textile, fashion, and innovation,” she explained.
One of the challenges for Kubheka has been the language barrier. Although many people speak English, daily interactions in French can be challenging. To overcome this, she is trying to learn basic phrases and improve her communication skills.
She has professed that the weather has been colder than what she is used to in South Africa. “Adjusting to the cold has taken some time, but dressing appropriately and staying warm has helped, she relayed.
“All the subjects I am studying at ENSAIT are interesting, including the project work. Each subject provides valuable insights into advanced textile engineering, innovation, and sustainability. The combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application makes the learning experience even more engaging. I appreciate how the programme challenges me to think critically and apply my skills in real-world scenarios,” concluded Kubheka.
Jeza (21), an Advanced Diploma in Fashion and Textiles student at DUT said that she is currently excited to be studying at a Textiles engineering school based in Roubaix where she is learning about the textiles industry and researching on textile development practices.
“My journey with Campus France began in November 2024, I applied for my Advanced Diploma and found out that there was also an opportunity to travel to France to study at ENSAIT. I applied through my department, went through an interview process and got awarded the scholarship,” she gleefully expressed.
For Jeza, this is her first time travelling overseas and it has been overwhelming since the first day.
“I’ve been in awe since I arrived, everything looks so aesthetically pleasing. The transition was extremely smooth, all thanks to the welcoming culture of the community, my professors and fellow students,” she beamed.
Jeza shared that her classmates have been great. They are all from different parts of the world and have been learning about each other’s cultures and experiences.
From this experience, Jeza aims to obtain invaluable knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities from this scholarship, enabling her to excel in the field of textiles engineering and make a meaningful impact in the fashion industry.
“This scholarship will allow me to deepen my understanding of sustainable textiles and innovative design, ultimately empowering me to become a responsible and visionary leader in the industry,” she mentioned.
Jeza believes it’s vital for students like herself to have such opportunities because they foster hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation. By exploring real-world applications and collaborating with industry experts, she believes they can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to drive sustainable design solutions and technological advancements.
“It opens a new world for us to enhance our knowledge, gain international perspectives and furthermore gain knowledge that we can bring back to our mother land and provide meaningful contributions to the fashion industry and education. I hope more students are awarded such opportunities in the future because it will greatly benefit our industry in South Africa, our institution and the education space,” she expressed.
In terms of the food and culture, Jeza confessed that the food and culture have been different but in a good way.
“I love trying new foods and places, so it’s been a great learning experience. The ambiance is amazing, I’m so blessed to be based in such a history rich area. It’s a very peaceful and down to earth place and I’ve been enjoying that calmness amidst the chaos of academics,” added Jeza.
In terms of challenges she professes that the main challenge is not believing that this is real-like this is actually her life.
“Everything looks straight out of a movie scene, and I look forward to waking up to experience it every day, other than that I think as I spend more time with my classmates and friendly locals, I feel like I’m slowly becoming part of the community,” said Jeza.
Weather-wise, Jeza explained that it has been cold as it’s transitioning out of winter.
For Jeza, her studies entail a variety of subjects from learning French and French culture, marketing to textiles and fashion innovation.
“My favourite is discovery of technical textiles in fashion because I get hands on experience on how textiles are developed from the weaving to dyeing of fabrics. It also involves some chemistry and learning how the machinery used in weaving functions which has been extremely enlightening,” she delightfully shared.
Jeza has a YouTube channel where she is documenting her journey little by little (https://www.youtube.com/@_bybuhle ), go to _bybuhle on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Sharing the context of how this journey began between DUT and Capus France was Marie-Pierre DELESPIERRE, Director International Relations at the Ensait School of Engineering in France.
She explained that in September 2024, the French Government through Embassies located in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, launched a call for ‘Cross-mobility projects’ to which ENSAIT responded.
“The aim was to highlight an existing and solid university partnership between France and one of these countries. The partnership between DUT and ENSAIT (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Rats et Industries Textiles) has existed since 2013. There is already a long history of academic exchanges, research and respective visits. We felt it was important to respond and give two students the chance to spend a semester abroad and our call was successful,” she added.
Elaborating on the ENSAIT programme and how beneficial it is to students locally and abroad, Ms DELESPIERRE said that it was an opportunity for the students on both sides to spend a semester in a new environment, to learn about new cultures, to adapt to a different approach to teaching and to learn about complementary disciplines.
“We encourage the world of engineers and creative people to work together on projects throughout the semester, they learn from one another, as they will in the professional world. This greater mutual understanding enriches minds and builds lasting cooperation. Before their arrival, each international student is assigned an ENSAIT Buddy. This ENSAIT student keeps in touch with the international student, answering questions, reassuring them and helping them with anything that is not academic,” she said.
She further elaborated that on arrival, the ENSAIT Buddy picked up the international student at the station and took them to their accommodation. She shared that he or she will also help them throughout their stay to adapt to French life and introduce them to friends.
“In this way, it is a mutual benefit, the international student is welcomed by another student and the ENSAIT student prepares for his or her international departure for the following year (at ENSAIT 100% of our students go abroad for at least one semester). The more you are in contact with different cultures, the more open and tolerant you become. What’s different isn’t worse or better, it’s just different. Each student is also assigned a faculty member as an academic advisor to guide them in their university journey at ENSAIT,” she shared.
DELESPIERRE indicated that the students were selected by DUT, certainly based on academic criteria and merit.
“The international students arrived last weekend, and we officially welcomed them on Tuesday morning with a French-style breakfast. It is therefore still very recent. However, the only two pieces of advice I could give them are to savour every moment, as time passes very quickly, and to remain open-minded. With this attitude, you will always make the most of any situation,” she said.
She advised them to staying open-minded and non-judgmental which is a key condition for success during a stay in a different culture.
“The international students will also have the opportunity, if they wish, to experience some time with a French family. This is usually a very successful experience amongst international students. Next week with the international students we will bake chocolate mousse and the following day we will have a cheese party (40 to 50 different types of cheese to taste with French bread). This is part of the French culture class: What makes the French so French. We learn and we taste in my class,” she shared.
Pictured: DUT students at the ENSAIT programme.
Waheeda Peters