IOA to Offer Ombuds Training at University of Cape Town

The International Ombudsman Association's signature training will be offered in partnership with South Africa's Department of Higher Education and Training, and UCT on September 28 through October 1, 2015 Graduate School of Business's Breakwater campus. Zetu Makamandela-Mguqulwa, UCT's Ombud will be the host.

Two courses will be offered: 

Foundations of Organizational Ombudsman Practice (3 Days) 

This three-day course covers the fundamentals of the organizational ombudsman role. It provides basic information and training for the organizational ombudsman by emphasizing the principles of confidentiality, neutrality, independence, and informality. The course will benefit the recently-appointed ombudsman, individuals interested in becoming an ombudsman, or anyone desiring to establish an ombudsman function in industry, government, higher education, and public or private social services agencies. 

The Next Steps for New or Growing Programs (1 Day)

This course will follow and compliment the Foundations of Organizational Ombudsman Practice course. This course will concentrate on how to communicate the value and benefits of an ombudsman function internally to management who are considering starting an ombudsman office, and from the outside if you are an entrepreneur. 

The Chief Office of the Minister of Higher Education and Training has encouraged higher education institutions to create Ombuds offices to relieve the pressure of dealing directly with the complaints from students and staff. All 26 higher education institutions in South Africa have been invited to attend as well as ombuds from various organisations. (UCT News; IOA Training Info.)

Related posts: African Ombudsman Research Centre Opens in South Africa; University of KwaZulu-Natal Opens First Ombuds Office; Overview of Ombuds in Africa and the AOMA; University of Cape Town Ombuds Hosts Regional Workshop; South African HR Conference Spotlights Ombuds; University of Johannesburg Creates Ombuds Office; Stellenbosch University Appoints Ombuds; International Ombudsman Association Awards Scholarship to South African Dispute Resolution Specialist; Second Newsletter from University of Cape Town Ombuds is Full of Updates.