477 student participations were recorded. Students completed industry briefs, site-based media production, internships, and curation assignments with organisations such as Tourvest, Hotel Sky, 44 Stanley precinct partners, and others. These experiences helped students connect theory with visitor experience design, tourism product development, and the operations of integrated tourism value chains. Building real solutions (Applied Information Systems) In this twosemester capstone project, 110 thirdyear students engaged in client-facing digital solution development. Students produced project portfolios as evidence of learning, demonstrating their ability to apply systems analysis, agile development, usercentred design, and technical implementation in response to real organisational needs. {Sharma, 2025 #146}This experience strengthened digital literacy, teamwork, communication, and analytical thinking. Valuation in practice (Finance & Investment) In Property Valuation and Management 2B, 89 secondyear students engaged in a simulationbased WIL activity aligned to professional valuation standards and supported by the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession (SACPVP). Students applied valuation principles in realistic scenarios, enabling them to develop strong evidencebased reasoning and applied decisionmaking skills. Entrepreneurship with community impact (Business Management) Across Entrepreneurship 2, 684 students engaged in case-based learning, service learning, and communityengaged projects. Collaborating with SMMEs, urban farmers, and informal-sector entrepreneurs, students applied innovation theory, problemsolving, and business modelling to real business challenges whilst also reflecting on social impact and developmental value Strategy for real brands (Marketing Management Honours) In Advanced Strategic Marketing Management, 64 honours students developed strategic marketing solutions for real brands such as Clover and PepsiCo. Deliverables included client-facing presentations and professional portfolios, closely mirroring consultancy work and strengthening industry-readiness. Honours students and FADA Graphic Design students collaborated in a minimarkethon to develop UJ-20 brand designs and brand application strategies. From classroom to consultancy (Tourism Management) In Destination Development 3A, 97 students engaged with specialist insights provided by Digby Wells, completing applied consultancy-style tasks linked to tourism planning and destination development. These enabled students to bridge theoretical frameworks with the realities of professional planning and sustainable tourism management. Non-Subsidised Programmes The CBE offers a robust portfolio of non-subsidised programmes designed to equip professionals, organisations, and public sector institutions with practical skills, specialised knowledge, and strategic insights. Delivered through face-to-face, online, and blended learning modes, these programmes bridge academic theory with real-world application, enhancing employability, leadership capacity, and sectoral expertise. The College’s non-subsidised offerings are particularly responsive to the evolving needs of industry, governance, and professional sectors. They integrate emerging technologies, innovative management frameworks, and leadership development to ensure participants gain both technical proficiency and strategic insight. These programmes provide actionable knowledge that can be immediately applied within organisations, enabling them to drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage. Beyond skills development, these programmes foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decisionmaking-qualities essential for navigating the complexities of modern business and public sector environments. By engaging with practical case studies, experiential learning opportunities, and sector-specific projects, participants are prepared to lead change, implement best practices, and contribute meaningfully to organisational and societal outcomes. Through non-subsidised programmes, the College strengthens its partnerships with industry, professional bodies, and government institutions, whilst extending its reach to working professionals, executives, and lifelong learners who seek flexible, high-quality education. These offerings complement UJ’s broader academic portfolio, positioning the College as a leader in professional development, innovation, and knowledge transfer across South Africa and the continent. UJ Digital – Expanding CBE’s Online Learning Footprint The University of Johannesburg’s UJ Digital platform represents a transformative approach to online education, providing flexible, accessible, and industry-aligned learning opportunities across disciplines. Designed to encourage learning beyond the traditional campus setting, UJ Digital enables students, professionals, and lifelong learners to pursue accredited qualifications and short learning programmes (SLPs) entirely online, at their own pace, and from any location. By combining academic excellence with industry-aligned content and emerging technologies-including AI, IR4.0, and blockchain-these programmes equip professionals with the technical expertise, strategic insight, and leadership capabilities required to excel in dynamic, competitive environments. The CBE has four accredited online qualifications and six short learning programmes on UJ Digital. These programmes provide a continuum of learning from short, targeted skill-building courses to fully accredited degrees and diplomas, equipping learners with both theoretical knowledge and practical competencies for modern business environments. Through flexible delivery, innovative curricula, and a focus on practical application, UJ CBE ensures learners are prepared to meet current and future challenges whilst strengthening partnerships with industry, government, and 24 25 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025
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