2014

MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

P. Bag 9055
Gweru
Zimbabwe

Telephone (263) 54 260404/260337/260667

Fax
(263) 54 260233/260311

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Department of Computer Science & Information Systems

Work Related Learning

Employers Booklet

REG. NUMBER: _________________

STUDENTS NAME: _______________________
PROGRAMME:

HCSC / HINFO
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Contents

Section

Introduction

University Vision

University Mission Statement

Work Related Learning

Faculty of Science General Regulations for Work Related Learning

Tutor / Lecturer visits

Booklet

Assessment

1st Appendix Employers student assessment form

2nd Appendix Placement Review Sheet-Scale Definitions

References:
The Chairperson: Computer Science and Information Systems
Mrs T. G. Zhou
Tel : (263 54 260409 ext 2162)
Email: gwanzurat@msu.ac.zw
The Coordinators WRL: Computer Science and Information Systems
Mrs A.N. Mutembedza
Tel: (263 54 260409 ext 2163)
Email: mavhungaa@msu.ac.zw
Mr T.G. Rebanowako
Tel: (263 54 260409 ext 2163)
Email: rebanowakot@msu.ac.zw
Mr P. Mamboko
Tel: (263 54 260409 ext 2390)
Email: mambokop@msu.ac.zw
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1.0 Introduction
The Midlands State University was established by an act of parliament (Act Number 4
of 1999). It is located in Gweru in the Midlands Province.

2.0 University Vision

To be unique, development oriented and a pace setting university, producing
innovative and enterprising graduates.

To achieve this vision the university has established several facilities of which one is
the Faculty of Science. This faculty consists of the following departments:
Biological Sciences, Chemical Technology, Computer Science and Information
Systems, Home Economics, Survey and Geomatics, Mathematics and Physics

3.0 University Mission Statement

Devotion to quality research and training through flexible packaging and work related
learning for the immediate and ultimate benefit of humanity
Perpetually seek to enhance the quality of peoples lives through new ideas and skills
for sustainable utilization of resources

4.0 Work Related Learning (WRL)

In line with the mission statement, all undergraduate program at the Midlands State
University aim to enhance both the management of education and the employability
of our students through work related training. The training period is for a minimum
duration of 45 working weeks (excluding holidays), commencing in January or

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August. We need your help to form a partnership for the joint supervision of the
students performance during the period of work related learning.

Work related learning is viewed as one of the most important requirements that must
be fulfilled by the student to be able to pass any of the degree programs offered by
the Faculty of Science.

4.1 Work Related Learning Objectives

During work related learning the student must pursue the following
objectives

Apply theory into practice in an industrial set up

Accumulate industry theory outside that covered in the university programs

curriculum.

Carry out research activities, which will benefit the industry and university.

Develop a liaison between industry and the university

Have hands on working experience

5.0 Faculty of Science General Regulations for WRL

The university faculty of science has stipulated the following regulations for
students on attachment

The student is subject to the University and the Organization regulations

during the work related learning period of attachment

The student must conform to the organization of attachments regulations,

working time and discipline

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The student must fulfill the external supervisors instructions concerning the
training process and the carrying out of the industrial research project

The student must write a log book on a daily basis and submit a report after
finishing the training in a given department (or training unit)

The student must take part only with educational purpose in mind according
to the ultimate instructions of the supervisor

The student must put the best effort to acquire extensive knowledge and
skills in order to achieve required standard of training

The student must keep good relations with all staff of the organization

The student must promote the good of the University

The student must always bear in mind that his/her conduct

during WRL will reflect not only on him/her but also on the
university and that it may also affect the relationship between
the University and the Organization.
During the placement period, students aim to develop their intellectual and practical
skills. The emphasis is on the practical application, evaluation and enhanced
appreciation of theories, issues and techniques learned at the University. We rely
upon employers to provide work experience compatible with the students level of
knowledge, experience and expectations.

6.0 Tutor/Lecturer Visits

A Tutor/Lecturer (a member of the academic staff at the University) will visit the
Organization at least twice during the year. During the visit, the tutor will talk both to
the student and the external supervisor assigned by the employing organization.

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6.1 Purpose
The purpose of the visits is

To maintain contact with all parties and certify the University that the work
being undertaken is appropriate

To assess whether the student is making an effective contribution to the

organization

7.0 Booklet
This booklet serves 2 purposes, which are

To set out the procedures that may be followed to train one or more of our
students on WRL

To provide you with external supervisor assessment forms which you are
expected to complete during the training period

The objectives of these procedures and forms are

To provide you with a way of monitoring the students performance and

progress

To provide us with your views on the students performance and progress

8.0 Assessment
The student is assessed by both the University (internal supervisor) and the
Organization (external supervisor)

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8.1 Assessment Requirements

For complete assessment the following reports are required
1) One student work report
2) Two employers (external supervisor) student assessment reports
3) Two visiting tutors (internal supervisor) student assessment reports

8.2 Assessment Schedule

The period of attachment is at least 45 working weeks (excluding holidays). The
student should be aware of the procedure of assessment and the due dates.

Form of Assessment
Assessment by Tutor

Date
March to May

Assessment by employer
Assessment by Tutor
Assessment by Tutor

July to August
October to November

Assessment by employer

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EMPLOYERS STUDENT ASSESSMENT FORM

1.0 Program Outline
The following schedule outlines the proposed program of training, which the student
will follow during his/her first period from the students starting date of employment.
Department/Functional

Proposed Training

Area

Approximate Time Span

Of Training

2.0 Review Sheet 1

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Reg Number:______________ Student Name

Period of review: First 5 months
On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the lowest and 5 the highest score) please asses the
progress and ability shown to date. For guidance on completion, please refer to the
scale definitions. We recognize that some of the criteria below may not apply at this
early stage so please write not applicable (N/A) if this is the case.
Area of Assessment

Rankings

Development Of Business Competencies

1. Demonstrates effective verbal skills
2. Demonstrates effective written skills
3. Displays effective meeting skills
4. Makes decisions based on analysis/facts
5. Plans, priorities and tracks activities/tasks
6. Effectively manages use of time
7. Speed/accuracy of work

Development Of Interpersonal Skills

8. Listens effectively and is sensitive to the needs of others
9. Is candid and direct in construction
10. Addresses and resolves conflict in a constructive manner
11. Shares responsibility for all aspects of team performance
12. Influences or negotiates in a manner that gains acceptance
13. Shows motivation, initiative and pro-activeness
14. Is resilient and consistent in the face of challenges
15. Displays a willingness to accept/act on feedback received

Development Of Leadership
16. Demonstrates the ability to manage whole projects
17. Understands and responds to the needs of customers
18. Seeks to improve work-related processes and documents

appropriately

General Conduct And Behavior

19. Ability to learn
20. Interest shown and sustained
21. Reliability
22. Confidence
23. Conduct

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Development of Technical/Administrative skills

24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.

Level of technical understanding

Troubleshooting skills
Fault diagnosis and fault reporting skills
Ability to communicate with people at different levels
Demonstration of good leadership qualities
Ability to give/follow technical instructions

Supervisors Signature:

Date:

Stamp:

3.0 Areas for Improvement

In order to maintain the students progress more effectively, it would be useful if
areas/skills where development is desirable or beneficial could be noted. It may be
that the student is making excellent progress and there are a few, if any areas which
require taking note of.

Areas of Improvement:

Any Other Comments/Recommendations:

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Supervisors Signature:

4.0 Review Sheet 2

Reg Number:_____________

Date:

Student Name

Period of review: Last 5 months

On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the lowest and 5 the highest score) please assess the
progress and ability shown to date. For guidance on completion, please refer to the
scale definitions. Write not applicable (N/A) in the case of irrelevance.
Area of Assessment

Rankings

Development Of Business Competencies

1. Demonstrates effective verbal skills
2. Demonstrates effective written skills
3. Displays effective meeting skills
4. Makes decisions based on analysis/facts
5. Plans, priorities and tracks activities/tasks
6. Effectively manages use of time
7. Speed/accuracy of work

Development Of Interpersonal Skills

8. Listens effectively and is sensitive to the needs of others
9. Is candid and direct in construction
10. Addresses and resolves conflict in a constructive manner
11. Shares responsibility for all aspects of team performance
12. Influences or negotiates in a manner that gains acceptance
13. Shows motivation, initiative and pro-activeness

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14. Is resilient and consistent in the face of challenges and

change
15. Displays a willingness to accept/act on feedback received

Development Of Leadership
16. Demonstrates the ability to manage whole projects
17. Understands and responds to the needs of customers
18. Seeks to improve work-related processes and documents

General Conduct And Behavior

19. Ability to learn
20. Interest shown and sustained
21. Reliability
22. Confidence
23. Conduct

Development of Technical/Administrative skills

appropriately

24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.

Level of technical understanding

Troubleshooting skills
Fault diagnosis and fault reporting skills
Ability to communicate with people at different levels
Demonstration of good leadership qualities
Ability to give/follow technical instructions

Supervisors Signature:

Date:

Stamp:

WORK RELATED LEARNING PLACEMENT REVIEW SHEET-SCALE

DEFINATIUONS
Please complete the Work Related Placement Sheet by using the scale definitions,
left hand to right end ,ranging from 1-5 (left hand end 1..5 right hand end).
Development of business competencies

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1. Verbal Communication - consider the individuals ability to express

ideas/data etc effectively

Unable to present ideas and makes little impact. Is insufficiently prepared. Is confused
by unnecessary data or ambiguity. (1)
Demonstrates ability to communicate information fluently and with confidence. Style is
appropriately to the situation. Ideas and facts presented logically. Commands attention
(5)

2. Written Communication - written work influences key decisions.

Consider the individuals ability to express ideas clearly and
concisely.

Meaning becomes lost in lengthy text. Unable to assemble ideas logically and clearly.
Confuses the reader. Untidy presentation.
Focuses on the key images. Presents data or decision requirements clearly and concisely.
Skills or style convincing to others.

3. Meeting Skills consider the individuals preparation, contribution

and participation .Willingness to influence and be influenced. Ability
to facilitate.

Does not play an active role. Contributes little. Often disruptive. Does not work to achieve
consensus.
Actively participates in any role. Shares responsibility for facilitation. Where applicable
contributes to issues\agenda

4. Decision Making secures relevant and factual information. Relates

and contrasts data from different sources .Develops alternative
options. Does not let personal motives influence judgment .Takes
timely and appropriate action.

Had difficulties in identifying the root cause of a problem. Fails to investigate appropriate
date .Slow to react. Lacks confidence in own judgment.
Quickly identifies issues. Gathers and evaluates relevant factual data. Generates option.
Demonstrates sound decision making based on rational and unbiased judgment. Timely
implementation of action.

5. Planning and Tracking Systematically structures plans workload.

Establishes control mechanisms. Monitors progress.

Unstructured approach to personal work. Not heedful of planning or control systems. Unable
to prioritize tasks effectively.
Structures and plans personal work. Anticipates problems and develops contingencies.
Identifies key milestones. Tracks and monitors progress against deadlines.

6. Time management ability to understand and work to key objectives

and tasks. Effective use of own other resources.

Confused priorities. Becomes distracted by side issues. May over commit. Poor punctuality.
Clear understanding of objectives. Excellent self management. Identifies opportunities to
utilize other resources. Ability to manage challenging workload.

7. Speed of Work and Accuracy

Very slow to produce work. Tendency to be inaccurate

Very quick, accurate turnover of work

Development of Interpersonal Skills

8. Effective Listening Does the individual listen and respond
appropriately to the views of others?

Fails to listen to or act upon the views of others. Frequently interrupts.

Listens effectively to the views of others and responds with empathy .Frequently
demonstrates understanding, summarizes and clarifies verbal communications.

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9. Candid and Direct enables a free exchange of information. Is open

and fosters an environment of trust.

Avoids giving feedback, withholds information and prevents a free exchange of ideas
Is consistent and approachable. Provides honest feedback in a constructive and positive
manner. Freely shares thoughts and information.

10.Conflict Resolution Ability to work to reach consensus. Looks for

common goals. Seeks win/win situations.

Over reacts. Inability to compromise when faced with difficult decisions and expertise.
Frequently cynical and unhelpful.
Prepared to accept personal consequences in difficult decisions. Works hard to achieve
consensus. Responds constructively when conflicts arise.

11.Teamwork Recognition of the importance of teamwork both within

own and across functional groups to the achievement of corporate
goals.

Narrow outlook. Displays reluctance to participate or expertise. Frequently cynical and

unhelpful.
Initiates and maintains working relations across functions and groups. Respected and
effective team member who displays an ability to work with others.

12.Negotiation /Influencing consider the appropriateness of the

methods used by the individual to gain agreement to or acceptance of
an idea.

Not prepared or unable to promote ideas with others. Makes no attempt to seek common
ground or to propose ideas in a manner that gains agreement.
Prepared to create and communicate ideas. Prepared to be flexible and creative to reach
consensus. Gains acceptance and commitment from others.

13.Motivation and Initiative - Consider the individual's inclination to be

proactive to achieve goals.

Fails to take ownership for action. Waits until instructed. Often misses deadlines.
Demonstrates little initiative or forward thinking.
Actively attempts to influence events to achieve goals, often beyond what is necessarily
called for. A self starter. Does not need to be told to tackle issues.

14.Reaction to Change - Ability to remain resilient when challenged with

personal change. Ability to maintain effectiveness in varying
environments.

Refuses to adapt to change. Often becomes a disruptive element. Unwilling to respond to

new situations /ideas.
Highly adaptable. Able to maintain effectiveness in changing environment and varying tasks.

15.Ability to accept feedback

Unwilling to accept feedback, responds negatively, refuses to act on recommendations

Actively seeks feedback, responds positively and acts on recommendations.

Development of leadership through quality skills

16.Project Management -Ability to handle all aspects of a project and to
see it through from beginning to end

Unwilling / unable to accept responsibility for project, often needs prompting and misses
deadlines.
Accepts the responsibility of a project and ensures that every aspect of it is completed in
a timely manner.

17.Customer awareness-Is focused on understanding and responding to

the needs of customers.

Fails to seek input from customers. Rarely meets requirements.

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Identifies with and seeks to achieve customer satisfaction as number one priority of the
organization. Customers recognize contribution.

18.Work process improvement - All major processes documented. Efforts

made to continually improve process deliverables.

May lack a complete understanding of major work processes. Makes no effort to

understand or refine them. Has no documentation to support processes.
Continually seeks to improve processes using personal initiatives, teamwork and quality
tools. Displays unfailing enthusiasm to constantly seek improvements. All major
processes documented.

General conduct and behavior

19.Ability to learn

Is very slow to grasp the elements of the work.

Is quick to learn, demonstrates a good level of understanding.

20.Interest

Lacks enthusiasm, generally uninterested and de-motivated.

Is very keen, enthusiastic and interested.

21.Reliability

Totally unreliable. A tendency to be irresponsible.

Demonstrates dependability. Encourages trust.

22.Confidence

Lacks confidence, is shy and timid.

Shows a high degree of confidence.

23.Conduct

Does not create a professional image. Can be troublesome. Can be a bad timekeeper.
Creates a professional image. Behaves well, is respected and respectful.

Development of technical/ administrative skills.

24. Level of technical understanding

Demonstrates an inadequate understanding of the technicalities of the job. Makes little or no

effort to expand on personal skills and knowledge base.
Demonstrates an excellent command of the technicalities of the job. Continually makes effort to
improve personal skills and knowledge base.

25. Troubleshooting skills

Demonstrates very poor and inefficient troubleshooting skills.

Demonstrates very good and efficient troubleshooting skills.

26. Fault diagnosis and fault reporting skills

Has great difficulty in fault diagnosis and fault reporting.

Has very good fault diagnosis and fault reporting skills.

27. Ability to communicate with people at different levels

Faces great difficulty in communicating solutions to people at different levels.

Is very good at communicating solutions to people at different levels.

28. Demonstration of good leadership qualities

Does not possess any leadership qualities.

Demonstrates very good leadership qualities.

29. Ability to give/follow technical instructions

Has great difficulty in demonstrating ability to give/follow technical instructions.

Has demonstrated a very high degree of ability to give/follow technical instructions.

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