Latest news with #IIE
IOL News
21 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Jihee Ko triumphs at iF Design Student Awards with groundbreaking project for immigrants
Jihee Ko, an IIE-Vega Pretoria alumna, has been named a winner of the iF Design Student Award 2025 – one of the world's most prestigious design competitions. Image: Supplied Jihee Ko, an alumna of IIE-Vega Pretoria, has been honoured with the coveted iF Design Student Award 2025. This prestigious accolade, recognised as one of the world's foremost design competitions for students, has spotlighted her innovative project entitled 'I'MIN - Unloading Your Visa Burden.' Selected from an impressive pool of over 7,000 submissions spanning 74 countries, Ko's concept emerged as one of just 100 noteworthy entries chosen by an international jury comprised of esteemed design and sustainability experts. I'MIN represents a forward-thinking solution designed to alleviate the obstacles associated with visa applications for immigrants seeking residence in South Africa. By amalgamating a website, mobile application, and social media platforms, Ko has developed a user-friendly and accessible guide that encompasses everything from detailed checklists to simplified instructions, all conveniently housed in one platform. Grounded in the United Nations' eighth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for 'Decent Work and Economic Growth,' Ko's project underscores the vital role that immigrants play in bolstering the South African economy. Her journey—having immigrated to South Africa in 2013—adds depth to her empathy-driven design. Currently employed as a Graphic Designer at a local marketing agency, she holds both an IIE Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and an IIE Bachelor of Arts Honours in Strategic Brand Communication from IIE-Vega Pretoria and is furthering her studies at another institution. 'As an immigrant myself, I know how overwhelming visa applications can be. The stress and uncertainty can really impact how welcomed you feel and even whether you stay. I wanted to create something that could change that experience,' Ko expressed, articulating her motivation to simplify the bureaucratic process that often burdens newcomers. The design of I'MIN features a clean and minimalist aesthetic, accentuated by inclusive illustrations and a restrained colour palette, which together convey a sense of approachability and diversity. The jury of the iF Design Awards commended Ko's initiative as 'a practical and well thought out solution which minimises the stress of visa application processes.' They highlighted the project's minimalistic yet engaging design language aimed at breaking down barriers and fostering user interaction. Following her win, Ko reflected on the significance of her achievement as a South African immigrant. 'I'm very honoured to be selected as one of the winners. I'm so grateful to IIE-Vega Pretoria and my supervisor Thlolo Modiba, who helped me with my project,' she shared, relishing her journey from design novice to award-winning creator. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ I'MIN – Unloading Your Visa Burden', aims to simplify the visa process for immigrants to South Africa through a website, app and social media platform. Image: Supplied This notable victory marks her debut in a design competition, an engagement she sought due to the absence of an entry fee—a rarity in prestigious competitions that often inhibit student participation. 'I was looking for an opportunity to enter my work, and I hoped that if I entered once, I'd gain the confidence to enter and win other award competitions,' she explained. Ko's concept emerged not only from personal experience but from thorough research, identifying the chaotic and often outdated nature of the visa application system. Her ultimate aim is to provide not just a solution but also a community platform where immigrants can lend support to one another. While initially designed to assist students with their visa applications, Ko envisions expanding I'MIN to incorporate other visa types, including work and critical skills visas in the future. The international recognition she has gained opens a plethora of opportunities, ranging from networking prospects to potential funding, with all award winners vying for a share of €50,000 in prize money. Ko hopes her narrative serves as motivation for fellow students to pursue their ideas, stating, 'If your idea can make a difference, go for it. We need more South African creatives showing their work to the world.' Lizette Carstens, Deputy Dean of Design at IIE-Vega, conveyed the institution's pride in Ko's accomplishments, noting that the inclusive and humorous nature of her project exemplifies the human-centred design philosophy IIE-Vega champions. She expressed anticipation for following Ko's career trajectory as she continues to innovate and inspire. IOL
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
IIE Vega interior design graduate rings the bell on chemo and graduation
When Hannah Carpel walked the stage at the Independent Institute of Education (IIE)-Vega Bordeaux campus' recent graduation ceremony, she wasn't just a graduate; she was a survivor. She earned her IIE Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design degree after overcoming more than most, starting her tertiary studies in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, losing her father in November 2023, and being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in June 2024. She completed her final round of chemotherapy in June 2025, ringing the bell to mark the milestone. Now in remission, Carpel is not only celebrating her health and her degree; she's celebrating the start of an exciting new chapter. 'Graduating meant everything to me. I didn't want to become a victim of circumstance. I was so close to finishing my studies, and I put in so much effort. I wasn't going to let cancer stop me. Completing my degree was something I needed to do.' Also read: IIE-Vega held an Analogue Mini Jam game day Throughout her treatment, Carpel leaned on the support of her family – both at home and at school. 'The lecturers and staff were absolutely phenomenal. After the sudden loss of my dad, the staff were a huge help. Lecturers granted me concessions and extended deadlines so that I could submit my work.' Carpel has wanted to become an interior designer since she was 12 years old. Despite having to adapt to online learning in her first year, due to Covid-19, she described her studies as thoroughly enjoyable. Looking back, she said the journey taught her more than she expected. 'I've learnt that I'm a lot tougher than I thought I was. I learnt that I have resilience and fight inside me. There were moments when I wanted to quit, to let go and let cancer take me, but quitting wasn't an option. I needed to fight back.' She advises students facing adversity to accept that things will get tough every now and again, and to set a goal, focus on a dream, and know that's what they're fighting for. To learn more about the programmes at IIE-Vega, visit Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nagaland varsity to host NE's one of four incubation centres
Dimapur: Nagaland University has been chosen to host one of the four incubation centres in the northeast under a central govt initiative. The 50 highest-performing beneficiaries will receive a startup seed money grant of up to Rs 5 lakh. The varsity was chosen under the project 'Establish, Develop, and Manage Entrepreneurship Development Centres and Incubation Centres in the Educational Institutes of the North Eastern Region'. This project is being sponsored by the North Eastern Council, Shillong, and implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati. The North Eastern Council is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the northeastern region, which consists of the eight states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The IIE is an organisation under Union ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship. Nagaland University's Kohima campus has been designated as one of the four incubation centres in the region. A total of 44 beneficiaries will be incubated in the first batch of incubatees. The 44 beneficiaries include 16 from Arunachal Pradesh, six from Assam, four from Manipur, and the remaining from Nagaland. Onboarding of the incubates will be done in July 2025, a varsity release said on Monday.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nagaland University to anchor Northeast startup ecosystem under Centre's incubation push
Nagaland University NEW DELHI: Nagaland University has been selected to host one of four incubation centres being set up across the Northeast under a central government initiative to boost entrepreneurship and innovation. As part of the project, the 50 top-performing beneficiaries will receive startup seed grants of up to Rs 5 lakh each. The initiative, 'Establish, Develop and Manage Entrepreneurship Development Centres and Incubation Centres in Educational Institutes of the North Eastern Region', is being implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati, and sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong. While the NEC serves as the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the eight northeastern states, the IIE functions under the union ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship. The Kohima campus of Nagaland University has been designated as one of the four regional incubation hubs. In its first batch, 44 beneficiaries will be onboarded this month, including 16 from Arunachal Pradesh, six from Assam, four from Manipur and 18 from Nagaland. 'This selection recognises the university's role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region,' said Prof Jagadish K Patnaik, vice-chancellor of Nagaland University. 'It reaffirms our commitment to supporting the government's vision of inclusive development through research and innovation.' The incubation centres will provide mentoring from industry experts and established entrepreneurs, along with ideathons, bootcamps, hackathons and workshops over the next six months. 'This is the first time such a structured initiative is being rolled out in the Northeast to identify and nurture entrepreneurs from even the remotest corners,' said Dhrubajyoti Bordoloi, coordinator of the incubation centre and assistant professor in the university's department of management. Across all NEC–IIE centres, 145 beneficiaries were shortlisted in FY 2024–25 after a rigorous screening process that included entrepreneurship awareness and development programmes, detailed project reports and business plan presentations assessed by industry and ministry experts. The startup ecosystem in the Northeast is steadily growing, with over 2,050 DPIIT-registered startups as of December 2024, led by Assam with 1,487 ventures. These startups have created more than 8,800 jobs, with 42% of them led by women directors. The Nagaland University incubation centre will also support resource mobilisation, convergence with other government schemes and contribute to building an entrepreneurial knowledge base through surveys and research. 'We are also introducing entrepreneurship as a subject in the academic curriculum, creating a sustainable pipeline of innovators,' said Bordoloi. Officials said the NEC–IIE incubation project dovetails into broader government skilling initiatives in the region, including pilot apprenticeship schemes and targeted vocational training under programmes like PMKVY and DDU-GKY, which aim to align education with industry needs and create livelihood opportunities.
Hans India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Nagaland University to host incubation centres in N-E under Central govt initiative
Kohima: Nagaland University, the lone Central varsity in the state, has been chosen to host one of the four incubation centres in the northeastern region under a Central government initiative, officials said on Monday. University officials said that the 50 highest-performing beneficiaries would receive a startup seed money grant of up to Rs 5 lakh. The university was chosen under the project 'Establish, Develop, and Manage Entrepreneurship Development Centres and Incubation Centres in the Educational Institutes of the North Eastern Region'. According to the official, this project is being sponsored by the Shillong-based North Eastern Council (NEC), a regional planning body, and implemented by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati. The NEC is the nodal agency for the economic and social development of the northeastern region, which consists of the eight states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura while the IIE is an organisation under the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Nagaland University's Kohima campus has been designated as one of the four incubation centres in the northeastern region, the official said, adding that a total of 44 beneficiaries would be incubated in the first batch of incubatees. The 44 beneficiaries include 16 from Arunachal Pradesh, six from Assam, four from Manipur, with the remaining 18 from Nagaland. On-boarding of the incubates would be done in July 2025. Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish K. Patnaik said that the varsity is the only Central university in the state, and has been selected to host one of the four incubation centres in the northeastern region under a prestigious Central government initiative. "This opportunity reaffirms the university's commitment to academic excellence and nation-building through innovation, research, and inclusive development. We expect to collaborate with stakeholders across academia, industry, and government to make this endeavour a resounding success," he added. Elaborating on the activities that would be taken up under this initiative, Dhrubajyoti Bordoloi, Coordinator, Entrepreneurship Development Centre and Incubation Centre, of the university, said, "Industry experts and established entrepreneurs would provide mentorship to the incubates. Workshops, ideathons, bootcamps and hackathons are contemplated for the forthcoming six months." Bordoloi, who is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management, Nagaland University, said: "The initiative is the first-of-its-kind in the northeastern region wherein potential entrepreneurs have been identified from the remotest corner of the country. Additionally, an effort has been made to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and intent among the youthful population of the state through the conduct of numerous awareness camps in various institutions and villages." The selection of the incubates was finalised in Financial Year 2024-25 through the 30 entrepreneurship development cells established under the project. A total of 145 beneficiaries were selected by the experts appointed by the nodal agency across the northeastern region, with 44 beneficiaries assigned to the Nagaland University Incubation Centre.
