IIE-Vega School students get an opportunity of a lifetime at the Intervarsity Portfolio Day at the Open Window Institute in Pretoria
IIE-Vega students Ester Terblanche, Maleakoa Lemekoane, and Kierra Theunissen participated and excelled at the Intervarsity Portfolio Day, with Terblanche winning best craft and Lemekoane and Theunissen placing in best presentation skills.
The Independent Institute of Education (IIE)-Vega School students excelled at Intervarsity Portfolio Day at the Open Window Institute in Pretoria.
Ester Terblanche took top honours for best craft, with Maleakoa Lemekoane and Kierra Theunissen placing in best presentation skills.
Read more: IIE-Vega celebrates 25 years of shaping creatives and brand leaders
This annual event was a collaboration between the University of Johannesburg, Open Window, and Greenside Design Centre. It gave students a unique ‘speed-dating’ platform to showcase their work to industry experts.
Lemekoane explained that the Intervarsity Day proved to be far more than just a competitive event.
“It was a platform for professional growth and industry insight. While the competitive element added excitement, the true value lay in the meaningful interactions with industry experts and the opportunity to receive crucial feedback on our portfolios.”
She added that the competition helped illuminate not just her strengths but also revealed areas for improvement that she now views as opportunities for growth rather than limitations.
Also read: Vega students to participate in the annual Brand Challenge
This competition wasn’t just about winning or losing; it was about preparing students for real-world challenges and opportunities in the creative sector. It provided a practical platform to understand industry standards while affirming that there’s room for diverse creative voices in the professional sphere.
“Securing second best portfolio presentation is an achievement that fills me with immense gratitude. It is particularly meaningful given the challenging circumstances under which I had to present my work.”
For Theunissen participating in the portfolio day was an unforgettable experience. She explained that it wasn’t about striving for awards, but about her personal growth.
“I viewed it as a chance to receive valuable feedback on my portfolio, connect with industry professionals, and create opportunities for my future. Simply being part of this event felt like a victory in itself.”
She added that when she heard her name called for third place in presentation skills, she was taken aback. “It was a complete surprise to me. Presentation skills had always been a challenge, since I used to be too nervous to speak or share my voice. Standing there as one of the top presenters wasn’t just an achievement; it was a testament to how far I’ve come, not only in my degree but also in life.”
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