Biotechnology and Food Technology students at the University of Johannesburg can gain valuable extended work experience through the university’s Work-Integrated Learning program with students completing a 12 month work placement as part of their studies.
The program gives students the opportunity to take their academic knowledge beyond the classroom and into the workplace.
For a student looking to prepare for a scientific, lab-based or food and biotechnology-related career, the workplace experience can give valuable insight into how a student’s academic studies translate to actual job environment.
But there is an important requirement that students should be aware of before accepting or beginning a WIL placement: The WIL period must be formally registered with UJ before the student begins the placement.
UJ WIL program at a glance
Detail Information
Institution University of Johannesburg
Faculty Faculty of Science
Department Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology
Programme Work-Integrated Learning
Relevant students Biotechnology and Food Technology students
WIL period 12 months
Registration WIL must be formally registered before placement
Proof of registration WIL should appear on the student’s proof of registration
Main purpose Practical workspace training linked to academic studies
WIL contact listed by UJ Ms Berta Norman
Telephone 011 559 9257
Location listed DFC John Orr Building
What is WIL and why is it valuable?
Work-Integrated Learning aims to bridge academic studies with workplace experience.
For a student studying a technical or scientific discipline, WIL can mean getting to apply the procedures, conventions, documentation and communication processes which are standard in the industry.
WIL therefore holds significantly more value than simply another academic assignment for students to complete. Students get the chance to develop a practical understanding of how their academic knowledge and skills can be applied in a working environment.
WIL experience can be particularly valuable for Biotechnology and Food Technology students, given the practical nature of both fields of study.
What students is the program applicable to?
The information provided relates specifically to students in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology.
The department offers qualifications in the fields of biotechnology and food technology with training geared towards scientific, technical, industrial and research-related fields.
Students should not assume that the same WIL provisions apply to all UJ programs. The requirements described here apply specifically to the Biotechnology and Food Technology department, so students from other faculties or departments should refer to their own WIL provisions with UJ.
Students must register before starting WIL
Perhaps the most important consideration for students is the difference between finding a work placement and having the placement confirmed as an official UJ WIL.
According to the university’s information, students must be formally registered for WIL before starting the work placement.
WIL should appear on the student’s proof of registration. Students should also ensure that they are registered for the appropriate practical-training period, if applicable.
This means a student should not secure an internship and immediately begin working, without first confirming the necessary university provisions.
Why this matters
A placement that begins before the necessary university registration requirements have been met may be invalidated as the student’s official WIL.
For a student who is relying on the workplace period to fulfil academic requirements, this could be a potentially serious issue.
The best practice is for a student to confirm the registration status with the relevant UJ department before beginning the workplace period.
WIL can last 12 months
UJ’s information indicates a 12 month WIL for both biotechnology and food technology students.
An extended placement period gives students the opportunity to become more familiar with a professional working environment and apply the knowledge they have gained at university.
It also allows students to develop workplace habits that are often difficult to cultivate within the university environment, like professional communication, team working, time management and adapting to industry conventions.
The specific experience will depend on the placement and the field of study specialisation.
What could students learn during workplace exposure?
WIL placements can vary depending on the hosting organisation and the area of specialisation of the student.
WIL for Biotechnology and Food Technology students could cover the following areas:
Laboratory-based work and testing
Scientific and technical procedures
Food quality and safety
Microbiological or biochemical analysis
Quality assurance and quality control
Research-related activities
Technical record keeping and documentation
Workplace health and safety
Professional communication
Team-based problem solving
Students should understand these as possible areas of work experience rather than a guaranteed list of duties for every UJ WIL student.
The conditions of the placement, academic requirements and the student’s field of specialisation will affect what practical experience they are able to gain.
From theoretical knowledge to workplace skills
One of the key advantages of WIL is the opportunity to observe how theoretical knowledge is applied in a professional setting.
For example, a student may have completed laboratory-based studies at university, but the workplace experience provides them with a new perspective by observing how technical procedures are organised, documented and executed in the professional environment.
Food Technology students may find themselves exposed to food industry environments where quality and food safety procedures are a priority, whereas Biotechnology students may find WIL placements related to laboratory or research activities.
The experience can give students clarity on the practical aspect of their future career.
WIL is not the same as an ordinary internship
Students need to be aware of the difference between an ordinary internship and WIL.
An ordinary internship can be facilitated between a student and an employer independently. UJ WIL, by contrast, is part of the student’s academic program and has registration requirements.
This distinction is significant because simply securing a workplace position does not automatically mean the university will recognise the period as a WIL.
Students therefore need to follow the university’s procedures rather than relying on an employer’s confirmation that they are eligible for a WIL placement.
Practical checklist for UJ students
Before beginning a WIL, students need to confirm a number of points
- Eligibility
Confirm that they are eligible for WIL according to their particular program
- Registration
Complete the necessary UJ WIL registration before starting the workplace period
- Proof of registration
Make sure that WIL appears on the proof of registration
- Correct practical-training period
Where applicable, confirm that the appropriate practical training component has been registered
- University procedures
Follow the documentation and requirements of the department
- Placement recognition
Confirm that the workplace period will be recognised by the university before beginning the placement
These points can help prevent students completing a workplace period that does not count towards their academic requirements.
Who should students contact?
The supplied UJ information lists Ms Berta Norman, Administrative Assistant and WIL Coordinator, as a contact for the program.
The listed telephone number is
011 559 9257
The information also lists the DFC John Orr building as the location of the office.
As university contacts and procedures can change, students should confirm the contact details for the program on the university’s website.
University of Johannesburg – Work-Integrated Learning
A valuable bridge between university and employment
For students in the fields of Biotechnology and Food Technology, WIL can provide a vital bridge between academic studies and employment.
A 12-month workplace period gives students ample time to observe the conventions of a professional working environment, apply the knowledge gained at university and develop a more concrete perspective on their field of specialisation.
But the administrative requirements are just as important as the work experience itself. Students should complete the necessary WIL registration with UJ before starting their placement, rather than assuming that an independently-arranged internship will automatically qualify.
For students entering the practical training period, confirming the WIL requirements can help avoid unnecessary complications and ensure that the experience contributes towards the intended academic outcome.
Source
Primary source: University of Johannesburg, Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Work-Integrated Learning information
Read the official UJ WIL information
Editorial policy
This article was independently written using information from the University of Johannesburg’s WIL information as the primary factual source. The article aims to provide a clear explanation of the program and practical context for South African students.
We do not add unverified application requirements, salaries, stipends, employment guarantees or placement conditions. Areas of practical experience are described as possible examples rather than a guaranteed list of duties for all participants.
Corrections policy
We are committed to correcting factual errors when they are identified. Where a published detail is found to be inaccurate or outdated, we will verify it with the relevant official source and update the article where appropriate.
Readers who identify a factual error are encouraged to contact the publication with the relevant supporting information.
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational and career-information purposes. University programs, registration procedures, contacts and requirements may change.
Students should confirm their individual WIL requirements directly with the University of Johannesburg prior to accepting or starting a placement period.
Most importantly, students should not begin a WIL placement prior to confirming that they have completed any necessary university registration and that the WIL period will be officially recognised.
