North-West University: NWU’s Vanderbijlpark Campus honours administrative professionals
The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus recently celebrated Administrative Professionals’ Day 2022 in recognition of the important contribution that administrative professionals make each year in the workplace.
The event held at the Small Lapa saw secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals from the different faculties, departments and divisions being treated to a full breakfast.
Prof Linda Du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, says the university appreciates all administrative professionals and the hard work they do.
“During the pandemic, many of them were instrumental to the teams they support, and even though under pressure, they tackled new challenges with grace while also helping fellow employees stay connected and productive.
“We want to thank these staff members for all their support throughout the year, and this is just a small gesture to show appreciation for all they do. They keep the NWU functioning efficiently, and in many cases, they function as the right hands of busy executives who wouldn’t be able to perform their jobs without them,” she adds.
About Administrative Professionals’ Day
According to www.nationaltoday.com, the day which is observed worldwide originally came about in 1952 as “National Secretaries Week”. It was initiated by the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals: IAAP), in conjunction with public relations executive Harry Klemfuss and a consortium of office product manufacturers.
In the year 2000, IAAP changed the name Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to include other administrative job titles.
In South Africa, the day is observed on the first Wednesday in September. This date was established by the Executive Secretaries Club of South Africa (ECSA) and Kelly Girl 25 years ago.