24 January 2024

Students, academic institutions recognised for excellence Kathy Gibson reports – Huawei South Africa has recognised student excellence in its ICT Talent Development Annual Awards ceremony 2023.   The Huawei South Africa ICT Academy is one of the company’s most prestigious skills development programmes, partnering with 71 universities and TVET colleges. The academy aims to contribute to identifying, training and certifying talent across the country. Noluthando Madzivhe, talent development manager at Huawei South Africa, explains that Huawei provides course accreditation, instructor enablement and learning resources to the universities and colleges. Students come out of the programme with certification, practical experience and job opportunities. In 2023, three new institutions were added to the programme, brining the total to 71. Kain Chen, deputy-CEO of Huawei South Africa, points out that ICT is transforming the world, changing the way we live and improving productivity. “This cannot be achieved without a consistent talent supply,” he says. Digital know-how needs to be across three levels, he says: we need to promote digital literacy among ordinary citizens; we need to develop digital talent pools; and we need to enable key decision-makers to better use digital tools.   Huawei has launched a number of ICT talent development programmes to help meet these goals, with the ICT Academy its instrument for building a talent pool of youth. “We have made good progress,” Chen says. “Today, more than 71 academic institutions have enrolled in the programme, with more than 3 000 students attaining certification. Zamokwakhe Khuzwayo, CEO of National Skills Authority of the Department of Higher Education and Training, sounds a warning that South Africa stands in danger of being left behind in the fourth industrial revolution, as the world moves ever faster on the digitalisation road. Delivering a speech on behalf of higher education minister Blade Nzimande, Khuzwayo says the awards symbolise the transformative power of education and the power that lies in each of us. “The South African constitution challenges us to bring out the great potential in each of us,” he says. “And these awards serve as a remind that collaboration and shared vision, we can overcome any challenges and achieve greatness.” At the ICT Talent Development Annual Awards ceremony 2023, the following accolades were awarded: Excellent ICT Academies: Majuba TVET College, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), University of Venda, Walter Sisulu University; and Durban University of Technology (DUT). Excellent ICT Academy Instructor: Eloge Ngole (DUT); Waldon Hendricks (CPUT); Starleen Mangozho (Majuba TVET College); Thembilihle Hlase, the Graduate Institute of South Africa); Thapelo Gift Makondo, Tshwane North TVET College). Excellent ICT Acamdy Ambassador Club: Warda Sheikh and Tembela Sopazi (Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology); Nyasha Keith Matevengwe and Ilunga Lolekondo (CPUT); Makgata Welcome and Mzolo Thabiso (South West Gauteng TVET College). Winners of ICT competition finals include: ICT Competition 2023-2024 National Finals – prizes for excellence: Muhammad Shaahid and Lebo Motaung (Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology); Seotsanyana Retshidistswe and Edwin Taruvinga (CPUT); Lindiwe Molefe and Nkateko (Tshwane University of Technology); Botlhale Tsatsi (North West University); Tebogo Mashiane (University of Johannesburg); and William Mathebe (University of Limpopo). ICT Competition 2023-2024 National Finals – second prizes: Frans Nhlapho (South West Gauteng TVET Collee); Felicia Maake (University of Limpopo); Singethwe Mzila (DUT); Sandiswe Msibi (University of Pretoria); and Martin Maboya (CPUT). ICT Competition 2023-2024 National Finals – first prizes: Sphephelo Gamede (Tshwane University of Technology); Sergio Elias (University of Johannesburg); Mthetho Nzimande (DUT); and Dickson Hove (Tshwane University of Technology). ICT Competition 2023-2024 National Finals – grand prize winners: Koketso Ntsoane (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University); Kamohelo Mototo (Belgium Campus University); and Caster Matsimbi (Tshwane University of Technology). Grand prize winner Kamohelo Mototo (Belgium Campus iTversity)

Record-Breaking Matric Results In 2023 – But Does It Position Matriculants For It Careers? Johannesburg 19 January 2024 In Thursday’s announcement, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga revealed the 2023 matric results, showcasing an impressive pass rate of 82.9%. This marks a continued upward trend in National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rates over the past decade, with the percentage increasing from 60% in 2009 to the current 82.9%. Despite facing unprecedented challenges such as Covid-19, the matric class of 2023 demonstrated resilience and determination and are to be resoundingly congratulated. While celebrating the impressive pass rates, it is crucial to conduct further analysis to ensure that the subjects passed equip graduates for careers in emerging fields such as Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence. This positive momentum in South Africa’s education system lays the foundation for a brighter future, emphasising the importance of continued efforts to enhance both access and quality in education. One of the major tools and enablers of adaptation is the ICT, AI and Big Data complex, core of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This is the driving force behind a lot of new development, decision making and economic activities. It is the driver behind the development of the new careers that this generation of matriculants will find are opening up, including the culture and entertainment industries. In the context of South Africa’s journey towards a modern 4IR economy, it is imperative that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects assume a central role in the nation’s public education system. The 2023 matric results, with their commendable pass rates, underscore the importance of fostering a strong foundation in STEM disciplines. As industries evolve and technology becomes increasingly integral to every aspect of our lives, prioritising STEM education becomes synonymous with preparing the youth for the demands of the future workforce. Encouraging a robust emphasis on STEM subjects will not only empower students with the necessary skills for 4IR but also position South Africa as a global contender in the rapidly advancing fields of technology, innovation, and scientific discovery. A strategic focus on STEM education is a crucial step in ensuring the country’s sustained growth and competitiveness in the dynamic global economic landscape. It’s no secret that there is a global ICT talent deficit that is having a severe impact on the global economy. According to research conducted by global organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry, there will be a global human talent shortage of more than 85 million people by 2030. Unchecked, this talent shortage could result in about US$8.5 trillion in unrealised annual revenue. Looking closer to home, South Africa currently has a skills shortage of between 20,000 and 70,000 high-end ICT professionals. This comes notwithstanding the country’s high unemployment rate, whereby according to Statista, South Africa is expected to register the highest unemployment rate in Africa in 2024, with around 30 percent of the country’s labour force being unemployed. The global skills shortage puts South Africa at further risk of losing skilled professionals to developed countries trying to compensate for their own shortfalls, meaning that even more professionals will be required to bridge the gap in the country. With the above in mind, closing the skills gap is the difference between having a recession or a growing economy. We cannot expect to be able to close the skills gap if we are not producing high-school graduates who are meeting the standard necessary to pursue ICT at a higher education level. Reducing the pass rate means that many students will receive a bachelor endorsement on paper but still not have the necessary marks to pursue a bachelor’s degree. This is not only a disservice to the country’s youth and what they strive for but also the future of our country.   About Belgium Campus iTversity NPC Belgium Campus is a South Africa-based pioneering ITversity in South Africa that helps raise the bar in private education in the ICT industry. The higher education institution collaborates with the industry to provide students with the financial support necessary to forge successful futures. Well-established and renowned, it has campuses in Pretoria & Kempton Park. Its success stems from a Participative Development Model of Education which accounts for the needs of students, industry, academia, government, and society alike, resulting in demand-driven, student-centred, and business-focused higher learning. Jan Mentz, academic dean of Belgium Campus ITVersity For more information contact: Lunice Johnston Communications Lunice Johnston Mobile: +27 82 824 6384 

Belgium Campus is the first higher education institution in the country to offer a dedicated Bachelor’s degree and IT diploma for deaf students. Pictured are the first six deaf students to graduate with their Bachelor of Information Technology degrees. Photo: Supplied Belgium Campus iTversity welcomes recognition of SA Sign Language as 12th official language Belgium Campus iTversity welcomes the recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language in the country. Campus’ Chief Executive Education, Dr Jannie Zaaiman explains that Belgium Campus endorses the adoption of the Constitution Eighteenth Amendment Bill (B1 – 2023) to amend section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to make SASL the 12th official language of the country. “Belgium Campus believes everyone should receive an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams and ambitions. The institution makes these courses accessible to deaf students by providing SASL interpreters throughout each course and limiting the class sizes to ensure each student gets dedicated time and attention,” he says. Deaf students are a focus of Belgium Campus and it recently graduated six deaf students in its Bachelor of Information Technology programme. Zaaiman says that Belgium Campus began work with deaf students some years back to promote the rights of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. “The recognition of the SASL as the 12th official language is a major step forward for deaf students. It implies that for teaching and learning purposes, the language will be allocated equitable resources, thereby levelling the playing field,” Zaaiman says. He notes that Belgium Campus is also currently developing a technical deaf dictionary – which will further open the doors to deaf students entering the IT economy. Belgium Campus iTversity was established in 1999 to address South Africa’s widening skills gap and to ensure that all graduates would be employable in an evolving economic environment, “by nurturing the IT industry’s next great minds”. Its goal is one of ensuring that all graduates – whether with a hearing disability or otherwise – would be employable in an evolving economic environment. The goal was to promote innovation, forward-thinking and aspirations in students to shape the future of society. “We are the first higher education institution in the country to offer a dedicated Bachelor’s degree and IT diploma for deaf students.” For 23 years, Belgium Campus iTversity has contributed to the growth of the South African economy by providing well-rounded graduates whose knowledge, skills and attitudes make them future-fit and immediately employable. It has been affording deaf students the opportunity to pursue IT qualifications since 2015, at which time the institution only had eight deaf students. The institution’s deaf community continues to grow and today it is proud to have more than 30 deaf students pursuing qualifications. “We have also made provision to allow students with other disabilities, long-term medical conditions, or special needs to complete their IT studies with us. This allows us to breathe life into the tremendous talents and business concepts of often marginalised groups within society. “Our success stems from our adoption of a proactive Participative Development Model of Education. It considers the needs of all stakeholders (students, industry, academia, government and society), resulting in demand-driven, student-centred and business-focused higher learning.” About Belgium Campus iTversity NPC Belgium Campus is a South Africa-based pioneering iTversity in South Africa that helps raise the bar in private education in the ICT industry. Its focus is on developing leading qualifications and maintaining impeccable academic standards to provide students with the foundations necessary to excel in the information technology industry.  Brandstories  

Matric 2023 – Does It Position Matriculants For IT Careers? In Thursday’s announcement, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga revealed the 2023 matric results, showcasing an impressive pass rate of 82.9%. This marks a continued upward trend in National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass rates over the past decade, with the percentage increasing from 60% in 2009 to the current 82.9%. Despite facing unprecedented challenges such as COVID-19, the matric class of 2023 demonstrated resilience and determination and is to be resoundingly congratulated. The 2023 pass rate While celebrating the impressive pass rates, it is crucial to conduct further analysis to ensure that the subjects passed equip graduates for careers in emerging fields such as Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence. This positive momentum in South Africa’s education system lays the foundation for a brighter future, emphasising the importance of continued efforts to enhance both access and quality in education. One of the major tools and enablers of adaptation is the ICT, AI, and Big Data complex, the core of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). This is the driving force behind a lot of new development, decision-making, and economic activities. It is the driver behind the development of the new careers that this generation of matriculants will find opening up, including the culture and entertainment industries. STEM Education In the context of South Africa’s journey towards a modern 4IR economy, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects must assume a central role in the nation’s public education system. The 2023 matric results, with their commendable pass rates, underscore the importance of fostering a strong foundation in STEM disciplines. As industries evolve and technology becomes increasingly integral to every aspect of our lives, prioritising STEM education becomes synonymous with preparing the youth for the demands of the future workforce. Encouraging a robust emphasis on STEM subjects will not only empower students with the necessary skills for 4IR but also position South Africa as a global contender in the rapidly advancing fields of technology, innovation, and scientific discovery. A strategic focus on STEM education is a crucial step in ensuring the country’s sustained growth and competitiveness in the dynamic global economic landscape. The global ICT talent deficit It’s no secret that there is a global ICT talent deficit that is having a severe impact on the global economy. According to research conducted by global organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry, there will be a global human talent shortage of more than 85 million people by 2030. Unchecked, this talent shortage could result in about US$8.5 trillion in unrealised annual revenue. Looking closer to home, South Africa currently has a skills shortage of between 20,000 and 70,000 high-end ICT professionals. This comes notwithstanding the country’s high unemployment rate, whereby according to Statista, South Africa is expected to register the highest unemployment rate in Africa in 2024, with around 30 percent of the country’s labour force being unemployed. The global skills shortage puts South Africa at further risk of losing skilled professionals to developed countries trying to compensate for their shortfalls, meaning that even more professionals will be required to bridge the gap in the country. With the above in mind, closing the skills gap is the difference between having a recession or a growing economy. We cannot expect to be able to close the skills gap if we are not producing high-school graduates who are meeting the standard necessary to pursue ICT at a higher education level. Reducing the pass rate means that many students will receive a bachelor’s endorsement on paper but still not have the necessary marks to pursue a bachelor’s degree. This is not only a disservice to the country’s youth and what they strive for but also to the future of our country. Belgium Campus is a South Africa-based pioneering ITversity in South Africa that helps raise the bar in private education in the ICT industry. Woman on TopInspiration on the Go