Belgium Campus iTversity Helps Shape BRICS+ Skills Development and Innovation
Belgium Campus iTversity continues to play a leading role in advancing skills development, applied technology, and innovation across BRICS+ nations through its ongoing involvement in the BRICS Business Council’s Skills Development, Applied Technology, and Innovation Working Group. Since joining the initiative in 2023, Belgium Campus iTversity has actively contributed to the development of BRICS skills standards, skills training and international collaboration aimed at preparing young people for emerging technology-driven careers.
A key driver of this work is Professor Japie Greeff, Dean of Postgraduate Studies & Research at Belgium Campus iTversity, who servers as Head of Standards for the South African arm of the Working Group. In this role, Professor Greeff contributes directly to the development and alignment of skills standards that guide training, assessment, and competition across participating countries. Skills standards have been developed in a range of high-demand fields, including Building Information Modelling (BIM), Machine Learning and Big Data, and Data Analysis and Visualisation. These standards provide a framework for training, assessment, and skills competitions across participating countries.
Developing Future-Ready Skills Through Competition and Collaboration
Central to the initiative are the annual BRICS Skills Challenges and Innovation Competition, which bring together young people, educators, industry experts, and innovation leaders from South Africa and other BRICS+ countries. Hosted in a different province each year, the events provide participants with opportunities to showcase their abilities, develop new skills, and engage with peers and professionals from diverse backgrounds. Previous events were held at North-West University in Gauteng in 2024 and Esayidi TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal in 2025. In 2026, the initiative moves to the Western Cape, where Northlink TVET will host the next edition, bringing together participants and experts from across South Africa and the wider BRICS+ community. Professor Japie Greeff will continue to play a key role in the initiative, reinforcing Belgium Campus iTversity’s contribution to shaping skills standards and translating them into practical training and competition.
The Skills Challenges are based on the established BRICS skills standards and include a period of specialised training before participants compete for medals and recognition. Beyond the competition itself, the initiative creates valuable opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing between students, industry specialists, academic leaders, judges, trainers, and sponsors.
Belgium Campus iTversity has played an actively role in translating these standards into practical skills development. In 2024 and 2025, Belgium Campus iTversity Industry Coordinator Jacqui Muller delivered training in Robotic Process Automation, alongside experts from South Africa and China who contributed specialist training in Cybersecurity, Machine Learning and Big Data, Microlandscaping and Building Information Modelling.
In 2026, Belgium Campus iTversity will build on this work by once again taking a leadership role in organising the Skills Challenges. Training will be offered in Data Analysis and Visualisation, Machine Learning and Big Data, Microlandscaping, Building Information Modelling, Cybersecurity and Business Process Automation. Experts from South Africa, Russia, and China, will contribute to the programme, giving participants direct exposure to international expertise, different approaches to technology and a wider network of academics, industry specialists, and fellow competitors. For Belgium Campus iTversity, this creates an important bridge between academic learning, industry-relevant skills, and international collaboration.
Showcasing Innovation Across Key Growth Sectors
Alongside the Skills Challenges, the BRICS Innovation Competition, delivered in collaboration with TICON Africa, provides a platform for innovators to present solutions to major social, economic, and technological challenges. Categories span fields such as advanced manufacturing, digital health, green energy, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, aerospace technology, smart governance, and emerging frontier technologies.
“Our involvement goes beyond participation in an international competition. It is about contributing to the standards that define emerging skills, creating opportunities for young people to develop those skills and connecting South African talent with expertise from across the BRICS+ community,” says Professor Japie Greeff.
Commitment to Skills Development and Innovation
Through its continued collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and Training, the BRICS Business Council and international partners, Belgium Campus iTversity is contributing across the skills-development journey – from helping shape skills standards, to supporting training and competition, and creating opportunities for innovation and international knowledge exchange.
This work strengthens the connection between education and the skills required by a changing technology sector, while creating opportunities for South African students and emerging innovators to participate in a wider international community of talent and expertise.
Applications for the 2026 BRICS Innovation Competition are open. Prospective participants can register through the official application portal: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BCIT-ZA2026
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