Kgomotso Mogotlane

The purpose of any educational qualification is to provide students with knowledge and skills applicable to their selected field of study. It is commonly said that diplomas make one more job-ready, faster and at a more affordable cost, as compared to degrees in most fields of study. An IT Diploma equips students with relevant, practical skills and knowledge needed for the application of IT activities in various sectors. Some of the reasons which may encourage students to pursue studying for an IT Diploma are the flexibility of an IT work environment, the platform it provides for creativity and the room for ongoing learning. The working environment for IT professionals is generally one that is flexible in nature with many opportunities for working from home and at convenient times for individuals. This provides a capacity for workers to easily adapt to the changing life circumstances such as the current COVID-19 pandemic which the world is dealing with. It is also a much-appreciated benefit that accommodates female professionals who, while they are busy building their careers, may also be starting families and may not be ready to return to work – separating from their young ones too soon. This is very encouraging to young innovators who believe they can come up with creative solutions to real-life problems, but are also planning to start families. While it may seem that coming up with these solutions means mainly sitting behind the keyboard and writing code, that is not the main remit. It is a platform for creativity where problems are solved with creative solutions by analysing real-life problems or challenges and finding practical solutions for these. This process of analysing and writing code is one that requires patience and IT skills to successfully implement creative solutions that work and solve the problem at hand. An IT Diploma is valuable to anyone wanting to obtain the skills, knowledge and practices needed to succeed in the IT industry at an affordable cost. It further provides and offers a promise to enjoy the same benefits of an IT environment that is flexible, with a platform for creativity, and the opportunity to learn and grow as you come up with various solutions.

Living with a disability may limit access to many things in everyday life, but it shouldn’t equate to substandard learning or no education at all, especially in IT. There are many courses to choose from such as Systems Development Courses that promise a successful and lucrative career for everyone, whether living with a disability or not. Section 29 of the South African Constitution states that everyone has the right to education which includes Students with Disabilities (SwDs). In addition, SwDs have other rights that include the choice to disclose their disabilities and to enrol for educational courses on the same basis as their able-bodied peers. SwDs with a desire to study Systems Development Courses or to pursue a career in IT should be free to follow their dreams without hesitation or fear. They should do this knowing that they are under no legal obligation to disclose their disabilities to anyone unless they feel it’s important to do so. This disclosure may be required due to practical reasons such as requesting special accommodation to meet their needs. Those students who choose to disclose their disability status must also be ready and willing to provide necessary supporting documents should they be requested to do so. The request for supporting documents should not be seen as an invasion of privacy, but possibly a need to approving certain modifications in order to accommodate a student’s needs. While some higher learning institutions may be able to ensure that specific support needs of students with disabilities are met, to allow them to equally participate alongside their peers, others may not be able to. This shouldn’t be a deterrent for SwDs to pursue a qualification they desire to enrol for. There are higher learning institutions with online or hybrid educational models that offer Systems Development Courses and other IT qualifications where more students with various disabilities can be fairly accommodated. One of these institutions is Belgium Campus iTversity. A private higher education institution that provides a Diploma in IT for Deaf students. Belgium Campus iTversity prides itself as an institution that provides equal opportunities to students living with disabilities and students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. There is still a long way to go for SwDs to be fully accommodated by all higher learning institutions, but they can still access good quality education, especially at institutions such as Belgium Campus iTversity. IT qualifications are available through many public and private (accredited and registered) higher learning IT institutions in South Africa which are accessible by everyone including SwDs. Although everyday life has many limits to what people with disabilities can do, IT has unlimited opportunities to what they can achieve – from a qualification in Systems Development Courses to becoming IT professionals and even giants in the industry.

Computer programming has become a significant aspect of modern-day life, as most of the world’s daily activities are automated or dependant on smart machines. The harmonious relationship between humans and machines relies on the communication that takes place between the two. This communication is made possible by computer programming, which is the action of generating instructions that command a computer on how and when to perform tasks. The process can be achieved by using various programming languages such as Python, Java and C# which are learnt through various available Programming courses. The reason for programming is to create a sequence of instructions that will automate the performance of a task, by the machine, which is initiated and controlled by humans, during any interaction for humans to obtain desirable and expected outcomes. This basically means that people need to be able to use simple and complex technology such as cell phones, ATMs and computer applications (Apps) for them to enjoy the benefits of what each machine is designed to offer. For this to be possible there has to be a language(s) that both humans and machines can mutually understand. Programming is all about providing instructions in any one of these coding languages that are used to instruct machines to be able to accept, understand, and execute commands from humans. Programming courses are one of the best ways to learn various coding languages to enable programmers to gain immense knowledge and skill in their field of study. A reputable institution that provides some of the Programming courses is Belgium Campus iTversity, a private higher education institute. Belgium Campus iTversity teaches students a number of these programming languages whilst they study to become IT professionals. Coding languages are particular to solving different problems. Some are more suited to design websites with, others are more suited to use for business intelligence. But, they all have one main goal which is to facilitate communication between humans and machines. Learning a programming language is no different from learning a foreign language. It is not an easy thing to master in a short space of time, but with a solid foundation provided in programming by an institute such as Belgium Campus, during which one would gain increased knowledge about fundamental programming concepts and languages, one could master any coding language in no time. Coding becomes fun as one understands the languages and can use them to logically solve problems by breaking things up and figuring out how technology can assist with everyday challenges. Technology is changing the world, from our daily communications staying connected through smartphones, to data science and how organisations use data for decision making. As the world continues to rely on smart technologies daily, so does the demand for agile and skilled programmers who can keep up with the rapidly increasing demand for enhanced human-machine interactions. Programming Courses are becoming more valuable every single day with technological advancement exponentially increasing and becoming a bigger part of our daily lives.

South Africa has one of the largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) markets in Africa. It is said to be the most innovative and technologically advanced country on the continent for several years. This puts an immersive pressure on the Information Technology institutions in South Africa to produce high-calibre, world-class students in the broad career paths classified under computer software and hardware. A few of these institutions expose their students to working on various local and international projects with international peers to mould them into global thinkers. By welcoming international students to study with their students, they create a multi-cultural platform where everyone is enriched by what others have to offer. From these experiences, students acquire the kind of knowledge that has no borders and can be applied globally. Students must do proper research on the kind of education offered by institutions before they enrol for study. There are several well-established public and private Information Technology institutions in South Africa that offer a variety of IT qualifications. For students who lean towards specialisation in computer software and eventually become professionals, it is most likely to work in the industry suitable for flexible work. As software professionals, such as Security Software Developers, global thinking is a skill that could be harnessed with wide exposure to the educational models offered at tertiary institutions.   Organisations use technology extensively all over the world. IT professionals in the computer hardware industry are just as in-demand as software specialists. The hardware professionals are those responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of computer systems. Since their vocation relates to the physical development of a computer and its peripherals, it is not quite as easy for them to work remotely. Previous experience in working with multi-cultural teams equips students with the ability to effortlessly blend into any team and to navigate the differences and challenges brought on by diversity. The Information Technology institutions in South Africa and around the world are faced with an impressive challenge of providing the kind of IT education that is not limited to academia. The industry seeks IT professionals with relevant skills, prowess and aptitude. This demand challenges higher learning institutions to think out of the box of conventional learning to produce global industry graduates.

The rapid growth of technological innovations has forecasted significant growth for the IT industry in the near future. Choosing a career in IT and studying through an accredited institution with an excellent industry reputation could be a worthwhile investment for individuals of different demographics in progress of building their careers. A Diploma in Information Technology is an option for such individuals, as it provides the basis for further development of a student into a specialist and junior management occupations. It may also open up many other career paths, as it is a career that benefits any business by enabling companies to work more efficiently and maximise productivity. The IT platform has no specific demographic and is accommodative of all capable individuals. Some institutions, like Belgium Campus iTversity, have cast a wider net in their offering of a Diploma in Information Technology for the Deaf. They have roped in South African Sign Language interpreters to provide the same high-quality education to Deaf students. This creates an opportunity for them to compete with their hearing peers on the same level and to become equally competent professionals. A Diploma in Information Technology is project-focussed, which provides students with knowledge designed to be industry-relevant. This empowering qualification trains students to have a broad knowledge of ICT principles and equips them with the skills needed in the IT industry. Students will also have the flexibility to access a wide variety of specialisations and to operate in other sectors where ICT is a key component. The career paths paved by knowledge gained from this qualification may include Software Development, Computer System Analysis, Computer Programming, System Support, Web Development and Project Management. Computer systems generally improve productivity and efficiency in businesses. This is through simplifying time-consuming tasks, such as the use of a document management system to replace tasks like manual file retrieval, data entry and filing. Furthermore, business efficiency is greatly improved across all areas through increased staff connectivity which enables collaboration between teams or business components, improves employee engagement and much more. While this qualification will place students on a path to a successful career in various industries, it is up to every individual to take the initiative to develop a deeper understanding of how they can apply their knowledge and skills in various work environments.

Information Technology is a large field with numerous areas of specialisation providing many options for students in pursuit of quality education through traditional on-campus or accredited online courses. Acquiring a qualification in this field is not only limited to school leavers but it extends to the established IT professionals who want to climb the corporate ladder or are looking to increase their IT knowledge and skills. A Bachelor’s Degree in IT is a basic requirement for a career as an IT professional, but there are other aspects that will differentiate a student from his/her peers. For undergraduate students, an internship programme provides them with an opportunity to gain work exposure and bridges the gap between theory and practice. It enables them to harness various skills and acts as a starting point for them to build professional relationships. A strong professional network can help aspiring professionals reach their career goals. In order to remain relevant and sought after, IT professionals must stay informed of industry developments and trends. Rapid developments, game-changing innovations, and contemporary trends in the Information Technology industry are inevitable. With rapidly changing technologies, IT professionals are required to constantly upgrade their skills. This can be done through a number of industry-affiliated certificates and courses, but a degree in IT is the foundation on which this is built. There are many industry certifications available in the market, such as Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Cloud Security Professional, Certified Data Professional, etc. Getting certified or learning new skills will boost confidence, work performance and ultimately set you apart from your peers. Belgium Campus iTversity students are fortunate enough to have some of these certifications included in their qualification as an added benefit. IBM, AWS and Microsoft are just some of the well-known industry partners that work alongside the institution. Belgium Campus students can obtain these certifications at no additional cost to them. Not every IT professional has a degree in IT. Some have diplomas and others have certificates, but obtaining a qualification is the perfect start to kick off your professional career in IT.

Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human smart processes by machines, specifically computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning and self-correction. Most learning institutions offer a course or more under this umbrella term that encompasses everything from robotic process automation to actual robotics. Due to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, which makes it possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs and perform human-like tasks, there is a greater need for people to study in this field. The learning of machines from experience provides systems with the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. This describes systems that make predictions using a model trained on real-world data. An example of such a system is Google Maps, which predicts the volume of traffic along a specific route, estimates travel time and time of arrival. It achieves this by analysing data collected from historical traffic patterns and comparing it to live traffic conditions. The point of these processes is to go from data to insight – from raw, unprocessed captured facts, according to certain standards, to analysed information with which to understand the context of a situation to reach a specific conclusion. These training dataset include inputs and correct outputs, which allow the models to continue learning over the course of time. Ultimately, this optimises models for accuracy, improves model performance and saves retraining time by making models auto-adaptive. This is referred to as ‘smart technology’. In most cases, smart technology will not be sold as an individual application, rather, products already in use will be improved with smart capabilities. These capabilities include human-like capabilities, where machines have the potential to replace humans, such as with travel agents. Before the Internet, many people worked as travel agents to help find, arrange and book the best deal for travelling. Today, with the Internet and computers, travellers can do this themselves without needing a travel agent. Additionally, robots controlled by computers are replacing jobs that involve packing or moving goods. An example is the Amazon robots that have taken over the process of moving all products to people who then package and mail them to customers. These are just some of the examples of how machines are replacing human jobs. Although the thought of this is unsettling, there are many benefits for humans from artificial intelligence which are enjoyed every day from almost every sector without recognition. For example, in the banking sector, it can identify transactions that are likely to be fraudulent, adopt fast and accurate credit scoring, as well as automate manually intense data management tasks. In the healthcare sector, artificial intelligence is virtually improving every aspect of the industry, from robot-assisted surgeries to safeguarding private records against cybercriminals. With the advancement of technology, there are threats and there are benefits. Studying a course in the field of artificial intelligence will broaden horizons and make a career possible in several different directions which can have a real impact on human lives through various industries.

The 1950s was the decade in which technological innovations resulted in the rapid improvement of mass communication. It is at the end of this decade that television had replaced radio, newspapers and magazines as the primary source of information and entertainment for most Americans. In 1959, the term ‘machine learning’ was coined by Arthur Samuel who was a pioneer in the field of computer gaming and artificial intelligence (AI). Machine learning is not a new concept but has gained a lot of momentum in recent years through the expanding collection of data, affordable processing power and inexpensive storage. A machine learning course, as an area of AI and computer science, promises a smarter connection between humans and computer systems through intelligent interactions. Topics such as the development of software and algorithms that can make predictions based on data are covered in this course. Machine learning further enables computer systems to make predictions or decisions using historical data or experiences without being explicitly programmed. It is a powerful tool that can be applied to almost any problem, such as, theoretically, smarter non-player characteristics (NPC) in computer games. These characters in a game are not controlled by any person playing, nor by any form of AI, and they are usually not meant to act like real people. NPC are different from central processing unit (CPU) characters, which are built to act like humans in games, but that’s a topic for another day. Machine learning makes predictions by constructing algorithms that look for and recognise patterns in data through previously collected data. Implementations of these algorithms are trained on a set of training data, allowing them to improve themselves. The training data is the same kind of data that is to be supplied to the running program, along with the desired result. The program then assesses its own performance and adjusts to improve. A speech recognition device is an ideal example of devices that learn by recognising patterns in data. It converts audio from a speech recording into a single sound and finds the most probable word in a specific language through the use of algorithms. Those sounds are then translated into text, enhancing human communication for people with hearing issues. If more people were to study this machine learning course, as a human race, we would stand a chance to benefit greatly in various sectors, including the social and health sectors. We could expect an acceleration in technological advancement from the effective use of machine learning.

As with any other field of study, certain admission requirements have to be met when pursuing a career in IT. These requirements vary according to specific courses and institutions. A career in this area of study can broaden one’s work opportunities as it influences all forms of human activities. There are many benefits to choosing a career in this field, such as the ability to combine one’s career with personal interests, it provides prospects of a good income, and it is one of the professions in high demand. If you would enjoy working in an environment where you’re encouraged to never stop learning, IT is for you. Combining this profession with your interests would provide adequate motivation to devote great effort to developing more relevant knowledge and skills, setting higher occupation-related goals, and taking action to achieve those goals. Godfrey Hounsfield, the man behind the invention of the computerised tomography (CT) scan machine, is one of the many exemplary people who aligned their interests with their careers – combining his passion with his ambition. Organisations are aware that staff members’ passion in their selected work fields can boost performance and productivity. Thus, they strive to cultivate it. That’s not all. Most companies are aware that technology changes at the speed of light, which is why many of them are prepared to heavily invest in securing top-talented and highly skilled IT personnel. Reasons for organisations to want to keep up with these changes vary from needing the latest cyber-security, improving customer service, staying ahead of competitors and many others. They are prepared to pay good salaries for proper and adequate skills and the continuous development of those skills. There is an opportunity for personal growth for individuals in this profession. It is at the discretion of the organisations how they implement professional development. While some may financially contribute towards the continued education of their personnel, some may have processes that encourage workers to further educate themselves. Education can also be in the form of pursuing in-demand skills through additional courses, field exposure and many other ways to expand knowledge and capabilities. Individuals who do this can be sure that they are setting themselves apart from the other candidates. The current digital transformation which is accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic has created broader opportunities for contemporary IT innovations and solutions. In this growing sector, there is a greater demand for adaptable people with relevant education and expertise in the various disciplines of this area of study. Future IT professionals are individuals who are always eager to learn something new. There is a need to source the best individuals, and organisations are standing in line to grab hold of them with high-end remuneration packages. It should not take much to convince potential students to pursue a career in this area of study. All they need to do is enrol to study IT at a reputable and accredited institution to start their journey.

It was Don Norman who defined ‘User Experience’ as encompassing all aspects of the end user’s interaction with the company, its services and its products. The field of user experience represents an expansion and extension of the field of usability, to include the holistic perspective of how a person feels about using a system. The focus is on pleasure and value as well as on performance. The best user experience practices promote the improvement of the interaction quality and perceptions of the product and any related services. To achieve this simply means creating a website/system that works as expected (or better) and meets the user’s needs at the right time and place. Highly specialised applications can easily fall into a trap of using highly technical jargon that only experts may understand and that can take away the pleasure and compromise the value of the experience for the user. An exceptional user experience speaks to the user with words they understand and can act on. Signing up team members for a UX (User Experience) design course is something worth investing in because it aims to provide positive experiences that keep users loyal to the organisation’s products or brand, and improves the possibilities of new customer acquisition. Another course consideration for the same team is to study a UI (User Interface) qualification which would serve as an advantage because it is a common language that everyone will be discussing at some point in the processes of design and development. Some of the organisations which have established UX design as a pivotal element of their business strategies have succeeded in transforming followers into ardent fans who ultimately promote their products and services. This adds value by assisting companies to achieve their objectives. Organisations are currently placing great emphasis on the UX factors that impact the business’s performance, and anything that does not is regarded as a waste of time and resources. These factors, which include accessibility, speed and usability, are analysed to identify areas that need actionable tweaks and enhancements. It is after the implementation of these modifications that the product’s user experience should show improvement when re-analysed. Poor performance of a website, at any course of the interaction, has the potential to undermine every aspect of the whole experience between the computer and the human. Getting the human-computer interaction right provides the product/brand with a much better chance of succeeding, which will, in turn, contribute to the bottom line of providing the ultimate experience for the users.