Belgium Campus ITversity Articles

Study UX Development at Belgium Campus iTversity If you have been the victim of a slow-loading websiteor a cluttered and confusing homepage, you know how frustrating a bad user experience can be. And while a negative interactionon an app or website may be an annoying inconvenience for a customer, it can result in severe revenue loss for the organisations that own them. It is not surprising, then, that people who choose to study within this field become sought-after professionals. In the remainder of this article, we look at what a career in UX development entails, what skills you need to pursue this career, and where you should study to obtain these skills.  The Role Explained UX developers are responsible for ensuring that customers have the best possible interaction with a company’s digitalproducts or services. Bridging The Gap Between Designand Technology Optimal user experience requires an impeccable design from a design team and seamless implementation of this design by a development team. However, due to their different focus areas, these teams often have difficulty understanding each other, which may result in a negative customer experience. User experiencedevelopers must bridge the gap between these two professions and, as such, be knowledgeable and skilled in both. They must be able to explain why designs that may seem overly complicated and challenging to implement to the developers are, in fact, necessary for appearance and usability. In the same breadth, they must be able to explain techlimitations to the designers to prevent them from creating impractical designs that are impossible to implement. Building Prototypes and Proofs of Concept Before you get the wrong idea, user experience developers don’t just play a mediatory role – although this role is critical! Professionals in this field are also responsible for developing interactive prototypes (early models built to test how the end product or service will look and function), which are crucial for ensuring that the end product has the desired effect. Necessary Skills With the above in mind, it is clear that UX development is a multidisciplinary field of study that requires the acquisition of a range of skills, including: Where To Study Belgium Campus iTversity is known for transforming students into well-rounded IT professionals with diverse and relevant skills. Are you interested in pursuing a career in UX development? Either of our degreequalifications will provide you with all the above skills and more! Want more information? You are welcome to email us at [email protected] or call us on 010 593 5361, and we will gladly assist.

IT Diploma for Deaf Students If you are Deaf and living in South Africa, you know how hard it is to access quality higher education. Education that not only caters to your specific needs but is also challenging enough to allow you to graduate with an empowering qualification. More often than not, education available for Deaf learners in South Africa is at a lower academic level than that of their hearing peers. Sadly, this means that these learners graduate at a disadvantage and with fewer opportunities. This is not the case at Belgium Campus iTversity. In the remainder of this article, we look at how the IT diploma we provide is not only specifically designed to meet the needs of Deaf students but allows them to graduate with the same NQF Level 6 qualification as their hearing peers. About the Course Belgium Campus iTversity’s IT diploma for the Deaf is a 4-year course that allows students to specialise in the in-demand and growing field of software development. It has the added advantage of 6 months of workplace training, which can either be completed at one of the many organisations we partner with or in-house at our research and innovation hub, Bothlale Village.  Students who pursue this course study the same content and complete the same assignments and exams as their hearing peers. By maintaining the same standard of education for all our students, we ensure that they graduate with the same knowledge, skills, and opportunities.   Inclusion through Customisation Providing an inclusive learning environment where all our students have access to the same top-quality education is extremely important. Below are some ways we ensure this for our Deaf students. SASL Interpreters We provide SASL interpreters for our Deaf students throughout their qualifications, including during their 6 months of industry training. SASL Video Dictionary Recognising the gap in SASL vocabulary for a subject like Information Technology, our interpreters are working with our Deaf students to create a sign language video dictionary of tech terms. Class Size and Setup We limit our IT diploma for the Deaf classes to 10 students to ensure each student receives dedicated attention. We also adopt a half-moon seating arrangement which is optimal for students learning through sign language. Free SASL Classes Promoting inclusion is not just about catering to the Deaf community but also encouraging hearing individuals to play their part. One of the ways we do this is by providing free SASL classes to all our students and staff. Study Further This year, Belgium Campus iTversity started accepting Deaf students to study for their Bachelor of Information Technology. With a specialisation in software development, this 3-year academic qualification allows Deaf students who completed the IT diploma to delve deeper into the field of software development to graduate with a relevant and recognised degree. Need More Information? Would you like more information about studying at Belgium Campus iTversity as a Deaf student? We will gladly assist. Email us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 073 230 5147.

Information Systems Course – Combine ITand Business IT has become the backbone of virtually every industry, including agriculture, education, business, health, and communications, to name a few. Its pervasiveness is advantageous for those with a passion for technology and a keen interest in an additional field as it opens up exciting possibilities where the two overlap. Do you have an interest in technology and business? Read on to learn how a course in information systems will give you skills in both, allowing you access to many rewarding and lucrative careers. The Field Explained Information systems are sets of linked components (hardware, software, networks, data, people) that allow organisations to collect, store, and process data. Specialists in this field are responsible for managing these components to provide organisations with the information necessary to make more informed decisions. To effectively perform this role, professionals must become the bridge between the organisation and the technology, which requires an understanding of both worlds. They must possess strong technicalskills and knowledge of computerhardware and software, and have extensive business knowledge, including a firm grasp of various business functions. Career Possibilities Effective decision-making is key to the growth and success of every organisation. With this in mind, it is not surprising that having the skills to help organisations achieve this will make you a hot commodity with plenty of exciting career opportunities. Some of these include: Data Analyst Data Scientist Application Analyst Cybersecurity Analyst Business Intelligence Consultant Software Engineer Web Developer Penetration Tester Database Administrator Choosing a Course With a focus on information systems modules, Belgium Campus iTversity’s Bachelor of IT provides foundational knowledge in software engineering and business intelligence, giving students the tech skills and business mindset to excel in any of the above roles. By pursuing this 3-year academicprogramme, you will cover an extensive range of topics, from mobile and wireless networks to artificial intelligence and intelligent systems, while specialising in the growing field of software development. You will also have an opportunity to develop sound business knowledge and skills through subjects including innovation management, project management, innovation and leadership, entrepreneurship, and business management. Part-Time Option This course is also available part-time via distancelearning for individuals who cannot attend classesduring the week. It is a five-year programme with classes spanning 30 Saturdays throughout the year from 8am-5pm. Students with prior IT qualifications and/or relevant work experience can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to complete the course in a shorter period. It is a fantastic option for working professionals looking to reskill or upskill to stay relevant in the ever-changing job market. Need Further Details? Do you have questions about studying for a Bachelor of IT at Belgium Campus iTversity? You are welcome to email us at [email protected], call us on 010 593 5368, or drop by our campus in Pretoria or Kempton Park, and we will happily give you all the answers you need. Our friendly admissions team is also available to assist you with your application.

Study End User Computing – A Must-Have Skill We live in a world where computerliteracy is a prerequisite for success. Being knowledgeable in widely used end user computing platforms like MicrosoftWord, Excel, and PowerPointcan mean the difference between securing a job and being overlooked. Despite the weight these skills carry in today’s job market, people often underestimate the importance of taking the time to learn them. In the remainder of this article, we explore how end user computing skills are crucial for becoming an efficient and productive employee in any workplace and how these skills can be of particular importance for students within the ITfield. Study Microsoft Word Regardless of the industryyou find yourself in, being able to package your thoughts and findings coherently and professionally will take you a long way – Microsoft Word allows for this. In the IT field, softwaredevelopers use Microsoft Word to create technicaldocuments, which provide essential information about a product or service to all stakeholders, including engineers, marketers, project managers, and even the client. These documents are edited and sent back and forth between these stakeholders to ensure the end product meets the necessary specifications and requirements. Study Microsoft Excel Datais the most valuable asset any company can have, and knowing how to work with it to extract meaningful information will make you a sought-after candidate. Microsoft Excel allows professionals to store, analyse, and report on large volumes of data to help organisations improve their strategy and decision-making process. It is a great skill to have in any profession and an essential skill for professionals who work with large amounts of data, including data scientists, data analysts, and database managers.  Study Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation skills are like a superpower when trying to make a good impression or sell a product or idea. Microsoft PowerPoint takes presentation skills to new heights. Unlike word documents that are text heavy and generally viewed by one person at a time, PowerPoint presentations leverage the power of the visual to convey information to large groups of people clearly and engagingly. Microsoft PowerPoint is also a powerful tool for software developers. It can be used to optimise the UX of a product or service by creating interactive prototypes. Hyperlinks and other objects embedded in the PowerPoint can be used to demonstrate what happens when a user performs a specific action, for example, pressing a button in an app. Where to Study Let’s face it, regardless of the software you learn, if you can’t use the above platforms, you will likely struggle in your career. At Belgium Campus iTversity, we understand the importance of a firm foundation in basic computing skills. Our Diploma in Information Technology includes end user computing as a core subject in the first year to give our students the necessary base to become in-demand professionals. Want to know more about this must-have skill or our Diploma in IT? Send us an email at [email protected] or call us on 010 593 5368.

IT Courses with Work Experience Relevant work experience is crucial to succeeding in today’s highly competitive job market. This is especially true for a field like information technology, where the widening skills gap has a detrimental effect on the productivity and growth of many organisations. If you want to be considered for a job in IT, let alone stand out, you need to show that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to add value to an organisation from day one. What’s the easiest way to do this? Work experience! How Belgium Campus iTversity Produces Work-Ready Graduates Are you looking for a qualification that will allow you to gain crucial work experience while you study? As a higher education institution specialising in IT, Belgium Campus iTversity understands what it takes to produce industry-ready IT graduates. For over two decades, we have been working with local and global businesses to ensure our courses meet the changing needs of the industry. We incorporate mandatory workplace training into our courses to ensure our students enter the working world with relevant experience. We currently have students completing workplace training at over 130 different organisations, many of which permanently employ our students before the end of their internships! We host regular recruitment events where we invite representatives from these and other organisations who would like to collaborate and engage with our students as potential employers. This is what some of these representatives had to say about our students: Company Testimonials “We have a student whose name is Ettienne. We got him last year via the recruitment event, and, at this point, he is probably one of our best developers. He came in with quite a bit of knowledge, which is great. That’s why we love Belgium Campus – I think they really do a great job.” – Rikus Du Preez, MathU Teaching Emporium Project Manager. “If you look at our current dev compliment, a lot of our devs actually come from Belgium Campus, and ordinarily, the most successful ones in our environment.” – Jonathan Binedell, Raging River Talent Acquisition Specialist. “One of our first employees that were in the graduate programmecame out of Belgium Campus, and that was quite successful. Since then, it’s been about 3 or 4 years that we’ve recruited here, and we’ve always had success.” –  Dirk Naude, EPI-USE Associate Manager. Choose Between Our Courses At Belgium Campus iTversity, we offer two exceptional IT courses, which include workplace training. Bachelor of Computing Our 4-year Bachelor of Computing degree includes one year of industry training at one of our leading industry partners. Students who choose this qualification can specialise in one of two in-demand fields, DataScienceorSoftwareEngineering. Regardless of the specialisation selected, students can rest assured that they will graduate sought-after and/or with permanent employment. Diploma in Information Technology Our Diploma in Information Technology includes six months of workplace training which can either be completed at one of our industry partners or our very own research and innovation hub, Botlhale Village. Students who opt to study this programmecan choose to specialise in Software Development or Infrastructure. Depending on the specialisation selected, they will have an opportunity to further specialise in exciting areas, including Database, Data Analytics,Business, Security, Networking, Cloud, Programming, Web Development, and Mobile Development. Need More Information? Would you like to learn more about these IT courses or our iTversity? Send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call on 010 593 5368, and we will happily provide all the information you need.

Study Top IT Courses in South Africa An increasing number of students from across the globe are pursuing highereducation in South Africa (SA), and what better field of study to consider than the one currently shaping every industry – IT! In this article, we explore some of the many reasons why SA is a great place to study IT and why Belgium Campus iTversity’s courses should be top of your list. An Ideal Destination South Africa is known for its stunning and diverse landscapes, and with campuses in Gauteng and a new campus opening in the Western Cape in 2023, our iTversity will leave you spoilt for choice. For those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life, our Kempton Park campus is just a 30-minute drive from SA’s largest city, Johannesburg, famously known as the city of gold. If you prefer a quieter setting, our Pretoria campus is nestled at the foothills of the beautiful Magaliesburg mountain range in the peaceful suburb of Akasia. Our new campus is located in the popular student town, Stellenbosch, which is known for its historic architecture, rich cultural heritage, and spectacular winelands. The People People living in SA are often considered the friendliest on the planet, and the students and staff at Belgium Campus iTversity only serve to reaffirm this. Below is a testimony from a Belgian who visited our campus as part of a student exchange programme. “I didn’t expect people to be as open, friendly, and warm-hearted. When you sit outside here on campus, people just walk up to you and start talking to you – it’s really refreshing” – Maxim Coppieters, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts alumnus. Technological Advancement South Africa continues to lead the way in technological advancements in Africa and holds the title of the most innovative country on the continent. As a well-established and renowned private higher education institution specialising in IT, Belgium Campus works closely with the industry to incorporate the latest tech trends and developments to keep its courses relevant. Academic Excellence South Africa is also known for having some of the best higher education institutions in Africa, and Belgium Campus is no exception. The institution and its courses are not only highly respected by the local industry and education sector, but also enjoy international recognition. Audited every five years and benchmarked against the accreditation protocol of the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization, Belgium Campus meets and even surpasses international standards. The most recent audit found the institution’s Bachelor of Computing degree more advanced than an academic bachelor’s programme by European standards. Application Process Are you interested in studying one of our IT courses? Deciding to study abroad can be daunting, but we are ready to help you every step of the way. Email us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us at 073 230 5147, and a member of our admissions team will walk you through the entire application process to make sure you meet all the requirements as an international applicant.

IT University To Host Solar Racing World Champions Reigning solar racing world champions, the Agoria Solar Team, have requested support from Belgium Campus IT University for the upcoming 2022 Sasol Solar Challenge. About the Team The Agoria Solar Team is a group of engineeringstudents from the renowned Belgian institution, KU Leuven. The team has been building solar cars and participating in international solar challenges for over 16 years! Not only do they hold the title of solar racing world champions after winning the most recent Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in 2019, but also that of European champions after winning the iLumen European Solar Challenge in 2020. While winning is great, the team also races for a more meaningful reason – to showcase the power and importance of renewable energy. About the Upcoming Challenge The Sasol Solar Challenge is a biennial event that challenges solar car teams from across the globe to travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town relying purely on solar energy. This year’s event will take place from 9 to 16 September. The team that covers the greatest distance by the end of the eight-day event will be declared the winning team. Known for its challenges, participating teams must push their engineering skills to new heights to design and build a solar car capable of withstanding the varied weather conditions the Sasol Solar Challenge route presents. Support From Belgium Campus IT University The Agoria Solar Team will arrive at the IT university on 11 August to prepare for the upcoming event. They will use one of the institution’s aeroplane hangars as their workshop to get their car race ready and the institution’s research and innovation hub, Botlhale Village, as an office space to further finalise their race strategy. During their stay, Belgium Campus students and staff will have the incredible opportunity to tour the workshop and learn what it takes to prepare for such a big event. This is not the first collaboration between Belgium Campus and KU Leuven. In fact, the two intuitions have a longstanding relationship, with lecturers from the Belgian institution regularly travelling to the IT university to present master classes. KU Leuven also helps Belgium Campus maintain an international standard of education by auditing the institution and its qualifications. The most recent audit found the South African institution’s Bachelor of Computing degree more advanced than an academic bachelor’s programme of European standards! Meet the Agoria Solar Team at Our Open Day You didn’t think we would host the solar racing world champions and not give our prospective students a chance to come and meet them, did you? The Agoria Solar Team will be at our Open Day on Saturday, 20 August. Join us and view the solar car they will be racing and attend the exciting presentation they will be giving. We look forward to seeing you there! In the meantime, keep an eye on our social media platforms for regular updates and a sneaky Instagram takeover from the Agoria Solar Team themselves!

Study a Certificate in Database Development Let’s face it, studying towards a 3- to 4-year qualification is not for everyone. There are many reasons why people opt for shorter, more vocational courses, including the affordability and minimal entry requirements these courses present to simply not wanting or being able to commit to multiple years of study. Regardless of the reason, completing the right certificate can open doors to further study opportunities and gainful employment within the industry.  In this article, we discuss Belgium Campus iTversity’s Certificate in Database Development to help you decide whether it is the right courseof study for you. But, before we delve into the details of this course, you should first establish whether this is even a field you would like to pursue. The Field Explained Developers in this profession are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the systems companies use to store and retrieve valuable information. Their role includes writing code to create tables within these systems where information can be categorised and stored, setting standards and best practices to keep them neat and organised, and optimising them to make sure information can be retrieved efficiently. With this in mind, if the thought of working with data to solve complex operational business problems excites you, you should definitely consider a career in this field. Belgium Campus’ Certificate Belgium Campus iTversity is a leading privatehighereducation institution in South Africa that specialises in industry-relevant ITqualifications. One such qualification is the institution’s 1-year Certificate in Database Development. Accredited by MICT SETA and aligned with the NQF and the South African Qualifications Authority, this purely vocational programmewill give you the practical skills and specialised knowledge required to quickly enter the industry as a highly proficient developer. You will complete modules in Information Systems, Innovation and Leadership, Operating Systems, Project Management, Security, Mathematics, Programming, Data Models, WebProgramming, and of course Database Development, and have the opportunity to complete an elective in Enterprise Systems or Internet of Things. Upon completion of this qualification, you will also have the option to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to further your studies at Belgium Campus. By completing this NQF Level 6 programme, you become eligible to apply for the Diploma in Information Technology or the Bachelor of IT at the iTversity. Furthering your studies through either of these empowering programmes will allow you to strengthen your knowledge and skills within the field of database development and explore alternative career paths within the IT sector. Need Help Applying? Would you like to study this programme at Belgium Campus? Our friendly admissions team is ready to assist you with your application. All you will need is a National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) endorsed for a Higher Certificate – we’ll do the rest. Give us a call on 010 593 5368 or send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll help you secure your spot for 2023.

Complete a Programming Course for an Exciting Career When deciding what to study, you don’t want to choose a course that will box you in and limit your career options. Programming is an in-demand skill that will give you access to a range of exciting and high-paying careers both within and outside of theIT sector. In this article, we explore some of these careers and outline what programming is and where you should study to become a sought-after expert. What is Programming Programmers write the code (set of instructions) that tells a computer how to carry out various tasks. At the most basic level, this can include telling a computer how to read keystrokes to display different keyboard characters on a screen. A range of codinglanguages (special languages that allow humans to communicate with computers) is used to achieve this, including JavaScript, Python, and C#, which are some of today’s most popular. There are hundreds of different coding languages but don’t let this alarm you. Each language falls under four main categories: Procedural, Object Oriented, Logic, and Functional, and once you know one language from a category, it is much easier to learn the other languages within it. Career Possibilities When most people think of programmers, they generally only think of web and appdevelopment within the IT sector. While these are careers accessible to programmers, they are certainly not the only ones. Programmers can perform a range of exciting tasks in virtually any industry. They can programme self-driving cars in the automotive industry, space exploring robots in the aerospace industry, and even robots that can assist doctors with surgery in the healthcare industry. They can also apply their skills to create beautiful art, develop epic games or create the special effects and 3D animations that make today’s films so captivating. With this in mind, it is clear that professionals with this skill are both creative and analytical.  Choosing a Course Are you interested in becoming a professional with this coveted skill? Why limit yourself to a course that will only teach you to programme? Belgium Campus iTversity offers a range of world-class IT programmes that will transform you into a well-rounded professional with exceptional programming skills. Choose between our: Bachelor of Computing (NQF Level 8) 4-year qualification. One year of workplace training. Specialise in Software Engineering or Data Science. Bachelor of Information Technology (NQF Level 7) 3-year qualification. Offered full-time and part-time. Specialise in Software Development. Diploma in Information Technology (NQF Level 6) 3-year qualification. 6 months of workplace training. Specialise in Software Development or Infrastructure.  Certificate: IT (NQF Level 6) 1-year qualification. Specialise in Database Development. Purely vocational. National Certificate: IT (NQF Level 5) 1-year qualification. Specialise in Systems Development. Purely vocational. Need more information? Call us on 010 593 5368 or email us at [email protected]. Regardless of the course you choose, you can rest assured that you will graduate spoilt for choice.