Belgium Campus ITversity Articles

Our fast-paced society is always searching for better and faster ways of doing things. Technology meets these demands at lightning speed by constantly adapting and advancing. As a highereducationinstitution specialising in IT, we too need to keep evolving to contend with the latest technologies and trends. In this article, we will take a look at some of the latest tech trends and explain how we make sure our information technology courses keep up with them. 2022 Tech Trends As with any other industry, the IT industry has trends that every company needs to be aware of and implement to stay relevant. The difference between the IT industry and other industries? Tech trends tend to change in the blink of an eye.  According to a recent survey conducted by IEEE (the world’s largest technical professional organisation) titled “The Impact of Technology in 2022 and Beyond,” artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloudcomputing will be amongst the most important technologies in 2022 – all of which are key focuses in our curriculum. Now, you may be wondering how we keep our curriculum relevant when tech trends change so rapidly. Read on to find out. Our Information Technology Courses Keeping our courses up to date with the latesttech trends is one of many initiatives that set our institution apart. We achieve this by partnering with over 120 local and international companies. These companies help us stay ahead oftechnological advances, societal shifts, and evolving industry standards and give us information on the changing needs, skills, and profiles required in the workplace. In addition to the above, we host regular recruitment events where we invite our industry partners to engage directly with our students. These events showcase the high standard at which our students perform and provide an opportunity for our industry partners to recruit qualified candidates. They also exponentially increase the opportunities available to our students by exposing them to a range of companies and their various work environments. Diploma in IT Revamp We are in the process of revamping our Diploma in ITcurriculum to meet the current needs of the industry. To make this possible, we invited our industry partners to highlight subject areas that we could incorporate to fill a gap within the industry or meet an immediate need within their organisation. Following their suggestions, we will be introducing new specialisation streams, including Database, Data Analytics, Business, Security, Networking, Cloud,Programming, Web Development, and Mobile Development as of 2023. These new specialisation streams will allow our diplomastudents to graduate market-ready and with a relevant set of skills. Need More Information? Are you interested in gaining an outstanding qualification in the fastest evolving industry on earth? Don’t settle for any institution. Choose one that will adapt for you and your future. Choose Belgium Campus iTversity. Give us a call on 010 593 5361 or send us an email at [email protected] to learn more about our industry-relevant courses.

When it comes to web programming and website design, there seems to be a lot of confusion regarding what each field entails. While there are crossovers between the two, they each require a very different skill set. Are you considering pursuing a career in one of these fields? This article will help you differentiate between the two to help you make an informed decision. Definitions Web programming and website design are crucial for creating and maintaining quality websites. Experts in these fields work closely together to create websites that are not only visually appealing but functional too! Website designers are responsible for the aesthetic and user experience aspects of a website. This includes the website layout, images displayed, font choices, and colour schemes. Web programmers are concerned with the technical aspects of a website. They work with a variety of coding languages to implement the intended design and developmore complex functionality. Roles Explained A course in web programming will allow you to specialise in one of the following areas: Front-end development – using markup and codinglanguages, including CSS, HTML, and Java, to control how the information on a site appears to users via a browser or mobile device. Back-end development – using programming languages like SQL, Python, Java, and PHP to write and maintain the code that keeps the user-facing side of a site running from behind the scenes. This is achieved by maintaining a constant flow of information between a website’s front-end and database. Full-stack development– using front-end and back-end development to create fully functional websites. A course in website design will allow you to perform three main roles: UI Design – UIdesigners, or user interface designers, design all the interactive elements of a website, including forms and buttons. UX Design – UX designers, or user experience designers, analyse dataand run complex tests to design website layouts that optimise the user experience and keep website visitors engaged. Visual Design – Visual designers are versed in both UXand UI design and can create interfaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. Decision Time We hope you find this crash course helpful and feel better equipped to make an informed careerchoice. If you are still struggling to decide between these two fields, that’s okay too! Many ITqualificationswill allow you to become versed in both, which will work to your advantage considering how closely interlinked these two fields are. Belgium Campus iTversity offers two industry-relevant IT degrees, a Bachelor of Computing and a Bachelor of Information Technology, which will transform you into a world-class programmer capable of providing an exceptional user experience. Need more information on a specific course? Give us a call on 010 593 5361 or send us an email at [email protected].

What Is Machine Learning? A subfield of artificial intelligence, machine learning (ML) allows computer systems to learn and improve without explicit programming. Achieved by giving computers access to large volumes of data on specific subjects, it uses algorithms to identify patterns and accurately predict outcomes. It is a growing field with an immense impact on society and business. Read on to discover some everyday applications and the many industries that use this powerful branch of artificial intelligence. Everyday Applications Many people falsely believe that machine learning (ML) applications are only applicable within the professional tech realm. ML has many everyday applications which improve our daily lives. It’s the reason that, despite the English language comprising of an estimated 171,146 words, your phone can predict what you would like to say next when you type a message. It’s also the magic behind Netflix suggesting shows that match your interests or Facebook identifying which friends need to be tagged in the images you upload. In short, it’s an integral part of modern living. Business Applications ML is transforming virtually every industry, including healthcare, finance, entertainment, retail, transportation, and manufacturing. It is a digital transformation enabler that, when implemented effectively, drastically improves business processes and operations. Below are some examples of how ML does this: It streamlines the recruitment process by automatically sifting through all applications to shortlist the best candidates for an available position.  It helps prevent fraud by using algorithms that can monitor large volumes of data and apply pattern recognition to identify irregularities indicative of fraudulent activities. It improves customer experience by drawing on historical data and past interactions to provide each customer with a personalised experience that meets their specific needs. Why Study Machine Learning With the above in mind, it is clear that ML is a crucial strategic tool for all businesses. As such, it should come as no surprise that experts in this field are in high demand and consequently well paid. But this is not the only reason to study within this field. Doing so will grant you entry into one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, which means plenty of opportunities for career growth. Where To Study If you are looking to enter this lucrative field, most roles will require you to hold a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. Belgium Campus iTversity offers two industry-relevant IT degrees that will set you up for success. Our 3-year Bachelor of Information Technology degree covers an extensive range of topics from mobile and wireless networks to artificial intelligence and intelligent systems. Our 4-year Bachelor of Computing degree includes ML as a subject and data science as a specialisation. These two fields of study are intricately linked, and competency in both will take your career to unimaginable heights. Need more information? Give us a call on 010 593 5368 or send us an email at [email protected], and we will help you secure a successful future today.

When it comes to choosing a higher education qualification, you can’t go wrong with a Bachelor of Computing degree. Not only is a degree the entry standard for many professional careers, but the tech industry also remains one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. If you are looking for a higher educationinstitution that offers such a qualification, there are many reasons why Belgium Campus iTversity should be your first choice. Some of these reasons are outlined below. We surpass European standards All our qualifications are audited every five years and benchmarked against the accreditation protocol of the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization. The most recent audit, conducted by international universitiesKU Leuven (ranked 7th most innovative university in the world) and UAntwerpen, found our Bachelor of Computing programme to be more advanced than an equivalent programme of European standards. Our throughput rate is high Despite being our most challenging qualification at NQF Level 8, our Bachelor of Computing degree has an 87.5% throughput rate! What does this mean? Throughput rate is the percentage of students who complete their studies within the timeframe allocated for their qualification. This is rather impressive when you compare it to the national throughput rate which is only 33.3%. Our students work on real-world projects All the theoretical knowledge imparted during this degree is grounded in a real-world application. Our students work on real-world projects that affect industry and society from their very first year of study! These projects range from smart systems for BMW to smart farming solutions for local farmers. By taking part in multidisciplinary innovation projects which often involve international counterparts, our students are transformed into well-rounded IT professionals who possess much-needed global competence. Our specialisations are industry-relevant and exciting Our entire curriculum, including our specialisations, is tailored to meet the specific needs of the industry. Our Bachelor of Computing students can choose to specialise in one of two in-demand fields, being Data Science and Software Engineering. It’s no secret that software engineering is one of the highest-paid professions globally, and according to Analytics Insight, a leading media authority that covers the latest industry trends, data scientists will be the most in-demand profession in the next five years! With this in mind, our students can rest assured that they will have a successful career regardless of the specialisation they choose.  We provide internship opportunities at top companies Part of our offering at Belgium Campus iTversity is to help our students secure workplace training at top companies. We have partnered with over 120 local and international companies to give our students as many opportunities as possible. Many of these companies hire our students after their internships once they see how well they perform and how easily they transition into the working environment. Are you interested in securing your future with us? Give us a call on 010 593 5368 or send us an email at [email protected] and we will guide you through the application process.

Distance learning courses saw a global spike due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many education institutions scrambling to move online to remain operational. While some thought this was a temporary change born out of necessity, research suggests that distance education is here to stay. This is not only due to the convenience this mode of learning provides, but also its impact on learning retention. According to the Research Institute of America, remote learning increases retention rates by 25 to 60%. This is largely due to the increased control remote learning students have over their education. When it comes toe-learningplatforms, not all platforms are equal. While some institutions moved online simply to remain operational, others saw it as an opportunity to create a truly unique educational experience that prioritises student needs. One such institution is Belgium Campus iTversity. In the remainder of this article, we will take a look at Belgium Campus’ e-learning platform and how it addresses the challenges that traditional e-learning platforms present. Remote Learning at Belgium Campus Powered by HybeFlex, a system specifically designed to fill the gap in distance education, Belgium Campus has combined the convenience of online learning with all the benefits of a face-to-face environment. We have created a truly immersive remote learning experience that gives our students full control of their educational journey. This is made possible through the use of an intelligent multi-camera setup. Our intelligent multi-camera setup allows our students to choose their focus throughout a lesson. They can switch between instructor feed, whiteboard feed, computer feed, and classroom feeds, or even further enrich their remote learning experience by adding a supplementary feed to the corner of their screen (e.g., a sign language interpreter feed). The Isolation Challenge Unlike traditional e-learning platforms where there is little to no face-to-face interaction, our platform will give you that in-classroom feeling regardless of where you choose to learn. Thanks to our innovative video wall technology, remotestudents are no longer mere icons who can only passively observe but are active participants who can directly engage with their lecturer and in-room peers. The Load-shedding Challenge In a country like South Africa, load-shedding is one of the biggest challenges that e-learning students face. It is impossible to study online and keep up with your courses when experiencing regular power cuts. Our platform addresses this issue with the use of a cloud server. All our coursework and class recordings are saved to the cloud where they can be reviewed at any time. This gives our IT students the freedom to catch up on classes they’ve missed at their own convenience. The Technical Issues Challenge Distance learning can be daunting due to the complicated setup and technical difficulties some platforms pose. This is a non-issue at Belgium Campus iTversity. Our platform’s user-friendly design and minimal setup requirements allow our students to focus on their IT courses rather than wasting valuable time trying to understand complex technology. All you need to study IT courses online with us is:  A device that connects to the Internet. A webcam and microphone. 1Mb Internet speed. Are you interested in studying IT courses through distance learning? Choose the IT institution that will continue to adapt to provide you with the best distance education. Choose Belgium Campus iTversity. Apply now: https://www.belgiumcampus.ac.za/Apply-Now.html

Four Belgium Campus IT students are developing life-saving software to prevent hot car deaths. A hot car death, also known as Paediatric Vehicular Heatstroke, is when a baby or toddler dies of heatstroke after accidentally being left in a locked vehicle during a hot day. It is horrifying to think about it, but, unfortunately, happens more often than you might think. According to the National Safety Council, in America alone, an average of 38 children under 15 fall victim to hot car deaths each year. That’s 38 children too many! Recognising the gravity of this issue, our students decided to use their IT knowledge and skills to come up with a solution.  The Solution Working with a BMW X3, our students have been developing software that will notify vehicle owners via their cell phone when they have left a child, or even a pet, in their vehicle. So, how exactly does this work? All living organisms produce CO². As such, the car’s CO² and motion sensors, along with its built-in camera, will be used to detect life within the vehicle. If life is detected, a notification will be sent to the vehicle owner to inform them. At the same time, the car’s internal thermometer will monitor the temperature within the vehicle to provide the owner with regular temperature updates. If the vehicle owner does not return to their car or respond to any of the notifications received, the software will crack the car’s windows to try to reduce the temperature. If the driver still does not return and the temperature does not reduce or continues to rise, the software will start the car and switch the air conditioner on. Of course, this is just a surface-level explanation. In order to successfully develop this, our students will have to bring their idea to life through design, coding, and finally testing and debugging – an easy task for our students! Degree Options at Belgium Campus iTversity As you may have gathered, Belgium Campus iTversity is unlike other institutions that merely focus on theoretical understanding. At Belgium Campus, we equip our students with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and thoughtfulness needed to uplift communities and drive real social change. Are you ready to be the next great IT professional who changes the world and impacts people’s lives? Our revolutionary degree programmes will help you do just that. Choose between our 4-year Bachelor of Computing degree or our 3-year Bachelor of IT degree and watch yourself transform. The world is in desperate need of thoughtful leaders, don’t keep it waiting! Need more information or assistance with the application process? Give us a call on 010 593 5368 or send us an email at [email protected]. We look forward to helping you realise your true potential.

Belgium Campus iTversity, a private university in South Africa specialising in information technology qualifications, has launched an online educational platform. The platform, titled BCTV, aims to educate and excite the public’s curiosity on the importance and pervasiveness of information technology. The Platform’s Significance According to Stats SA, South Africa’s unemployment rate has hit an all-time high at 34.4%. This is in stark contrast to the World Economic Forum’s most recent skills report on the increasing skills gap that not only our country will soon face, but the world. Out of 20 job skills that will increase in demand, 70% are in information technology or related fields. With this in mind, it is clear that IT education is the most effective way to eradicate poverty and invest in the economy of our country. Powered by Belgium Campus iTversity, a private university that aims to alleviate South Africa’s educational and unemployment challenges by bridging the information technology skills gap, BCTV aims to further these efforts by encouraging more individuals to pursue a career in information technology. What the Platform Features The platform features video interviews with IT professionals from successful organisations that use technology in innovative ways. In addition to covering some of the innovative projects these companies work on, the videos also explain complex technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Many of the companies featured on the platform have students from the IT university completing their internships with them. These students’ experiences are also featured on the platform to give viewers insight into what it’s like to enter the professional IT world. Read on to find out which companies have been interviewed thus far and which disruptive technologies/ innovation projects they’ve provided insight on: Retro Rabbit Retro Rabbit is Africa’s leading software development, user experience, data science, and design thinking company. They provided insight on their Smart Safe Project – a drop safe that accepts, validates, and counts all notes fed through it and links each deposit to the user who made it. Liberty Liberty is a leading financial services company. They were interviewed regarding their use of the world’s number one customer relationship management platform, Salesforce, their use of AI, big data, and robotics, and their recently erected vaccination centre. CIRT CIRT is a tech company that provides cutting-edge IoT solutions. BCTV interviewed the company on two of these solitons. The first, Q-HOP – a solution that allows customers to scan the barcodes of items they purchase using a mobile application and then pay for these items using digital payment platforms. The second, VACCLOC – a solution that measures location and temperature to ensure optimal COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Interested in Collaborating? Would you like your company to be featured on BCTV, or are you interested in recruiting some of our industry-ready graduates? Contact our university on 010 593 5368 or send us an email at [email protected]. We welcome new collaborations and would love to hear from you.

People often have the misconception that information technology certificates are the last resort for people who did not meet the requirements to study towards a degree or diploma. While this is sometimes the case, and they can prove to be a helpful stepping stone to further study opportunities, they should definitely be given more credit.  IT certificates are an affordable option for people who would like to quickly launch their careers. They provide a specialised set of skills that will grant you swift entry into the working world, where you can start making an income. For some, a steady income is just the support needed to pursue further studies through part-time learning.  Studying at Belgium Campus iTversity  Belgium Campus iTversity offers top-quality IT certificates in the fields of systems and database development. Created in line with our mission to promote gainful employment, these courses will teach you to understand, use and apply IT in effective, efficient, and ethical ways. Read on to learn more about these certificates. Information Technology(Systems Development) This one-year programme will give you a solid grasp of computer industry concepts allowing you to work in areas of systems development with intermediate technical difficulty. In addition, should you choose to further your studies in IT, this NQF level 5 programme will give you the necessary undergraduate foundation to do so at a higher education level. Students who complete this qualification can apply to study one of our NQF level 6 qualifications. These include the below database development course and our Diploma in Information Technology. Information Technology (Database Development) This NQF level 6 qualification will transform you into a skilled data expert in just one year! You will learn advanced database skills that will allow you to complete complex tasks and procedures in the data science space. With this course under your belt, you will have no issue finding employment in today’s data-driven world. Why Complete Both Courses? Accredited by MICT SETA and aligned on the NQF with the South African Qualifications Authority, these purely vocational programmes will provide you with the immediate, hands-on, specialised knowledge to quickly enter the industry. Successful completion of both programmes will equip you to solve operational business problems in systems hardware, networking, security, and database. You will enter the working world with the ability to expertly design, develop, test, and document software solutions used in today’s business environment. Need Help Applying? Are you ready to kickstart your career with one of the above programmes? All you will need to apply is an NSC (or equivalent) with the appropriate endorsement. Need some help with the application process? We would be more than happy to assist. Give us a call on 010 593 5368 or send us an email at [email protected].

All organisations rely on information systems (IS) to support their key processes. IS help companies effectively store and retrieve important information which enhances their decision-making and planning processes, saving time and money. Specialists in this field are responsible for designing and implementing these systems and maintaining the hardware and software that keep them operational. With the above in mind, it should come as no surprise that experts in this field are in increasingly high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of managers within this field is expected to increase by 11 per cent from 2020 to 2030. In the remainder of this article, we briefly outline different types of IS, the many job opportunities a course in this field affords, and where you should consider enrolling. Types of IS Most organisations rely on the following six IS to manage operations within their businesses: Transaction Processing – manages all customer and employee transaction data to allow companies to improve their workflow efficiency and effortlessly retrieve necessary information. Office Automation – enhances teamwork and communication within a business by handling all managerial and clerical duties. Knowledge Management – improves job performance by keeping users informed through knowledge-sharing and the management of an extensive range of information. Management Information – uses transaction processing data to assist middle managers with performance monitoring and decision-making. Decision Support – assists managers with their decision-making process by processing all the details pertaining to this.  Executive Support – handles all the necessary information to help enterprise leaders conduct internal performance monitoring, competition tracking, and growth opportunities identification. Career Opportunities A course in this sought-after field will give you access to a range of exciting career opportunities which offer flexibility, plenty of room for growth, higher than average salaries, and job satisfaction. These include: Application analyst Systems analyst Cyber security analyst Software engineer Data analyst Penetration tester Data scientist IT technical support officer Database administrator IT consultant IS manager Where To Study Are you interested in studying an IS course? Rather than simply enrolling for a short course, why not position yourself for success by completing a degree programme? But don’t just choose any degree, a Belgium Campus iTversity degree will help you stand out above the rest. Belgium Campus’ Bachelor of IT degree not only focusses on IS modules but also provides foundational knowledge in the fields of software engineering and business intelligence. The programme consists of three years of academic training, during which you will cover an extensive range of topics, from mobile and wireless networks to artificial intelligence and intelligent systems. You will be transformed into a complete professional who is ready to lead, not only in this field but in a variety of interesting fields anywhere in the world! Visit the qualifications section on our website to learn more or give us a call at 010 593 5368. Our career advisors would be happy to help you make the right choice for your future.