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Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are rapidly altering the ways in which we interact and work, linking communities and workers in increasingly sophisticated ways and opening new opportunities. Simply put, AI has become a new language, one that individuals must master to play above the technological ‘hoop’. Websites have become a platform of communication amongst a large number of communities around the globe. They are a significant tool for creating additional communication and advertising platforms for organisations. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened up many opportunities in the IT industry, such as the emergence of the fifthgeneration technology (5G). It has also increased the demand for web development and the growth of social media platforms. It is notable that technology can never replace the human touch, but it can enhance human connections. This evolution has enabled people to connect with others and transact with businesses through the internet to remain safe during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The availability of smart tech and easy-to-use sites make it simple for people across the globe to stay connected. Businesses need more innovative ways to remain functional and make people aware of the services and/or products they are offering. Furthermore, businesses must understand the relevance and necessity to purchase or use those products which identify as the company’s specialisation – setting them apart from their competitors. The above are some of the reasons why studying a course in web development has become a viable career option. This type of work is not only limited to the creationof websites for large businesses, but also for the creation of website applications for small businesses. While the success of these sites is greatly dependent on what the developer must get right, the bottom line is that the user must experience satisfaction and ease of use. Some of the intricate aspects to master are device compatibility, browser consistency, effective navigation, reasonable load times and well-formatted content. Studying a course in Web Development can place you in the vanguard of inventors and, based on the success of your sites, you can be highly sought after as humans’ reliance on computing systems continues to grow.

Friday, 26 March marked the fourth annual 24-hour international virtual hackathon, Hack the Waste. Kicking off at midday, this year’s event saw 64 students from across the world come together to generate solutions for the benefit of the planet. We were proud to have seven IT degree students representing our iTversity at the event, 3 of whom formed part of the 2nd and 3rd place teams.    Other participating institutions included Avans University of Applied Sciences and Fontys University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands), Institut Paul Lambin and UCLL University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), BA School of Business and Finance (Latvia), University College of Northern Denmark (Denmark) and Universidade Estadual Paulista (Brazil). In addition to being from a range of different countries, this year’s participating students also came from a range of disciplines including information technology, management, finance, accounting, marketing and business innovation, etc.    Divided into 8 multicultural, multidisciplinary teams, these students were tasked with developing solutions to solve a waste problem pitched by leading European waste management company, Renewi. The challenge: develop innovative ways to motivate SMEs in densely populated areas to separate their waste. By combining the strengths of each discipline and adopting a multicultural mindset, the students were able to generate a range of holistic solutions which greatly impressed the Renewi representatives. Read on to learn about the top 3 solutions our IT degree students helped develop in just 24 hours!     Top 3 Solutions  1st Place: Hack4change The winners came up with an information platform to educate Renewi clients about recycling and motivate them to better sort their waste. The platform features shocking waste statistics and a virtual recycling calculator which allows clients to calculate their company’s recycling efforts. Companies who perform well receive a badge that they can place on their website (displaying that they are an eco-friendly company) and companies who perform less well receive tips and tricks from Renewi to better optimise their recycling efforts.    2nd Place: The Trash Busters  Belgium Campus IT degree students: Shammah Nhlabathi Aimed to simplify the waste sorting process for Renewi and reduce their recycling costs by encouraging their SME clients to clean their waste. SMEs and their employees are encouraged to do this with the use of a fun and educational challenge platform which tracks who cleans the most waste in order to award top achievers. Employees are awarded incentives while companies are awarded medals which they can use for self-promotion on their respective platforms. Employees who perform well also have the added advantage of a reduced service cost from Renewi.    3rd Place: The Green Hackers Belgium Campus IT degree students: David Maila and Zander Rosslee Developed a reward system that allows SMEs to accumulate points through proper waste sorting. Each client is given a unique, mobile-based QR code which is scanned by Renewi at the time of waste collection (once proper waste sorting has been confirmed). Clients gain points each time their QR code is scanned and are awarded certificates that indicate their business’s level of sustainability based on the total number of points they have accumulated.    Also impressed by this year’s solutions was Businet representative and president of the hackathon jury, David Taylor, who commented, “The standard this year was very, very good. It wasn’t an easy decision to decide the winning team.” We are extremely proud of our IT degree students and we are honoured to be part of a network of international institutions collaborating to create thoughtful leaders capable of driving real and sustainable change. Learn more about the hackathon and each team’s solution: https://hackthewaste.com  

Incessant constructions and reconstructions in information technology keep the world evolving. It is these continual restructurings that ensure that developers have a great foundation to work from when developing applications that are relevant and usable.   The market demand for the building of reliable and efficient systems is very high and continually growing due to the demands of modern-day life. These systems greatly benefit and improve today’s society and it is through the creativity of software engineering that these systems come to be.    A course in this specialised IT component is a great platform to ensure that information technology architecture evolves with the world’s trends, which prevents stagnation and ensures relevance. It is the establishment of the simplest to the most complex technologies that provides every nook and cranny with access to the digital world and improves the general quality of life.   Health and e-commerce are just two of the industries where the benefits of these systems can be seen and enjoyed. Reliable and efficient healthcare systems have been built to speedily and accurately collect and process health data to provide immeasurable possibilities for clear-cut diagnosis and disease control (prevention and cure). The current COVID-19 pandemic, in its course, further highlights the profound effect advanced health technology can have on the preservation of human life. It is with the power of software engineering that these systems can be built.   The ongoing risk of the pandemic and fear of the anticipated ‘third wave’ compel people to mask up, sanitise and exercise social distancing, making the e-lifestyle the inevitable way to go. It is predicted that e-commerce will double post-COVID-19 and with that comes a high demand for creative IT interventions to satisfy the intensified online competition.   Belgium Campus iTversity is aware of the significant role software engineering plays in today’s increasingly digital world. They offer an excellent course that provides learners with all the necessary skills to become competent professionals. They produce the kind of graduates the world needs to create IT structures that can cause a significant diversion from the challenges the world is currently experiencing.  

Belgium Campus iTversity hosted its first open day of the year on Saturday, 17 April 2021. It was a hybrid event, allowing prospects from across the globe to experience first-hand the exceptional IT courses this higher education institution in South Africa provides. These include a Bachelor of Computing, a Bachelor of Information Technology, a Diploma in Information Technology, a Higher Certificate in Systems Development and a Higher Certificate in Database Development. International prospects attended the event online, while local prospects had the choice to attend online or at any of the institution’s 3 campuses in Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela Bay. The online event was hosted via the institution’s unique interactive online platform, HybeFlex, which allowed virtual attendees to get the same in-person feeling as those who attended face-to-face. Belgium Campus also makes use of this platform to host its online classes which are attended by students from all over the world. It was a jam-packed day featuring campus tours, real-world student project presentations (including a vertical farming robot and automation for BMW), and exciting workshops on mobile and web programming, game development and machine learning. Attendees were also given a taste of the institution’s vibrant student life, an introduction to their dedicated programme for Deaf students and one-on-one assistance with the application process.  If you missed the event, don’t panic! The open day platform, featuring recordings of all the event workshops and presentations, is still available for you to explore at the following link: Open Day. Alternatively, contact Belgium Campus directly at [email protected] or +2710 593 5368 for more information about studying top IT courses in South Africa. 

With the academic procession adding masks to their academic regalia, this year’s academic opening ceremony took place a little differently than usual. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a hybrid ceremony was held to ensure the safety of all attendees. Despite the majority of guests having to attend online, our IT college community did not disappoint! We were pleased to be able to come together as academia, industry, government, students, parents and alumni to share this celebratory occasion.  The official opening of the academic year is a tradition we take great pride in and one which we have practised since our inception in 1999. It provides an opportunity for us to look back on our achievements and share our vision for the future with all our stakeholders.  This year we were honoured to be joined in person by distinguished guest speakers H.E. Mr Vanderhasselt, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium and Mr Mabizela, Chief Director at the Department of Higher Education. We were also joined online by First Digital Managing Director, Mr Kendall, Belgium Campus Alumni Board Chair, Mr Masunika and Belgium Campus Chairman, Mr Rombouts, who joined the celebration from his home in Belgium.  This year’s ceremony not only allowed us to reflect on what we have achieved over the past 22 years, but also to reflect on the many new challenges the last year presented.  “The COVID shock taught us to build uncertainty and flexibility in our development. We saw the need to reorganise the physical aspects of our campus and our campus life, and we rerouted programmes enabling distance online teaching and learning using new infrastructure and software. We had to change our educational architecture physically and mentally to incorporate a COVID-related reality into our education projects, our values and commit and allocate, and reallocate, our resources.” – Belgium Campus IT College CEO, Enrico Jacobs. Adapting to the new normal and building resilience were common themes during the night’s speeches and all guest speakers commended our IT college community for remaining resilient and adapting for the benefit of all students and society at large.  “The Belgium Campus – students, parents and staff alike – has been able to reinvent itself. You can be proud of your campus for everything which has been done to contain the pandemic and ensure at the same time that you receive quality education.” – H.E. Mr Vanderhasselt expressed while congratulating new students for choosing our IT college.  He went on to cite academic excellence, global competence, collaboration, inclusivity and social responsibility as other key Belgium Campus values that students should be proud of.   “Thanks to this quality education you will be able to secure a place in the job market quite easily. At the end of your studies, you will be part of the 8% of all IT graduates in South Africa, in that year, helping to shape your county’s future.” Our commitment to academic excellence and the provision of a holistic college education was also acknowledged by Mr Mabizela. He praised our unique approach to education, stating that it ought to be a foundation of social justice in the South African education system at large. “Such an approach works to facilitate the transformation of the higher education system to enable it to contribute to the common good of society through the production, acquisition and application of knowledge, the building of human capacity and the provision of lifelong learning opportunities.” CEO, Enrico Jacobs, acknowledged that the challenges are far from over but assured all attendees that the IT college is proactively preparing for the next new normal, whatever this may look like. “We are doing everything we can to keep loyal to our mission in a new context – delivering skill-apt graduates for the next normal who will promote inclusiveness and diversity, continue to develop intellectually, have an open mindset for growth, challenge the traditional norms, and possess attitudes of thinking creatively, critically and strategically whilst having empathy and care for others.” The event also provided a platform for the introduction of the recently established alumni association. Founded to strengthen the brand of our IT college and increase the opportunities available to our graduates, the association outlined a number of exciting plans for the year ahead. These plans include the establishment of a mentorship programme to further assist upcoming graduates with the studies-to-work transition, regular skillshare events to enrich our collective IT knowledge base, and the raising of funds, via the Belgium Campus Bursary Fund, to assist previously disadvantaged students and widen access to college education. With each speech followed by an uplifting performance by the incredibly talented Mzansi Youth Choir, this year’s academic opening ceremony left guests, and speakers alike, feeling hopeful and excited for the year ahead. The academic year was officially declared open by H.E. Mr Vanderhasselt, who encouraged attendees to “go invent tomorrow instead of worrying about what happened yesterday” – Steve Jobs.  We wish our students, parents, staff and stakeholders the very best for 2021. Let’s tackle this new normal in the manner in which we operate – with excellence! 

With the available information technology positions far outnumbering the supply of qualified candidates, one may assume that the IT job market is a comfortable place to be. This may be true if you are happy settling for any job within this sector. However, if you would like to secure a top position you are going to have to work for it and you will not be without vigorous competition.  With the rapid rate of technological advancement, it is no longer sufficient to simply complete courses and gain qualifications. You will need to keep up with emerging technologies and changing industry needs if you are going to stand out in a sea of qualified candidates.  At Belgium Campus, we work hard to give our students a competitive edge. Our iTversity provides a range of additional learning opportunities which are not available at most higher education institutions, some of which are outlined below:  Additional Academic Opportunities  In addition to the world-class IT courses we offer, our students also have access to a range of masterclasses and certified courses. Our masterclasses cover pertinent IT subjects, including Blockchain, data science and pervasive encryption, and are presented by local and international experts in the field. Our certified courses allow our students to gain professional certifications from leading companies, including IBM and Amazon, in some of the latest software and technologies.  International Collaboration Opportunities   Information technology is global in nature and people working within this field are often required to work on projects that span countries and even continents.  In order to successfully do this, you will need to develop a global mindset, and this can only be achieved by building strong intercultural relationships. At Belgium Campus, we give our students plenty of opportunities to grow through virtual international collaboration projects and study abroad opportunities.  Internship Opportunities In addition to the above, Belgium Campus students also have the incredible opportunity to complete workplace training at top local and international companies. This is possible because of the strong, mutually beneficial relationships we have forged with over 120 local and international companies over the past 22 years. These companies help us maintain a relevant curriculum by keeping us informed about changing industry needs, and in turn, we provide them with industry-ready graduates who are ready to lead in the field.   With the IT industry in a constant state of flux, these additional opportunities make sure our students enter the industry leading the pack. Would you like to find out more about our iTversity and the many opportunities we offer our students? Send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call on 010 593 5368. Don’t settle, choose the institution that will set you up for success. 

Looking for a place to study IT?  Choosing a higher education institution to pursue your studies with is an extremely important, yet challenging task. There are many factors to keep in mind, but one of the best indicators of whether an institution is a good choice is its reputation.  Belgium Campus iTversity is a private higher education institution that is recognised for its exceptional educational offering by members of industry, the government, and renowned international academic institutions. In this short article, we will showcase what makes Belgium Campus a trusted institution by elaborating on its relationship with each of these stakeholders.  Government  Belgium Campus understands that quality education is non-negotiable. The institution works in unison with the South African government and quality assurance bodies to ensure that it provides an education of the highest quality.  The iTversity has successfully maintained its registration with the Department of Higher Education and Training since its first registration in 2003. It has also adhered to the requirements of the Council on Higher Education on the quality of its programmes and its sites of delivery. In addition to the above, Belgium Campus has also enjoyed the active and enthusiastic support of the Belgian Government over the last 22 years. The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Didier Vanderhasselt, frequently visits the iTversity and has expressed his pride in the institution’s ability to adapt to ensure the continued provision of an inclusive, world-class education.  Industry  The name Belgium Campus iTversity carries weight in the IT industry. The institution works closely with leading local and international companies to make sure that its qualifications correspond with changing workplace needs and emerging technologies.  These relationships not only give Belgium Campus students access to funding and internship opportunities, but also allow the institution to produce industry-ready graduates who are not only employable but sought-after.  “Belgium Campus graduates hit the ground running and are able to quickly integrate into our team. They have a profound effect on our ability to effectively service our customers and they are really great to work with.” –  First Digital Managing Director, Robert Kendall.  Academia  Belgium Campus has long-standing relationships with top international universities, including KU Leuven (ranked 7th most-innovative university in the world), UAntwerpen, and University Colleges Leuven Limburg.  Every 5 years the institution and its qualifications are audited by these universities and benchmarked against the accreditation protocol of the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization. The latest audit found Belgium Campus’ Bachelor of Computing to be more advanced than an academic bachelor programme of European standards. By partnering with renowned international universities, Belgium Campus guarantees its students an IT education of international standards, as well as the added perk of study abroad opportunities.  Would you like to study IT at a reputable higher education institution? Apply to study at Belgium Campus today. 

Degree students from Belgium Campus iTversity have partnered with students from Penn State University to construct a small-scale vertical farming robot. The prototype will serve as proof of concept for a full-scale robot capable of navigating a 3-story vertical hydroponic farm, CAN-Agri, in order to automatically plant and harvest crops. Successful automation of this process, which is currently carried out by hand, will result in higher yields per meter square of crops, allowing for continuous and consistent supply to consumers.   In order to achieve this, participating students have been divided into 5 multidisciplinary groups, comprising of both software engineering students from Belgium Campus and mechanical and civil engineering students from Penn State. Each group is responsible for a different component of the robot which will be integrated at the end to create a fully functioning system. The Penn State students will work on all the hardware elements, while the Belgium Campus students develop the software that will be used to control the robot. The groups, and their respective responsibilities, are as follows:   Group 1: Responsible for the seeding mechanism. Group 2: Responsible for the object detection component. Group 3: Responsible for the harvesting mechanism. Group 4: Responsible for the autonomous navigation aspect. Group 5: Responsible for the identification and provision of a cost-effective and sustainable power source.   The project is an entirely virtual collaboration, meaning all the communication and planning between students will take place online. As such, participating students are not only challenged to use their degree knowledge to develop robotics cost-effectively, but also to develop the competencies needed to succeed in today’s increasingly digital/ globalised world.   “This project is challenging us to overcome difficulties including differences in time zones and communication and cultural barriers. This is especially important in the context of the worldwide pandemic where face-to-face interactions are in many cases just not possible. Learning to interact with and develop tolerance for different cultures is preparing us to become engineers and leaders capable of adapting to ensure the success of a project, regardless of the space we find ourselves in.” – Belgium Campus software engineering degree student, David Maila.   The project is currently still in the ideation phase, but the students are set to begin prototyping next week and we are eager to see how the project develops.