Belgium Campus Articles

IT University vs Generalist Institution: Making the Right Choice So, you know you want to study IT but aren’t sure whether you should choose a generalist or specialised university. There are several factors to consider, but before we take a look at these, it is important that you first understand the difference between these two types of institutions. Specialised University vs Generalist University An IT university, also known as a specialised university, only offers courses relating to IT. Generalist institutions, on the other hand, provide a range of courses across a variety of disciplines. Choosing a Generalist University There are several benefits to studying at a generalist university, some of which are: Choosing an IT University If you are confident that you want to study IT, here are a few reasons you should strongly consider a specialised university:   Belgium Campus iTversity – An IT University The great thing about the IT university, Belgium Campus, is that although we are a specialised institution, we ensure our students don’t miss out on the interdisciplinary experience and broad career opportunities gained at a generalist university. Although our institution only comprises IT students, we collaborate with a number of local and international universities to expose them to multi-disciplinary and intercultural innovation projects throughout their studies. In addition to the above, IT has become integral to the success of virtually every industry, from health and finance to entertainment and agriculture. Therefore, studying IT will give you the added advantage of not being limited to working solely within the IT field once you graduate – a concern for students who study at other specialised institutions, where the career options related to the specialisation area are more limited. Need More Information? Would you like more information about our IT university or the qualifications we offer? Feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call on 010 593 5368.

Building Blocks of IT: Study End User Computing As a student or at work – beginner or professional – your first experience with computing usually involves using the following programmes: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Using these programmes is often your first step towards learning how to use a computer, so an opportunity to study end user computing can ultimately develop your IT skills even further.  To study end user computing means learning the foundational technologies that help you be more efficient in using computers. When you study to become an IT professional, any solid, practical understanding of Microsoft applications gained through the study of end user computing can be an effective building block for becoming a better end user.   Why Study End User Computing? In today’s digital era, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills are essential for professionals across every industry. With an online work environment fast becoming an integral part of our lives, a chance to study end user computing will help you become more versatile and efficient when working independently or remotely.    When you study end user computing and gain a better understanding of Microsoft applications, it can boost your communication, data management, and presentation skills, making you a better student and future IT professional. Understand More About IT When You Study End User Computing Choosing to study end user computing will help you build your technical abilities to better utilise computer applications for everyday tasks without relying on IT support. You will gain a solid foundation in understanding software that is globally used in most modern workplaces.  So, what are the benefits of choosing to study end user computing, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint? Study End User Computing to Master Microsoft Word Microsoft Word is a word-processing software that allows you to create and format professional documents. By learning the fundamentals of Word when you study end user computing, you can: Study End User Computing to Excel at Microsoft Excel Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application that provides comprehensive tools for data analysis and information management. Proficiency in Excel gained through the study of end user computing will teach you to: Study End User Computing to Go Visual with Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft PowerPoint is presentation software that lets you create visually appealing and engaging designs. Understanding the basic design functions of PowerPoint through the study of end user computing will give you the skills to: Study End User Computing at Belgium Campus iTversity Study end user computing as part of the first-year curricula of a Diploma in Information Technology at Belgium Campus iTversity and gain the building blocks for a successful future. Choosing to study end user computing as part of this qualification will help you perform essential word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks with ease and confidence, which will enhance your communication skills, boost your efficiency, enable effective data analysis, and develop your creativity. You will gain a comprehensive introduction to computer literacy skills that will guide you during your studies, building a strong foundation to achieve your final qualification and better use your IT skills in the job market. Are You Ready to Study End User Computing? Get the skills necessary to excel in today’s technologically driven world by choosing to study end user computing at Belgium Campus iTversity. As a student and future IT professional, developing this skill set as part of your qualification will open a wealth of prospects in the job marketplace.   Learn how you can study end user computing as part of Belgium Campus’ Diploma in Information Technology by calling 010 593 5361 or emailing [email protected].

Why You Should Study Information Systems Every organisation is looking for ways to improve their operations and gain a competitive edge. In today’s technological world, business knowledge alone is not enough to achieve this. Standing out in the modern business landscape requires a combination of business knowledge and technological expertise. An information systems study programme will equip you with this combination and the knowledge and skills to leverage it to achieve business goals, making you a highly sought-after professional. In this article, we look at some of the different types of business information systems, where you should study to become skilled in this field, and the numerous career opportunities that will become available to you once you do. Types of Information Systems As previously mentioned, information systems and professionalswho can work with them are crucial to the success of modern businesses. Below are some examples of the most common business information systems you may be required to work with if you study within this field. Other, and perhaps more exciting, systems a course of study in this field should equip you to work with include those related to artificial intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, IoT, Blockchain, virtual reality, and cybersecurity. Information Systems Careers Choosing to study information systems will give you access to a wide range of exciting career opportunities across both the business and technology sectors. Below are just some of the lucrative and rewarding careers that students who study within this field end up in: Where To Study Regardless of the career you have your eyes on, Belgium Campus iTversity is a great place to study within this field. We are well-known in the South African industry for producing work-ready graduates, and our commitment to academicexcellence will ensure you receive a world-class study experience. Each course of study we provide is of the highest academic standard and includes at least one or two information systems modules. However, if you are looking for a course with a stronger focus on this field, you should study our 3-year Bachelor of Information Technology degree. Need More Information? Would you like to learn more about any of our courses of study or the information systems modules you will study as part of them? Contact us at [email protected] or on 010 593 5368, and a member of our team will help you choose the best course of study for you.

Boost Your Career with a Web Programming Course Tim Berners-Lee, Brendan Eich, and Håkon Wium Lie are all pioneers of web programming who helped develop the efficient, easy-to-use doorway to the internet. HTML, JavaScript, and CSS are the fundamental layers of web programming for creating any webpage. This is a brief history of web programming, with much more to learn at Belgium Campus iTversity. Consider a Course in Web Programming Understanding web programming is understanding how theinternetworks, and completing a course in this field is vital for a successful career in IT. With the high demand for skilled developers and vast opportunities in the field, a course specifically focused on web development can be a valuable step towards a bright future. What is a web programming course, what can you learn from such a course, and how can it benefit your career? What is a Web Programming Course? A course in programming for the web teaches you the skills and knowledge for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and internet applications, as well as learning coding languages and online development tools. It also teaches front-end (how a webpage looks on the internet) and back-end (data processing and administration of a webpage) development, offering a holistic understanding of the development process. Whatever your degree or diploma, a web programming course advances as you learn more, evolving a complete understanding of its uses for theinternet.  What Can a Course in Web Programming Teach You? As part of a degree or diploma, web programming offers an understanding of various webpage development languages and technologies. Key areas of a course in this field include: Benefits of a Web Programming Course Becoming a well-rounded web programmer develops your IT career by offering the following:   Take a Web Programming Course at Belgium Campus iTversity A course specifically focused on web development, as part of an IT degree or diploma, can be a catalyst for a successful IT career.   At Belgium Campus, web programming forms an integral part of two industry-relevant IT degrees: Bachelor of Computing and Bachelor of Information Technology. With either course, you will gradually learn world-class skills in this field, alongside other crucial IT knowledge. A course in web programming also forms part of the National Certificate: Information Technology (Systems Development) and Certificate: Information Technology (Database Development) qualifications. Essential skills from building websites, developing internet applications, and solving complex challenges can unlock opportunities and career paths in web design and programming in an ever-expanding digital economy, and it starts with a web programming course at Belgium Campus.   For more on a specific course offered by Belgium Campus iTversity to boost your skills and your career, call 010 593 5361 or email [email protected].

IT Courses with International Collaboration Opportunities Thanks to rapid technologicaladvancement, our world continues to become more and more connected. This growing connectedness has made it necessary for higher educationinstitutions to provide international collaboration opportunities as part of their courses to prepare studentsto succeed in an increasingly globalised world. In this article, we look at the benefits of international collaboration in IT courses, share which courses at Belgium Campus iTversity provide it, and give examples of recent international projects our IT students have worked on. Benefits of IT Courses with International Collaboration International collaboration enhances all courses but can be especially beneficial for students who are studying IT for several reasons, some of which include: Belgium Campus IT Courses At Belgium Campus iTversity, we understand the importance of international collaboration experience. All our courses allow students to work on real-world IT projects with international peers. These projects range from entirely virtual to hybridand in-person collaborations where we host students from abroad or our IT students travel abroad to visit our partner institutions. Recent International Projects Offered as Part of Our Courses Penn State Collaboration Earlier this year, some of our IT students partnered with students from Penn State University to build a DIY educational hydroponics kit. The aim of the kit was to educate primary school learners about the importance of sustainable nutrition and how the knowledge gained from engineering courses can be used to promote it.   The collaboration started online before the Penn State students joined our students at our Pretoria campus to implement the necessary software and finish constructing the system. At the end of their visit, the prototype was presented to a group of learners at Spa Park Primary School in Bela Bela. The learners showed keen interest in pursuing IT and engineering courses and provided helpful feedback, which helped our students make some final adjustments before their final presentation. International Week We recently held our international week, which is open to students studying any of our IT courses. During this week, we were joined by several students studying IT courses abroad who worked with our IT students to develop innovative solutions to South Africa’s energy crisis. Their solutions ranged from using kinetic energy produced by people in dance clubs to generate electricity to IoT and AI systems that monitor household electricity usage to allow consumers to experience load shedding and get billed based on their household’s consumption. Need More Information About Our IT Courses? Would you like more information about the IT courses we offer or the international collaboration projects you can work on as part of them? Feel free to contact us at [email protected].

We Include Computer Architecture in EveryIT Course Although extensive computer architecture knowledge is not necessary for every IT career, all IT professionals should study a course that gives them at least a basic understanding of computer architecture to perform their roles effectively. In this article, we will explain why this is the case, what exactly computer architecture is, and which course you should study to gain foundational knowledge in this field. What is Computer Architecture? Computer architecture is the study of how the various components of a PC are organised and interact to allow it to function efficiently and effectively. A course in computer architecture will cover each of these components, which include:  A course in computer architecture will give you a sound understanding of how the above components work together to allow a PC to perform various operations. Completing a course in this field will prove beneficial once you enter the working world for several reasons, some of which are listed below. Computer Architecture Course Benefits for IT Professionals Completing a course in computer architecture gives IT professionals an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of PC hardware which helps them to perform the following tasks expertly:  Without computer architecture knowledge, the above tasks can prove much more challenging. Which Computer Architecture Course to Study At Belgium Campus iTversity, we understand how important foundational knowledge in computer architecture is, which is why each course at our institution includes computer architecture as a core module in the first year. By doing this, we ensure that regardless of the course our students choose, they can rest assured that they will not miss out on this crucial knowledge. Need Course Information? Are you interested in finding out more about a specific Belgium Campus iTversity course or the computer architecture module offered as part of it? Feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us on 010 593 5368. Our career advisors are always on hand and would be more than happy to help you choose a course that best suits your immediate needs and, of course, your goals for the future.

How To Find Top Information Technology Courses. If you are looking for an institution with the best information technology courses, you have probably been doing a lot of research, and that’s great. Research is crucial to narrowing down your choices and making a well-informed decision. However, when it comes time to make a final decision, research alone won’t cut it. You need to visit the institution you are interested in to see first-hand if it is a good fit for you and if what you have seen online matches reality. What’s the best way to do this? By attending an open day! What Is an Open Day? Open days are events held by educational institutions where prospective students are invited to visit to experience what studying there would be like. Although the activities at an open day vary depending on the institution, most open days include a tour of the campus grounds, including facilities and residences, a detailed breakdown of the institution’s academic offerings, a question-and-answer session, and an opportunity to interact with members of the institution, including students, faculty staff and career advisors. Belgium Campus iTversity Belgium Campus iTversity is a private higher education institution specialising in world-class information technology courses. We have campuses in Pretoria, Stellenbosch, and Kempton Park and host at least three open days at each of our campuses each year. Belgium Campus iTversity Open Days The field of information technology is bursting with opportunities for those who can master it. We see our open days as the perfect chance to showcase these opportunities and how our courses allow students to graduatewith thefirst pick of them. In addition to what’s standard at most open days, our open days feature exciting techinnovations, including object-tracking drones, racing robot cars, and a cake-cutting robot! Prospects can also look forward to learning about the numerous industries that rely on IT through the real-world projects our students work on with peers from leading international universities. These projects include life-saving softwaredeveloped for a BMW X3, custom drones for Lockheed Martin, and even smart farming solutionsfor local communities. What’s more? We host our career days on the same days as our open days to allow prospects to witness the high demand for our students. Our career days are events where representatives from top organisations visit our campus to recruit skilled IT interns, who, more often than not, receive permanent job offers and become indispensable employees.  Now, you may be thinking, this sound too good to be true. Well, don’t take our word for it. We invite you to attend one of our open days to come and see for yourself! Attending an Open Day Our open days take place on Saturdays between 9am and 1pm. You can view the dates for our upcoming open days and book your space to attend at www.belgiumcampus.ac.za/open-day/.   Would you like further details about our open days or information technology courses? Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or on 010 593 5368. 

Our IT Qualifications Will Make You Sought-After. Are you considering studying IT? One thing you should keep in mind is how the courseyou choose will help you navigate the global skills gap. What is the global skills gap? In this article, we will answer this question, address how the course you choose will determine whether the skills gap affects your career negatively or positively, and share which higher education institution will help you use the skills gap to your advantage. What Is a Skills Gap? A skills gap refers to the mismatch between the skills employers need and those job candidates possess. This mismatch results in a shortage of skilled workers, making it difficult for employers to find the talent they need and for candidates to find employment. To put this into perspective, according to the World Economic Forum, the global IT skills shortage could result in 85 million unfilled jobs by 2030. What Causes a Skills Gap? There are many reasons for a skills gap, including a lack of diversity in the workforce, a lack of investment in education, and the emigration of skilled people to countries with more opportunities, etc. However, today we will focus on a factor that affects educationalinstitutions and, consequently, you as a prospective student. This factor is the rapid advancement of technology. Rapid technological advancement makes it extremely difficult for educational institutions to adapt their curriculumto meet the changing needs of the industry, but doing so is crucial to addressing the skills gap by equipping students with the skills necessary to receive employment. Unfortunately, not all educational institutions are willing to put in the work needed to achieve this. Institutions that fall short in this regard produce graduates who struggle to land a job after spending years studying an outdated curriculum. With the above in mind, when choosing between IT qualifications, ensure you ask the relevant institutions how they address the skills gap to ensure their graduates are not just employable but sought-after. Qualifications That Address the Skills Gap At Belgium Campus iTversity, we understand how important it is to provide qualifications that address the skills gap. Our commitment to this goal is evidenced by the mission our institution was founded to fulfil – addressing South Africa’s widening skills gap and ensuring that all graduates are employable in an evolving economic environment. We regularly update our curriculum in collaboration with top organisations and have become known for producing top-tier graduates. Our relationship with the industry ensures our students graduate with a set of skills that not only meet the needs of the current job market but also provide the building blocks needed for lifelong learning -a crucial skill for tech professionals.   Need More Information? Would you like more information about our industry-relevant qualifications and how they will help you use the IT skills gap to your advantage? Call us on 010 593 5368 or email us at [email protected], and we will help you become a sought-after professional.

Leading IT Courses in South Africa. Are you in South Africa and considering studyinginformationtechnology? You are making a brilliant choice for several reasons, including the following: The above factors combined will give you access to countless rewarding career opportunities and provide the necessary support to start your own business, should you wish.  Choosing an Information Technology Qualification With the above in mind, there are plenty of IT courses to choose from in South Africa. However, like with any field of study, it is crucial to do thorough research to select a qualification that meets your specific needs and provides the best possible future.  In the remainder of this article, we will take you through some key factors to consider when choosing which qualification to study. We will also showcase how we provide IT courses that meet various needs and provide the perfect foundation for a successful future. Accreditation The first thing to ensure when choosing a qualification in South Africa is that the institution where it is being offered is accredited. Accreditation guarantees that an institution is recognised by the relevant independent governing boards and agencies and meets their education standards. You don’t have to worry about this with Belgium Campus iTversity. All our IT courses are accredited by the CHE and registered with the SAQA. The importance of this extends further than the quality of educationyou will receive during your studies, as most employees favour candidates with accredited qualifications over those with non-accredited ones. Your Specific Needs The second thing to consider is whether the programmes offered at an institution meet your specific needs. This could be in relation to your budget, time constraints, or what you hope to achieve once you complete your studies. At Belgium Campus iTversity, we offer a range of IT courses to meet various needs.   Our 1-year certificateprogrammes are perfect for people who want to gain the necessary skills to enter the working world quickly or to qualify for further studies. Our 3-year Diplomain Information Technology offers a wide range of industry-relevant specialisations that will allow you to discover your niche. Our 4-year Bachelor of Computing degree is a brilliant choice for people who want to build a rewarding career in the information technology sector and aren’t afraid to put in the necessary study time. We also offer a part-time Bachelor of Information Technology degree for working professionals in South Africa looking to upskill. The Opportunities on Offer The final factor to consider, and possibly the most important, is what additional opportunities a programme of study offers. These shouldn’t just be any opportunities but opportunities that will make you stand out when you enter the highly competitive job market. At Belgium Campus iTversity, internationalcollaborations with leadinginstitutions and work experience at top companies in South Africa are just some of the spectacular opportunities we offer as part of our IT courses. Ready To Make Your Choice? Are you ready to choose a studyprogramme that meets your needs and provides the best possible future? Belgium Campus iTversity is the institution you should contact. Call us on 010 593 5368, email us at [email protected], or stop by any of our campuses, and we will help you choose the right path.  

Study Our Diploma – Specialise in Cyber Security. We recently revamped our Diploma in IT to give our students access to a range of on-trend specialisations that meet industry needs. One such example is the cyber security specialisation we introduced. In this article, we explore why this is a fantastic field to specialise in and why our Diploma in IT should be thecourse you choose to do this. The Importance of Cyber Security We live in a world driven by technological advancement. Companies continue to leverage digitaltransformation to gain a competitive advantage, and thanks to COVID-19, we saw the swift introduction of even more technologiesto support the need for remote work. This rapid and continuous transformation leaves organisations vulnerable to cyber attacks because it increases the avenues available to access their computernetworks. Hackers use various tactics to gain unauthorised access to computersystems to exploit the datathey contain. They use this data in many malicious ways, including for identity theft, blackmail, or to disrupt business operations. Regardless of the intent, these attacks can prove detrimental to an organisation leading to severe financial loss or irreparable reputational damage. Why Study Our Diploma in IT The cyber security specialisation our Diploma in IT provides covers two pertinent subjects that will make you an expert at safeguarding organisations from online threats. These subjects are penetration testing and ethical hacking. Penetration Testing Penetration testers are hired by organisations to evaluate thesafetyof a specific systemor group of systems. They do this using a range of hacking techniques predetermined by their client. There are five main penetration testing phases that you will be required to study during this subject. These include:  Reconnaissance: collecting as much information as possible about the chosen system(s) to plan the best way to attack it. Scanning: using various methods to identify all the possible avenues a hackercould use to access the chosen system(s). Vulnerability Assessment: using the information from the first 2 phases to pinpoint possible vulnerabilities and decide whether they are at risk of exploitation. Exploitation: trying to access the chosen system(s) to take advantage of the vulnerabilities identified. Reporting: compiling a report for the client detailing the findings from the test. Ethical Hacking Ethical hacking is much broader than penetration testing. Unlike penetration testers, who are restricted to the specific systems and methods the client requests, ethical hackers use a variety of hacking techniques to assess an organisation’s overall security. Ethical hackers delve into the mind of a hacker to identify vulnerabilities in a computernetwork or system. However, unlike hackers who access organisational data without permission and with malicious intent, ethical hackers have permission from the organisation and use their findings to make improvements that safeguard this data. Students who study this subject learn the skills to perform ethical hacking on networks, applications,servers, and web applications. Need More Information? Would you like more informationabout this course of study? Feel free to send us an email at [email protected].