STUDENTS OBTAIN CERTIFICATES IN CODING AND AI FROM PARTNERSHIP WITH SAMSUNG

Excitement abounded as the third cohort of final-year WSU Information Technology students received their just rewards on Thursday, March 13, following their certification after completing the WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus programme.

The programme, which began in 2022 with an initial enrollment of 25 students, has seen at least 75 students over the past three years gain valuable knowledge and insights into the essential skills of artificial intelligence and basic coding.

"For us at Samsung, the need to invest in this province and the country's youth is immediate and very critical. We are determined to provide these leaders of tomorrow with the kind of support that creates a ripple effect of quality education and job creation, while also creating life-long learning for all," said Samsung Africa CEO and President, Simon Lee.

Addressing a modest gathering at the Blue Lagoon Hotel in East London on Thursday, 13 March, the Samsung head said the number of students, and the enthusiasm shown by the participants over the years was a testament to how important and impactful the WSU-Samsung Campus innovation program has become.

To further emphasize the impact of the WSU-Samsung partnership, Lee mentioned that since its inception, the flagship agreement has aimed to contribute to the national directive of producing work-ready and employable graduates over the last four years.

The head of Samsung remarked on the growing number of students participating in the WSU-Samsung Campus Innovation Programme. He noted that the enthusiasm displayed by participants over the years is a testament to theProgramme’s significance and impact.

He said Samsung, together with the University, remains committed to the objective of preparing young people for careers in the technology field by teaching them technical and soft skills.

"These important skills that the graduates have acquired through this intervention include the use of AI tools and other key platforms that are important to our local economy. With these critical skills, these graduates can now effectively maximize the benefits of new and exciting emerging technologies in their future careers," said Lee.

Upon his invitation, WSU Advanced Diploma in Information Technology graduate, Lazola Leonardo Mbangatha, chronicled his exciting and enriching journey as a participant and eventual graduate of the WSU-Samsung Campus Innovation Programme in 2023.

For the aspiring entrepreneur, the benefits of the intervention were two-fold: it fundamentally impacted his studies and informed his aspirations as a businessman after graduating from university.

"Participating in this programme helped me quite a lot especially in my studies because I was a step ahead due to learning Python before enrolling for my advanced diploma. It also helped me in my research where I investigated AI integration in mobile applications," said Mbangatha.

It was during his studies that he would be inspired to start his own business which would see him developing applications that have advanced features of AI integration to make mobile applications more user-friendly.

Founded in 2024, his business, Zero Technologies, focuses on cyberspace by integrating AI into cybersecurity and the basics of software development.

“What I love most about IT and the advancement in IT is how it makes one feel. Developing software from scratch is being like a god. You write code, you define something and you watch something come to life and indeed the possibilities are endless," said Mbangatha.

Noma Nota, the manager of the WSU Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator, praised the day's events as a significant occasion.

She stated that the ceremony was a testament to the institution’s commitment to embrace innovation in educating and shaping graduates who not only adapt to change but also lead it.

“Today’s graduates are problem-solvers, trailblazers, and visionaries who will push boundaries in their respective fields, uplift communities, and contribute to the progress of our nation and beyond. Class of 2024, this ceremony is more than just an event; it is a defining moment in your journey. As you step forward into the world, carry with you the values of integrity, resilience, and creativity that have been instilled in you here,” concluded Nota.

By Thando Cezula