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In alignment with its vision of becoming an impactful, technology-infused African university, WSU is leading a science driven initiative aimed at bridging the skills gap in the Eastern Cape.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences negotiated a partnership with NTG Solutions to provide a scarce-skills training programme for about 150 unemployed young persons from the communities of Mthatha and the surrounding areas.
Faculty of Natural Sciences Dean, Professor Albert Thembinkosi Modi, said: “About 82% of the beneficiaries of the year-long course are WSU alumni; 60% of the total are women. The programme is funded by the national Department of Employment and Labour. The primary objective is to provide artificial intelligence (AI) skills for the management of data related to the environment, business, decision making and strategic planning.
To get the programme running, Prof Modi and Nyawa Dikwayo, Director of NTG Solutions, signed a Memorandum of Agreement which was approved by WSU’s Vice Chancellor & Principal, Prof Rushiela Nolundi Songca.
Programme beneficiaries will receive a R3000 monthly travel and subsistence stipend to study full time towards an NQF Level 5 qualification.
“Linked to the skills development is the commitment to expose beneficiaries to Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and confirmation of employment in government and the private sector months after completion of the course,” said Modi.
Modi added that the long-term strategic goal of WSU is to establish a Short Learning Programme in Data Science to broaden the impact to national and continental levels.
“The Faculty of Natural Sciences is excited to be part of a programme that seeks to develop active citizens for the benefit of our communities, Eastern Cape and the nation. The faculty is committed to making this programme a success and that it leads to a good legacy for WSU into the future,” said Modi.
Both WSU and NTG Solutions are confident that this partnership will serve as a model for future collaborations aimed at addressing societal challenges through education and technology.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in WSU's mission to transform lives and communities, reaffirming its role as a key player in the socio-economic development of the Eastern Cape.
By Anita Roji
