At this year’s graduation, the SIC partnership with CUT is also celebrating the fact that 16 out of the 21 students have already secured employment, while five (5) of these graduates have opted to further their studies. This is a key milestone in this partnership and a confirmation of how this SIC programme has successfully managed to fulfil its main objectives of addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment and the critical skills gap in technology and innovation.

Since November 2022, when the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Samsung and CUT – this SIC programme has been able to equip an overall group of 71 enthusiastic, young participants with in-demand skills in 4IR including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as Coding and Programming (C&P). This second cohort of CUT students that is now graduating with skills in AI; were also part of the cohort that completed Coding and Programming in Python. The programme has been structured in such a way that it includes theoretical learning, practical sessions and capstone projects.

These essential skills that these CUT students have acquired have not only prepared them for the demands of the modern tech industry but have also turned them into a group of eligible young professionals – able to secure permanent employment in the local market. This global SIC programme is in line with the country’s transformation goals outlined in the National Development Plan, the long-term strategic plan for South Africa’s future which aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.

Professor Wendy Setlalentoa, CUT acting Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement said: “We are grateful to Samsung for choosing to partner with our institution and for helping us to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people in South Africa. This partnership is a perfect example of a well-functioning and mutually beneficial Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with tangible examples of how to address youth unemployment and skills development.

“In the last few years, our institution has had the opportunity to play a crucial role in providing the curriculum and training for students in 4IR skills and focus on developing practical skills that have helped prepare our graduates for future careers in innovation and technology space,” added Prof. Setlalentoa.

CUT’s Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT) has also supported the SIC programme by creating an enabling education environment and improving the quality of teaching and learning. Also, CUT students that participated in the SIC programme have now developed stronger problem-solving skills, which are crucial for both career advancement and entrepreneurial pursuits. And furthermore, the institution’s broader emphasis on work-integrated learning and industry exposure has allowed CUT to play an instrumental role in securing jobs for students participating in the SIC programme, primarily through its Careers Office and other key industry partners. Some of the partners who are employers to these employed graduates and their primary activities include: Capacity – Full stack developer in Python; BoxFusion – Junior Data Analyst and Junior Software Engineer respectively; Vodacom – Software Architect; BitCube – Junior Software Developer Associate and Standard Bank – Junior Software Engineer.

One of the top performing students in the graduating cohort, Mpho Macdonald Ramaisa said: “I am overjoyed and exceptionally grateful to have been part of the SIC programme. The programme has equipped me with critical skills, particularly in the tech field and these, have now boosted my confidence in my abilities, given me a clearer career direction and enhanced my innovative thinking skills.

“The majority of us have already secured jobs and this alone, has given us a sense of purpose and accomplishment. For us, access to these in-demand tech skills needed by our local economy and the employment opportunities that we have secured – means that we will be able to create better opportunities for ourselves and our families,” Ramaisa.

The partnership between Samsung and CUT has also seen success in the increase of female representation in the SIC programme as well as in ensuring that graduates have better opportunities in the job market or entrepreneurship space. The gender split in this graduating cohort is as follows: 52% female representation.

Lefa Makgato, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Samsung Electronics in Southern Africa said: “We are very proud of what this partnership has achieved since inception; and how well its accomplishments align with the country’s vision 2030 goals.

Importantly, this collaboration with CUT has also ensured that these students are now equipped with skills to contribute to the digital economy. But most importantly, in conjunction with CUT – we have now been able to accomplish Samsung’s education vision which centres around fostering future technological leaders and ICT entrepreneurs by providing accessible and engaging learning experiences that integrate technology and real-world application.”

Samsung recently celebrated the increase in female representation, a perfectly balanced 50/50 gender split in the second cohort of students that graduated from the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme in partnership with Central University of Technology (CUT).

For Samsung, measurable impact which includes female representation has always been at the centre of Samsung’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. Samsung’s report that is focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of its CSR initiatives in South Africa, has confirmed that its SIC programme has managed to provide students in various tertiary institutions including CUT – with critical skills that are relevant to the local economy, essentially grooming candidates to become fit for employment^*.

The electronics giant has gone a step further and had genuine conversations with five female beneficiaries out of the group of 26 students that graduated in the second cohort of the CUT-SIC programme, in an effort to ascertain its impact on their lives, both personally and career wise. These female students confirmed what is in the Samsung report and attested to the fact that the CUT-SIC programme has indeed enhanced their knowledge of coding, programming and AI. Also, they elaborated on how this experience has broadened their minds, increased their skills relevance and facilitated the opportunity to even start their own businesses^*.

Below is what this group of enthusiastic graduates had to say when they were given an opportunity to share their experience in the CUT-SIC programme:

Divine Ripfumelo Mhlongo who hails from Polokwane in Limpopo – is a third year Computer Networking student at CUT that is located in the Free State. She secured a place into the SIC programme after passing the selection test. Mhlongo said that was the beginning of her journey and it has been nothing but amazing.

“I have now learnt a new programming language and I’ve had an opportunity to dive deep into AI and machine learning, which I have been curious about for a very long time. My life was focused on Computer Networking because it is all I knew and I wanted to start my career in that field. However, when I was part of the SIC programme – I started to understand how big the technology world is and loved the idea of venturing into something new. I’ve also gained some much needed, advanced problem-solving skills.”

Mhlongo is now convinced that her life has changed for the better since joining this programme. Combined with her keen dedication for learning, she feels that she has learnt a lot of things which include skills in Python, AI and Machine Learning. Also, she believes that there are more job opportunities that she can now venture into.

Originally from Kroonstad, Victoria Nthabiseng Nketu – a postgraduate masters’ student in information technology at CUT that is focusing on AI – saw the SIC programme advertised. She registered, wrote an entry test and was accepted. Before the SIC programme, she said that she had little knowledge about Python but has now acquired knowledge about this high-level programming language as well as how and where to apply it.

She added: “The programme has helped me a lot in my studies as I have now applied some of the skills I have learnt from SIC to my system – Natural Processing Language. Also, as a Masters’ student with AI as my main topic – this programme has definitely made my academic life easier. As much as I’m required to read articles to research about my topic, the SIC programme has taught me how to apply the knowledge I’ve gained into the system that I’m developing.”

Also, Nketu believes that with AI experts needed globally, there are now many job opportunities, as the world is slowly but surely changing into using AI systems in everyday life.  She is therefore advising young people to invest in skills such as Python as it is the common language used in AI, so that they can have more opportunities in the industry. She is convinced that with these kinds of skills, our youth will also be able to open their own businesses and make an impact in the world.

Another passionate, final year Computer Networking student at CUT – Lenechia Cloete from Namaqualand Steinkopf, said that she heard about the SIC programme through her University. Like others, she applied and wrote a selection test that she passed and was then chosen to be one of the 26 students to take part in the SIC programme.

Cloete explained: “Before joining the SIC programme, I was very passionate about technology but I lacked practical experience and confidence in my coding abilities. The programme has taught me valuable skills, particularly in Python. I also developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills and this has been quite valuable. After completing the first part of the SIC programme, which focuses mainly on programming, I now feel much more prepared for the job market.”

Also, Cloete is of the view that her coding skills have improved significantly and that she now has a better understanding of how to apply them in a professional setting. Importantly, she also noted proudly that she has spoken to two companies about her internship opportunities for when she graduates and after telling them about the SIC programme, she received some very positive feedback. She believes that this is a direct result of the skills and confidence she gained through the programme.

Cloete is also encouraging youth to not be afraid to take the leap into the technology field as it is the future. She is of the opinion that technology is an ever-growing field with endless possibilities and that programmes like SIC will provide a lot of youth with knowledge to succeed and tools to make the possibilities of job opportunities even better. She added: “Thanks to the SIC programme, I now feel more equipped to pursue a successful career in networking.”

Maneo Ntseliseng Ramahlosi who is born and bred in Maseru, Lesotho is now busy with final touches on her Masters’ dissertation. After applying for the programme, she made it as one of the 26 successful candidates that passed the entry test into CUT-SIC. Before the SIC programme, she said: “I was not much of a programmer. I have now gained confidence with my programming skills as well as the use of AI.

“In all honesty, as much as my life has not significantly changed after the completion of the SIC programme, because I was still focused on completing my Masters. I have now gained an interest in the use and application of AI in our daily lives. The skills I acquired from the course have made me a better contender amongst my peers. Because of this, I would now advise and encourage anyone who has the opportunity to be part of the SIC programme – to grab this wonderful opportunity without hesitation,” added Ramahlosi.

And lastly, Lerato Motsabi from Thaba-Nchu who is currently residing in Bloemfontein is another final-year student studying Information Technology. She became part of the SIC programme after her INT lecturer posted about it – she filled out the forms, passed a selection test in February this year and secured her spot. Before the SIC programme, she said that she was too focused on her studies but did not have much exposure in the tech industry. The SIC programme  has therefore taught her some specific skills such as Programming, Software Development and Python.

Also, Motsabi emphasized: “The SIC programme has sharpened my innovative thinking skills and has given me a broader understanding of the tech field and its applications. Life after the programme has definitely been great! I feel more confident in my abilities and I have a clearer direction for my future.”

She is urging students considering joining these kinds of programmes or pursuing a career in tech to go for it! She concluded by saying: “The SIC programme is an amazing opportunity to learn, grow and network. It could change anyone’s life like it has mine. So, don’t be afraid to take the leap – apply and join the world of technological innovators.”