The partnership between MUST and Samsung was officiated at the end of 2023, targeting youth on the African continent who are tertiary students or unemployed, with the aim of empowering them to develop their Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills. The SIC programme is aimed at training underserved youths with 21st Century technology knowledge and skills to enable them to stand a better chance of earning a living through employment or business opportunities.

The graduation – a celebration of excellence in technology was attended by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Malawi, Mr Isaac Katopola as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Information Communication Technology Association of Malawi (ICTAM).

The guest of honour at the graduation, Mr Katopola outlined how this coding and software development training is contributing directly to job creation, innovation and entrepreneurship in Malawi. He explained how this MUST-SIC programme is in precise alignment with the country’s long-term development vision: “the Human Capital Development and Enablement in Malawi 2063”.

Mr Katopola said: “In today’s world, coding and programming skills are essential because they allow youth to compete in both local and international platforms. The MUST graduates’ ability to code will now open doors to global markets, entrepreneurship and innovation. These skills will enable these Malawian young people to become problem solvers, innovators and creators rather than just consumers of any technology that is available to them.

“This coding training is an enabler and a significant contributor to the attainment and realisation of Malawi’s development vision. He added that this vision is dependent on well educated, high skilled and innovative work force. And by equipping young people with digital skills and programming knowledge, we are all ensuring that they can actively participate in 4IR and drive technological advancement.”

Through the SIC programme, MUST in partnership with Samsung have now had the opportunity to develop 4IR skills by teaching Coding and Programming (C&P) education in Python.

Yolanda Chisi, a SIC beneficiary said: “I’m grateful to both Samsung and MUST for bringing this SIC programme into our country and for providing the unemployed youth of Malawi access to technological advancement. This SIC programme has not only provided us with technical skills in C&P, but also other critical soft skills, such as work readiness, communication and teamwork. These technical and soft skills combined are already helping to promote and turn us into talented young individuals who will shape the future of our society.”

By providing the unemployed youth in Malawi with relevant skills and knowledge, the SIC programme is empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators, poised to drive positive change and economic growth in the country. The inclusion of C&P in education has ensured that the selected individuals are able to learn at their own pace, improve their understanding of key technological concepts as well as develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

MUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Address Malata, added: “As MUST, we feel that our partnership with Samsung is critical to the advancement of both our educators and students’ knowledge, skills and experience. We are, therefore, thrilled to be part of a programme that is playing a vital role in harnessing the talent of Malawi’s youth and ultimately, contributing positively to the development of our future leaders.”

Lefa Makgato, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Samsung Electronics in Southern Africa concluded: “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards empowering communities through education and technology. I am immensely proud of the graduates who have successfully completed the Samsung Innovation Campus program in partnership with MUST. Their achievements serve as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration between industry leaders and local talent.

As we celebrate their accomplishments, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusive growth and bridging the digital divide. By investing in skills development initiatives like this one, we aim to equip young minds with the tools they need to drive positive change and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities”

The award ceremony, held at NUL’s campus, marked the successful completion of an intensive training programme that seeks to equip young minds with cutting-edge skills in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). SIC is part of Samsung’s global initiative that aims to provide young people with the skills needed for the digital economy, focusing on areas like coding and programming (C&P) as well as artificial intelligence (AI). This NUL-SIC programme seeks to play a vital role in the development of critical skills needed by Lesotho’s economy with the ultimate aim of boosting youth employment.

“Today marks the culmination of months of hard work, dedication and learning. The skills and knowledge we have gained through this programme have opened new career pathways for us and I am excited about the opportunities ahead,” said Reabetsoe Mapeshoane, a graduate of the programme. “I am grateful to Samsung and NUL for this incredible opportunity, which has truly transformed our academic and professional futures.”

This partnership with NUL which aims to help Lesotho create more opportunities for growth, has managed to empower students to not only enhance their technical expertise, but also prepare for a future of innovation and leadership in the country’s technology industry.

Prof. Issac Olusola Fajana, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho, emphasized the importance of such partnerships in shaping the future of Basotho youth. “The collaboration between Samsung and NUL is a milestone for our university and for Lesotho. By offering our students access to global industry innovators and technology-focused education, we are empowering them to become catalysts of change in the tech world. This partnership is a step towards ensuring that our graduates are prepared for a rapidly evolving digital economy.”

The certificate award ceremony celebrated the graduates’ achievements with a special recognition of their hard work. And, as part of the programme – these students completed theory, practicals and capstone projects, equipping them with the tools necessary to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.

“At Samsung, we believe in the power of education to change lives,” said Lefa Makgato, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Samsung Electronics in Southern Africa. “Our mission with the Samsung Innovation Campus is not just to teach technical skills, but to nurture the next generation of innovators. These graduates have shown remarkable passion and dedication – we are excited to see them apply their newfound knowledge in real-world settings. We are proud to have partnered with NUL to make this vision a reality.”

The global electronics giant remains committed to empowering youth through education and innovation, with plans for further collaborations and initiatives aimed at fostering talent in Africa.