Lerotholi Polytechnic’s Rector, Prof. Spirit Tlali, said, “This strategic partnership is exactly what our institution needs at this time. It is also a much welcome opportunity for our students as it will give them the necessary skills to make a meaningful contribution in the technology-driven revolution the global community finds itself in right now. A partnership such as this one, with a global technology giant like Samsung is something no institution of higher learning can ignore. We are fortunate and proud to be able to facilitate this for our students and to help them get ready for the exciting field of work.”

After being introduced in South Africa earlier in 2022, the programme has already been launched in two South African tertiary institutions. With a low volume and high impact approach, the SIC’s courses include Coding and Programming, Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data. LP will undertake the training and assessment of the students in line with the content provided by Samsung.

Samsung holds the belief that the future of any country lies in the hands of young people and that education gives them the greatest chance to realise their full potential and prepare themselves for that future. This is why Samsung is deliberate in working to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they will need to build a better world. The company is committed to empowering the youth with the tools they will need to drive and effect meaningful change.

Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Operations and Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa said, “Samsung is heavily invested in the development of people and communities and we believe that that can only be achieved through working together with others. We are driven by bringing about positive social change and building a better world for all, not just through our products and services, but also by creating opportunities for learning and growth. The Samsung Innovation Campus aims to provide an opportunity to deserving youth from under-served communities to gain skills that combine future core technology capabilities with soft skills and job preparation. We are confident that the programme will open many doors for the beneficiaries and that our partnership with the institution will continue to grow as it empowers the youth.”

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and Samsung South Africa recently launched the WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus in a bid to boost youth employment in the technology sector. WSU and Samsung fostered this twinning agreement through the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CfERI) to coach the WSU student community on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills. Since it is the WSU norm to form partnerships with various organisations, through the Directorate For Short learning programmes (DSLP) – WSU forged to embark on this strategic partnership with Samsung.

Dr Thobekani Lose at WSU says: “This partnership came as a result of various engagements, a sealed deal and a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between WSU and Samsung. This WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus is one of its kind in South Africa and is a flagship partnership with Samsung to contribute to the national imperative of creating work-ready employable students.”

An initial cohort of 21 students was inducted to kick-start the programme, whose main objective is to target the youth who are within the university and develop their 4IR skills and empower them as future technological entrepreneurs. The WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus will offer basic coding and programming education in the first year of this agreement.

Samsung believes that young people are the leaders of the future. And while the future might be full of challenges and uncertainties, education is what allows youth to realise their full potential and prepare themselves to keep moving forward with confidence. Well aware of the great importance of education, Samsung works to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they will need to build a better world. Through its global Samsung Innovation Campus initiative, Samsung is committed to empowering the leaders of tomorrow and equipping them with the tools they will need to realise meaningful change.

Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Operations and Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa says: As Samsung, we are very firm in our belief that every young person deserves quality education regardless of their background, gender, ability, or personal circumstances. Over the years – through partnerships such as the WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus – we have empowered a countless number of young people to slowly but steadily contribute towards positive change in their societies and the country’s economy at large. This partnership with WSU is therefore no different – our commitment to empowering the youth and contribute to the country’s 4IR and employment goals remains.”

Software development skills are highly sought-after in the digital economy, which is why Samsung considers it as an important part of its educational initiatives. Programme partners for software development include the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Tshimologong Digital Precinct. A further capacity building program is the training and development of electronics, refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians. Partners here include Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre (“EASTC”) and Ocule IT in KZN. Together, the initiatives are harnessing the power of technology to train and inspire young people to pursue their ambitions.

“Despite the many challenges that face our country’s youth, there is immense potential that can be explored. We believe these programmes can open new doors for previously disadvantaged youth. Working together with like-minded institutions such as the University of the Western Cape, Tshimologong, EASTC and Ocule IT we can dedicate the necessary resources and time to create endless possibilities. Samsung will remain steadfastly committed to the idea of real empowerment and education that changes lives,” said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

The first cohort of the UWC software development programme launched last year has successfully come to an end where students showcased their learning by solving social problems through digital innovation.. Marketing and recruitment for the 2^nd cohort is underway. The Microsoft AppFactory at Tshimologong is an advanced nine-month software development programme that aims to address the gap of high-demand software skills. The programme aims to facilitate hands-on, real-world experience through creativity and fun in a learning and working environment. Overall the software development programme benefits 80 disadvantaged youth per annum.

During this time there have been many success stories including that of Sibusiso Labi from the Western Cape. Labi, now 20-years-old, was among the thousands of child-headed households in South Africa. But the determined boy from the Cape Flats refused to be a statistic. At the age of 18, he found a job as a packer at a supermarket distribution centre. A year later he resigned to pursue his dream of becoming a web developer. Today, thanks to an innovative collaboration between Samsung South Africa and the University of the Western Cape the 20-year-old’s dream is materialising. He is one of 70 students receiving web and mobile software development training at a new Future-Innovation Lab which focuses on building digital innovation skills for unemployed youth in South Africa. As a result of his excellent academic results in this course, as well as his practical software development skills he, along with six other aspiring developers, are now ready for the next step in their career and will enter the Samsung EEIP App Factory at UWC for a further 9 months of applied skills training and building of software products.

“As a key part of our commitment as an engaged university, we are proud of the fact that the first cohort of the Future-Innovation Lab has completed the first steps on their journey into the opportunities offered through the digital economy,” said Prof Jose Frantz, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at UWC about their programme. “We are looking forward to seeing how they will apply and further refine these skills within their local communities. We believe that through innovative partnerships such as the UWC Samsung EEIP collaboration, we can develop skills and innovations that are truly focused on our local realities, yet comparable to international best practice. UWC is also committed to seeing how we can further assist in implementing the App ideas through research and making it count for communities thus further developing the relationship between the university and the community.”

In addition, EASTC is hosting the 24-month MERSETA accredited Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship and Ocule IT is hosting the 12-month MICTSETA accredited Electronics learnership. Overall, the programme benefits 40 unemployed black youth per annum.  Furthermore, the Technician programme started on the first of June, despite the national lockdown and the challenges that come with it. The Technician programme is a fully funded bursary programme that provides for tuition, equipment and stipends. In essence, it is a comprehensive integrated skills development investment programme that prioritises the delivery of an integrated holistic package of personal, technical, entrepreneurial and business skills, aligned to meet the needs of the country’s economic development strategies. As qualified artisans the prospects of employment are raised. The words of the students on innovative courses such as these say it all:

“I am so excited that I was given this opportunity to be trained as an air-conditioning, refrigerator and ventilation technician with Samsung. I could not believe it when I got the call that I made it because I have been looking for such an opportunity for years. With the qualification I believe I will be able to get a better job, gain experience and who knows, may even start my own business. I already have big dreams. I would like to thank Samsung for giving me and other students this opportunity to shine, “said Petunia Malinga.

I would like to start by thanking Samsung and Ocule IT for the great opportunity. Giving us young people an opportunity to be part of integral building blocks of our country’s economy and help South Africa take her best foot forward through technology, “said Noluthando Dladla.

“South Africa now, more than ever needs to equip the youth to seize the opportunities that lie in the ICT sector. Samsung looks forward to working with Government and educational institutions to empower the leaders of tomorrow and we will, therefore, continue to seek out the avenues that will lead to success, “concludes Shivanda