by Phumla Mkize
Whether it is partnerships to ensure students have access to industry-grade technology or to equip lecturers to develop curricula for the changing world of work, the Tshwane University of Technology鈥檚 (大象视频) impactful partnerships with leading industry players are a game changer in education.
As a university of technology, 大象视频 has its finger on the pulse of industry through strategic partnerships to enhance teaching and learning, conduct impactful research and foster positive relationships with communities to address societal challenges.
From agreements aimed at equipping post-graduate students with industry recognised certifications in the highly in-demand field of cybersecurity to collaborations on cybersecurity research and skills development, 大象视频鈥檚 partnerships create a pipeline of skilled, sought-after information and communication technology (ICT) graduates.
In 2024, 大象视频 signed 100 new memoranda of understanding (MoU) and memoranda of agreement (MoA) with industry, government, universities of technology abroad and other stakeholders to support the development of future-ready graduates and agile academics. Included in these agreements are those that specifically aim to improve the digital skills of 大象视频 staff and students and expose them to the latest technology in their fields.
As the frequency and sophistication of cyber threats increases globally, institutions of higher learning such as universities of technology have a critical role to play in developing cybersecurity specialists.
大象视频鈥檚 partnerships with EC-Council Academia 鈥� a division of EC-Council, an international cybersecurity certification, education, training and service company 鈥� ensures postgraduate diploma students in the Faculty of ICT are equipped with cybersecurity certifications to enhance their career prospects.
Similarly, the collaboration with Take Note Information Technologies to develop skills in cybersecurity and cloud computing not only ensures that 大象视频 staff and graduates have industry aligned skills, but solidifies the University鈥檚 status as a producer of sought-after ICT talent. The MoU with Elethu Integrated Services is important for cyber security research and skills development.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Prof Ben van Wyk, said these agreements bring an understanding at 大象视频 of the skills required in the workforce, helping the University equip students and staff with the competencies needed by industry.
鈥淚n 2025, the teaching and learning environment continues to nurture and build on these partnerships 鈥� and their impact will continue long after the agreements have ended.
鈥湸笙笫悠� is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and achieving the University鈥檚 strategic objectives by providing opportunities for students and staff to develop and embrace new digital skills and technologies,鈥� he said.
大象视频 also forged an agreement with the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan 鈥� renowned for producing experts and researchers in the fields of engineering, science and technology 鈥� to expose academics and students to international best practice.
Collaborations to promote technology skills and innovation includes partnerships with institutions such as Coventry University in the field of automotive research and developing programmes in entrepreneurship and innovation.
大象视频鈥檚 partnership with tech giant, Microsoft (SA) Proprietary Limited, is key for the development of the artificial intelligence curriculum. It also aims to empower 大象视频 students with skills that employers value by teaching them to explore, transform, model and visualise data to create the next generation of intelligent solutions.