In light of the fast growing dependence on digital technologies, information technology and the rapid digitisation of business processes across the globe, the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zensar Technologies Ltd to strengthen their already existing partnership. This includes, but is not limited to specialised in-service training for Faculty of ICT students.
Zensar Technologies Ltd is a digital solutions technology services company that specialises in partnering with global organisations across industries. This company already takes a number of the University’s students for Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) annually for a period of 12 months. During this period, the students spend 6 months in India working under the Zensar umbrella in various local and international companies and then spend another 6 months in South Africa. Over 20 students have benefitted from this partnership thus far.
In his keynote address, Harish Lala, Senior Vice President and Head Africa: Zensar Technologies, said: “Exposure to industry is vital for students. This collaboration is particularly important because Zensar can act as a catalyst, exposing students to real-world problems between and across borders while also broadening their minds while they visit and explore India.”
Prof Maredi Mphahlele, Executive Dean of the Faculty of ICT, spoke about the areas of collaboration at the event. He mentioned that the partnership will yield a number of opportunities and benefits such as internships, competitions, short and long learning programmes, and other activities that will stimulate interest in the students at the Soshanguve South Campus.
“You can have all the knowledge available but if you cannot identify opportunities you will never make an impact. The true manifestation of student empowerment is stimulating an interest in entrepreneurship,” Prof Mphahlele added.
After the signing of the MoU, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching, Learning and Technology, Prof Stanley Mukhola, said: “These kind of relationships add immense value to the Faculty and the institution. We need to keep this relationship strong so our students can go out there, see the world and bring that knowledge back into entrepreneurial projects here at home.”
Mark Muwanguzi, Computer Engineering Lecturer and WIL Coordinator at the Faculty, said one of the biggest challenges at the Faculty was funding for WIL. “Companies always want to employ our students but they don’t have enough resources to hire many of them. This MoU will assist in bridging that gap.”
Delegates from Zensar Technologies Ltd and the Faculty of ICT are excited about this collaboration which will bring
more projects into the Faculty.
For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology please contact Willa de Ruyter on tel: 012 382 5352 or send an email to deruyterw@tut.ac.za.