by Kgothatso Monono
In 2023, the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) adopted the Sikhululekile School of Specialisation in Maths, Science and ICT, aimed at focusing on research and innovation to foster talent and bridging educational disparities in ICT. FoICT has now also embarked on a pioneering venture with another secondary school, the Mapenane School of Specialisation in ICT. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in education, aiming to provide learners with specialised skills and opportunities from an early stage.
The partnership between FoICT and the Mapenane School of Specialisation is driven by a common vision to nurture a diverse, skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the digital era. The aim is to establish a seamless educational pathway for learners, from secondary school to tertiary education and beyond, ensuring continuous learning to prepare individuals for success in the ICT industry.
Sikhululekile in Hammanskraal and Mapenane in Garankuwa are the only ICT specialisations schools in the Tshwane North and West areas. “We adopted these schools to engage with the local community and contribute to the development of ICT skills at secondary education level. By fostering an interest and skills development in ICT at this level, the Faculty aims to broaden the pool of qualified applicants for its own ICT programmes in the future, providing access to resources, facilities and expertise not readily available in secondary schools,” said Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean of the Faculty of ICT.
from left is Lydia Moseki the principal of Mapenane SOS, Dr Etienne Van Wyk Faculty of ICT Dean and Thom Leholo Technician from the Department of Computer Systems
Central to this partnership, is the commitment to provide students with access to innovative resources, guidance and practical experience in ICT. Through collaborative projects, workshops and mentorship programmes, learners will tackle real-world challenges, develop critical thinking skills and be able to unleash their creative potential.
Lydia Moseki, Principal of Mapenane School of Specialisation, shared her enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to enhance the school's ICT specialisation through training in coding and robotics, whilst enriching the learning experience for both learners and teachers.
The partnership also aims to address the underrepresentation of certain demographics in the ICT field by promoting inclusivity and diversity. By reaching out to learners from diverse backgrounds and offering tailored support and opportunities, both the University and the school aspire to create a more inclusive and representative ICT community.
Emphasising the exciting prospects for collaboration and growth offered by the new partnership, Thom Leholo, Academic Technician from the Department of Computer Systems Engineering, highlighted that this will provide an opportunity to expand expertise, share resources and enhance the learning experience for the Faculty and its students.
Staff from the Faculty of ICT and Mapenane SOS.