University of the Western Cape and Samsung Collaborative Efforts Uplift Lives and Enhance Youth Employability

The Future-Innovation Lab at UWC, a trailblazing collaboration between UWC and Samsung South Africa for technological education and empowerment, proudly marks a significant milestone as it celebrates the successful completion of the first three years of its ambitious EEIP 10-year Software Development Skills Training Programme.

As part of its R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), Samsung announced its Research and Development (R&D) Academy project partnership with the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The Samsung and UWC Future Innovation Lab & App Factory Programme was launched in 2019 with a visionary goal: to equip individuals from diverse backgrounds with the technical expertise and life skills necessary to thrive in the digital age.

As the programme reaches the conclusion of its first phase, its achievements are not only remarkable, but also deeply transformative. This landmark achievement reflects both parties’ unwavering commitment to fostering professional growth, personal development and societal progress through the power of education and innovation.

Unleashing Technical Excellence:

Over the past three years, the programme has empowered its beneficiaries with comprehensive training in cutting-edge software development technologies. Participants have gained proficiency in high-demand coding languages, software architecture, web and mobile app development, database management, and more. The hands-on and project-based approach has ensured that graduates emerge not just with theoretical knowledge, but also with the practical skills demanded by the modern job market.

The Samsung EEIP Software Academy, through its Future-Innovation Lab programme has since inception been striving to provide an opportunity to deserving black youth (18-35) to gain skills in software development and digital social innovation. The measurable outcome of this programme has been to enhance employability by ensuring that UWC students are attaining permanent employment through Samsung’s partner network.

Just over 70% of the Foundational Introduction to Software Development Programme’s 161 beneficiaries have already been successfully placed and taken up in industry. The Samsung & UWC Future Innovation Lab & App Factory Internship programme has achieved a 95% industry uptake rate, with 22 beneficiaries being employed at specialist Robotic Process Automation Developers with IOCO, one of the leading software companies in the country.

A core focus has been to address the lack of female software developers in the industry. In this regard, the partners in this programme have managed to achieve 90% female representation in the third cohort and are looking forward to continuing to address this significant empowerment challenge.

Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Operations and Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung SA said: “We are very happy with the outstanding results that have been achieved by this programme to date, more especially the 90% impact on women empowerment. The main reason for partnering with UWC has been to ensure that this programme delivers measurable impact and from these stats, it is very clear that we have been able to achieve exactly that.”

For Samsung, pushing the agenda of women empowerment, inclusivity and equality is critical and a business imperative. The company firmly believes that the future is not only youth, but also female. We are certain that all businesses and the technology industry as a whole will benefit greatly from placing young women in positions of influence and at the forefront of 4IR, more especially in software development.

Mihlali Mtiki, a recent graduate of the internship programme now employed as junior developer, reflects on her journey: “I was blessed to have been accepted and have grown since this programme. I have made friends here and want to keep them for life,” Mtiki says. The programme has also given her a solid sense of her future. Mtiki is keen to enter a career in cyber security because she wants to become part of the South African government’s defence team against hackers.

Laren Cloete, currently doing a Robotic Process Automation internship with IOCO, reflected on his path to successful employment in industry: “Before I started with Future Innovation, I was directionless. The programme provided me with the necessary skills and confidence to pursue my hopes and dreams.”

Empowering Lives Beyond Code:

While the acquisition of technical skills is central, the programme’s emphasis on holistic development sets it apart. Participants have not only learnt how to craft elegant lines of code but have also entrenched essential life skills. Soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management have been woven into the curriculum, ensuring that graduates are well-rounded individuals poised for success in both their careers and personal lives.

A recent highlight was the participation of three generations of Future-Innovation Lab students and alumni in roundtable discussions with their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgian people around the role of digital inclusion in impacting their employability in the Digital Economy. Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgian people paid a historic visit to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on Saturday, 25 March 2023.

Said Lauren Fisher, Cohort 3 graduate and currently employed at IOCO as software developer: “I remember first coming to this programme. New faces and excitement was through the roof, I was really happy to be coding again. I didn’t think I would actually be recruited for an internship, but if I could tell my past self-anything, I would tell her “Thank you”. From not knowing a thing about mobile development and GitHub to building an app for children with autism, as difficult and frustrating as the development process was, I would do it all over again.”

Paving Pathways to Employment:

One of the most remarkable outcomes of the programme is the tangible increase in employability. Graduates have found themselves not only better equipped for roles within the software development industry but have also been sought after by a spectrum of businesses across varying sectors.

From start-ups to established corporations, the impact of the training is evident as beneficiaries find meaningful employment opportunities that uplift their socio-economic status.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor José Frantz, said: “We use that space to capacitate young learners that have not been able to access a university and train them as coders, which is a much-needed skill in our country. We have a 30% unemployment rate in South Africa and so as a university we know that we need to contribute towards growing the employment rate here in South Africa.”

Siphamandla Mpalala reflects on his progression into his current permanent position as a software developer: “If someone had said I would be in this career, I would have been surprised, because until 2017, I had no idea there was something called software development. If someone was interested in applying to do the course, I would tell them that you won’t only learn software skills, but the course will restore hope and give a new direction of seeing life on a different scale. It shows how to be a success as a person for your family and the community.”

Community and Collaboration:

The success of the Future-Innovation Lab is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the UWC and the Samsung team, passionate trainers, dedicated mentors, and enthusiastic participants. By creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment, the programme has fostered a sense of community and camaraderie that transcends the confines of the classroom. Former students are regularly coming back to share their inspirational journey with the next generations of Future-Innovators.

Looking Ahead:

As the programme enters its fourth year, the partners remain resolute in their commitment to shaping the future through education. With innovation as its driving force, the Samsung & UWC Future-Innovation Lab is poised to introduce newly updated training modules, expand its outreach, and forge further industry partnerships that amplify its impact.

The remarkable achievements in the first three years are a testament to the potential that resides within every individual when given the opportunity and resources to excel. UWC and Samsung are excited to continue this journey of transformation, empowering lives and reshaping the landscape of the digital era.

Shivanda concluded: “As Samsung, we remain committed to continue investing in ICT education, catering specifically for unemployed youth and women with the ultimate aim of increasing empowerment, educational opportunities and stimulating jobs in the country.