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01 August 2019 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Anja Aucamp
Jaco Marais, Programme Director, and Dr Eduan Kotzé
Jaco Marais, Programme Director, and Dr Eduan Kotzé, Academic Head of the Department of Computer Science and Informatics. Dr Kotzé believes the partnership with IoT.nxt will expose UFS staff and students to new and creative ways of thinking.

UFS information technology students will get exposure to the very latest developments in data science, after a recent exciting partnership was announced between the university and Internet of Things company, IoT.nxt – described by CNBC Africa as “a world leader in technological innovations.”

“The partnership with IoT.nxt will open new opportunities for our students and staff, not only to work with one of the most innovative companies in the country, but also to be exposed to new and creative ways of thinking, all in preparation for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR),” says Dr Eduan Kotzé, Academic Head of the UFS Department of Computer Science and Informatics.

“We also believe the partnership will strengthen our academic programme, especially in data science, and prepare our students to be ready for the ever-changing world of technology.”

He explains that it is a huge task to stay at the forefront of technological development. “IoT.nxt's involvement will help us to continually expose our students to trendsetting technologies that is applicable in the industry. It will also ensure that our graduates have the neccessary skills when they enter the job market. In doing so, our curriculum will remain relevant and keep up with new developments in the IT industry,” says Dr Kotzé.

UFS IT excellence

The Department of Computer Science and Informatics at the University of the Free State is widely regarded as one of the best IT departments at a tertiary institution in South Africa. Dr Kotzé believes the fact that we are one of only a few universities who present data science as an undergraduate qualification, followed by an honours qualification, provides us with a competitive edge and differentiates us from other institutions.

“We are also the only university offering a Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems aiming to deliver entrepreneurship in technology to make South Africa a role player in the IT industry,” says Dr Kotzé.

Job-ready graduates

He believes the planned short courses will expose students to the latest technology. He is also convinced that the opportunity to become accustomed to the workings of a successful IT company through holiday work, will have a very positive impact on the job readiness of the department’s graduates.

“Because of the pace at which technology is evolving, it is crucial that anyone in the IT industry is already in contact with industry entities that are at the top of the wave, such as IoT.nxt,” says Dr Kotzé.

According to Nico Steyn, IoT.nxt CEO, the support of education drives in the field of technology has been a key focus of his company. Steyn says IoT.nxt selected the UFS for this partnership because it views the university as one of the leading education institutions in this field. There are also UFS graduates among the co-founders.

Direct contact with pioneers

Steyn believes that there is an industry-wide shortage of qualified people in South Africa, and a growing demand for students to graduate with a qualification that meets the requirements of businesses. “Our company, and the vibrant broader technology industry in South Africa, needs such graduates. Through our partnership with the UFS, we will aim to drive interest in this career,” Steyn says.

The partnership with IoT.nxt is one of several industry partnerships that have been entered into by the UFS Department of Computer Science and Informatics over the past few years. “In the IT industry, it is crucial that our curriculum is constantly adapted to remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. The relevant skills are determined by the industry and it is therefore a huge advantage to have direct contact with pioneers in that sector,” says Dr Kotzé.

News Archive

UFS experimental farm to be redesigned as a training facility
2004-10-25

Back fltr:
Dr Léan van der Westhuizen, Manager: UFS Sydenham Experimental Farm; Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS and Councilor Thami Stander, Chairperson: Mangaung Municipal Portfolio for Agriculture and Rural Development

Front fltr:
Mr Hanz Nketu, Chairperson: Free State Legislative Committee on Agriculture and Mr Peter Frewen from the Free State Legislature

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences of the University of the Free State will soon sign a tri-partite cooperation agreement with the National African Farmers Union (NAFU) and the Mangaung Local Municipality with the aim of providing training and mentorship to small-scale and emerging farmers, including those recently settled under the on-going land redistribution programme.

The agreement is part of the Faculty’s strategic plan to support the on-going reform process in the country, of which Black Economic Empowerment in Agriculture (Agri-BEE) is an important part. The Free State Provincial Department of Agriculture is also actively supporting this initiative.

Under the plan, the Faculty is redesigning its experimental farm, located about 12 kilometers south of Bloemfontein, as a training facility to build up skills in among others broiler and egg production, dairy farming, animal husbandry, piggery, sheep and goat production. The idea is to introduce a comprehensive package that empowers the small and emerging farmers and the local communities adjoining the farms through simultaneous investments in research, extension, and practical agricultural training.

Learnerships are also being drawn up to provide productive skills in order to contribute to addressing the national skills gap and enhancing opportunities for both self and wage employment.

The residents of the adjoining informal settlement known as Mangaung Phase II where unemployment is currently at extremely high levels are primary targets of this component of the project. The Faculty intends for this project to service the farming communities of the Free State Province and gradually spread to other Provinces in the country.

Having recognised this training programme as a potential instrument for achieving “a united and prosperous agricultural sector”, the Free State Legislature has shown considerable interest in the programme.

Following a preparatory visit to the farms by the Agriculture Committee of the Free State Legislature a request was made to the Faculty to host a larger visit by the Legislative Committees of the Free State, North West and Eastern Cape Provincial Legislatures on Monday 25 October 2004 and present details of the training programme.

The President of NAFU in the Free State Province, Mr Nox Nonkonyana, the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, the Chair of the Mangaung Municipal Portfolio for Agriculture and Rural Development, Councilor Thami Stander, and the Chairperson of the Free State Legislative Committee on Agriculture, Mr M Nketu, will address the Legislators during the occasion.

Prof Herman van Schalkwyk

Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

University of the Free State, Bloemfontein

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
25 Oktober 2004

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