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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

Statement from Prof Jonathan Jansen regarding a misquote about Madiba
2013-04-10

08 April 2013

Comments made by learners who attended the Leadership Summit (pdf)

Prof Jonathan Jansen: Presentation about Great Leaders (pdf)

The news article that first appeared in Volksblad of Monday 8 April 2013 claiming that I wanted Madiba to die, refers.

This is a complete misrepresentation of what I said. My argument was that Madiba had done so much for South Africa, that he had served South Africa well, and that sometimes you just wish that people would leave him alone so that he can pass his final days quietly.

Like all South Africans, I want Madiba to live as long as possible, but without the constant glare and speculation of the media and others. He needs to be left alone to rest and die in peace. That was the content and context of what I said.

To misrepresent a lengthy statement on a talk which was entirely devoted to extolling Madiba’s leadership — alongside that of Luthuli, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr (this was the main photograph on the screen) — is mischievous. The seven characteristics of leadership of Mandela, and the other three, were what the one hour and ten minute talk was about — something completely ignored in the misrepresentation.

It is true that I depicted the crises from Marikana to the Catholic Church as crises of leadership and not primarily military or religious blunders.

It is also true that I argued that the official representation of the hospital visits as ‘routine checkups’ was inaccurate for aged people, since at the age of 94 no hospital visit is ‘routine.’ That is what I said.

- Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, University of the Free State

Media Release
08 April 2013
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: +27(0)51 401 2584
Cell: +27(0)83 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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