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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

Publication on indigenous knowledge systems
2005-10-21

 

 

Dr Otsile Ntsoane (acting Director: IKS, Department of Science and Technology) and Prof Philip Nel (Director:  Africa Studies at the UFS and guest editor of the publication) at the launch of the publication

UFS launches most comprehensive publication on indigenous knowledge systems
A unique collection of essays on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) was launched yesterday (20 October 2005) by the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Programme of Africa Studies.

The essays are published as a special edition of INDILINGA, the African Journal for Indigenous Knowledge Systems and is an outcome of the colloquium on Indigenous Knowledge Systems that was presented last year by the UFS Director of Africa Studies in cooperation with the National Research Council.

“The amount and diversity of materials on IKS brought together under one cover is unique as there are no other South African publications of this magnitude on this issue.  It contains papers of international experts on IKS such as Prof Fritz Wallner from Austria and Prof Gayatri Spivak, foremost postcolonial theorist from India,” said Prof Philip Nel, Director of Africa Studies and guest editor of the publication.

“The publication is a rich source field for students and scholars to exploit because most of the sources quoted in the articles are recent, fresh and relevant.  The contributors are largely people responsible for managing, fostering and studying IKS in a responsible manner,” said Prof Nel.

“An added value of the publication is the inclusion of the policy document on IKS that was adopted by Cabinet in November 2004,” said Prof Nel.


“Millions of people in South Africa are faced with the painful choice of abandoning their heritage.  In this choice, the study and management of IKS has a major role to play; on the one hand, to encourage as much assimilation of traditional knowledge as possible into the modern systems, and on the other hand to provide a “language” and a “grammar” for indigenous people through which they can access modernity,” said Prof Nel.

The IKS debate involves questions of African identity, protection of indigenous communities and practices, political aspects as well as the scientific integrity of the enterprise. 

The publication displays the range of burning questions that have to be resolved in this field such as mainstreaming IKS in academic debate and practice, recognition and protection of the knowledge holders, bio-prospecting and bio-piracy, bio and ethnic healing, lack of textbooks and field manuals, etc and will prove worthwhile for future researchers.

 “One of the main reasons for publishing this volume is the fact that IKS should be studied not only to provide a sense of pride in the past, or  to engender respect for indigenous peoples, but also to enable people in indigenous mind sets to make a better transition into the world of science and technology,” said Prof Nel.

The guest speaker at the launch was Dr Otsile Ntsoane, acting Director of IKS at the Department of Science and Technology.  In his speech Dr Ntsoane stressed the symbolic and concrete value of the publication.  “The publication can have a great social impact and the research results can contribute to chancing the economic landscape of South Africa,” he said.

The publication can be purchased at R150 per copy.  For more information, Ms Steffi Cawood, Programme Coordinator for Africa Studies at the UFS can be contacted at (051) 401-2614.

Media release
Issued by:Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
21 October 2005
 

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