The Department of Science and Technology (DST) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft South Africa to fast-track high-performance computing, human capital development and enterprise development earlier today.
The MoU was signed by the Director-General of Science and Technology, Dr Phil Mjwara, and Microsoft Managing Director, Mr Mteto Nyati.
The signing of this MoU is expected to pave the way for foreign direct investment in research and development and harness existing information and communication technology (ICT) skills programmes to support knowledge-generating capacity.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Mjwara said, "We also plan to jointly establish world-class research infrastructure with relevant science councils and higher education institutions."
The DST and multinational private sector partners now have a solid framework against which to quality-check projects in which they are engaged together. "We now have a dedicated framework to help us determine what space in the ICT value chain would be best served by public-private partnerships," added Dr Mjwara.
"As our local programmes are designed to help government address its five key priorities – especially skills, jobs and rural access – partnering with the DST will better coordinate our efforts to create an enabling environment for growth through ICT," said Mr Nyati, MD of Microsoft SA.
The first drive is to increase innovation and entrepreneurship in ICT among undergraduate students and learners from higher education institutions and further education and training colleges, by elevating Microsoft's Imagine Cup student competition with the DST's backing.
The focus of the partnership is on increasing participation by students and learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
"This intervention will expose students and learners to innovation and business skills early on during their studies," said Dr Mjwara. "The students will be further provided with opportunities to use their creativity, passion and knowledge of technology to help solve real-world global challenges and see that they can make a difference in the world."
Addressing job creation, the DST's support of Microsoft's Student 2 Business (S2B) "skills for employability" programme – which has to date trained 5 500 students in partnership with the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority – should draw in a wider net of much-needed corporate participation in the internship programme.
Mr Nyati explains that "the goal of the programme is to give students the key work competencies they will need to excel in future jobs. This develops a stronger base of local skills within the local technology economy.
To date, he said, "350 employer partners and 15 training providers, academic institutions and NGOs have partnered with us in the programme."
"The DST's backing should encourage more corporates to share in the obligation of reducing unemployment among the youth by supporting technology and business-related graduates," concluded Mr Nyati.
Enquiries:
Zama Mthethwa
Tel: 012 843 6781
Cell: 082 808 3956
Inga Mzuku
Tel: 011 548 2042
Cell: 071 365 6480
