Fifty-three students, which included 40 teachers and 13 disabled unemployed youth, graduated with a National Certificate: End User Computing qualification at Durban University of Technology (DUT) Ritson Hall, on the 15 June 2017. The programme was one of the first initiatives of the Media, Information, and Communications Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) and Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education Training Authority (ETDP SETA) targeted at training educators from the Department of Education (DoE) as well as disabled unemployed learners. The overall programme was a multi-stakeholder initiative, stakeholders included: DUT, National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA), DoE, Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA), ETDP SETA, and MICT SETA.
The graduation was attended by Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), Ms Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams, Prince Thulani Zulu, Professor Sibusiso Moyo (DVC : Research, Innovation & Engagement) as well as stakeholders from ETDP SETA, MICT SETA, NEMISA, DoE and DPSA.
Prof Sibusiso Moyo delivered a welcome address in which she congratulated the learners and stakeholders on their successful completion of the programme. She further expressed delight at DUT’s commitment to and involvement in this initiative. Prof Moyo noted that this is one of the many outreach programmes whereby DUT is involved in achieving education for all. She saluted the dedication and commitment of the learners and encouraged them to continue on the lifelong journey of learning.
Ms Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams delivered the Keynote address. The Deputy Minister expressed her joy for an initiative whereby various stakeholders including government departments and SETA’s collaborated towards achieving the goals set out in the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP 2030). She further emphasised the value of a qualification of this nature which equips communities to move with the digital revolution.
In this digital age it is essential for individuals to be computer savvy. The National Certificate: End User Computing bridges the existing skills gap, thereby enabling learners to be more marketable in the workplace. This further allows the educators from the programme to move towards digital classrooms.
The 12 month course was offered at DUT’s Riverside and ML Sultan campuses and in Newcastle. The qualification is MICT SETA accredited and was delivered by the Durban University of Technology KZN e-Skills CoLab.
Ms Zama Pinky Khanyezi a graduate from the Durban class delivered a message of support and gratitude at the graduation ceremony.
“I’m very proud and humbled. Value has been instilled upon us. SETA and DUT contributed towards our future, my classmates and I are extremely grateful. Keep doing what you did for us to others,” she said proudly.
Mr Mathews Mvunga Khomo gave a message of support and gratitude from the Pietermaritzburg class and shared experiences from the programme and how the class together with the Project Manager Mogandren Govender overcame challenges and successfully completed the programme.
Mr Mogandren Govender, Project Manager of the Enterprise Development Unit at DUT expressed his joy and excitement on the success of the course and graduation. He sends his congratulations to all learners from the programme, and would also like to thank the Assessor Ms Nokulunga Nibaza and the Moderator Mr Andrew Duthie for all their hard work and dedication.
This is one of many programmes that the Durban University of Technology KZN e-Skills CoLab has successfully completed. The KZN CoLab is committed to e-skilling the province and continues to do so.
Pictured: Graduates and staff at the ceremony.
Sthabile Gwala
