Durban University of Technology’s Co-Operative Education Department exchange student to put his international acclaimed experience to practice in the South African Technology industry.
Hailing from the Northern part of KwaZulu-Natal in Esikhaleni township, S’boniso Gumede matriculated at Tisand Technical High School where he majored in Electrical Technology and Engineering and Graphic Designs in 2010.

After matric, he then joined the Durban University of Technology where he pursued Engineering Computer System as a course. “I choose to study Engineering Computer System, because of its wide range career opportunities that one can choose from after Completion of studies,” said Gumede.

The young energetic Gumede was more fascinated by the fields of specialising he can venture into after completing his studies such as being a Software Developer, System Analyst, Database Specialist Network Specialist and a Technician. In the search for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) to complete his diploma, Gumede took to the universities’ Department of Co-operative Education for assistance with placement. “After completing my fifth semester, I heard that there is a Department called Co-operative Education within the University which assists students in finding WIL,” said Gumede.

In the UoT’s WIL programme it is a requirement for students to complete before graduating. “I was then given an opportunity of going abroad to Thailand to Western Digital via the WIL programme offered by DUT’s Co-Operative Education Department,” he stated.

In March 2016 and 2017, Gumede jetted off to the Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand where he was hosted by the Universities’ Department of Co-Operative Education and completed his WIL with a company called Western Digital.

“During my stay in Thailand I learnt to enhance skills that one must have to survive in the world of work on real life and projects which includes programming languages, presentation skills, knowledge of system infrastructure, software trial running methodology, debugging software, a new outlook on technology and project management,” said Gumede.

In acquiring experience during his diploma in 2014 and 2015, Gumede was a tutor for first year’s Computer Skills programme in the Electronics Department and Computer Lab assistant for Faculty of Applied Science.

Currently, Gumede is under a graduate programme with ARMSCOR (Armaments Corporation of South Africa) where job entails him being a Technology Defence Support person.

Pictured: S’boniso Gumede, former DUT’s Co-operative Education Department Thai exchange student.

Mbuso Kunene