Samsung R&D Academy to drive youth skills development - applications open

© HONGQI ZHANG – 123RF.com

EEIP is a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiative where multinational companies are invited to participate and contribute positively towards B-BBEE in South Africa. Samsung’s EEIP initiative is projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution of nearly R1-billion to the South African economy at large. And now, the EEIP R&D Academy, in partnership with the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Microsoft is set to showcase exactly what can be achieved.

“We believe our EEIP strategy will help alleviate the many challenges the nation faces. This exciting stage of the rollout through the R&D Academy affirms our commitment to growing South Africa through education and we have dedicated the necessary resources and time to create possibilities, which were once merely a dream,” says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

The EEIP R&D Academy, through its Future-Innovation Lab, aims to provide an opportunity to deserving previously disadvantaged youth (18-35), to gain skills in software development and digital social innovation. Unemployed matriculants and graduates with a strong interest in software development and innovation and who are prepared to work hard, can benefit from this programme. Mathematics and some software development experience would be beneficial but is not compulsory.

The six-month Future-Innovation Lab programme will focus on:

• The development of software development skills and portfolios that can open doors to employment or further training;
  
• The development of transferable skills and experience in digital social innovation, and
  
• The fostering of pathways into industry networks.

In addition to the six-month development experience, Samsung and UWC partnered with the Microsoft AppFactory to deliver an advanced nine-month software development programme to address the gap of high-demand software skills. The target group for this programme is more experienced software developers who lack practical or work experience. The programme aims to facilitate hands-on, real-world experience through creativity and fun in a learning and working environment.

The Future-Innovation Lab is aligned with Samsung’s global mission: ‘Enabling People’, which is aimed at aiding people, discovering and developing their full potential. The R&D Academy will not only fund these students’ education but Samsung is also committed to seeking out paths to employment for its graduates. Through EEIP and its projects such as the R&D Academy Samsung will continue to pursue opportunities where people can become meaningfully engaged in the economy and in doing so, have a positive impact on their families, communities and therein, the entire nation.

“UWC is honoured to enter into this partnership that will, undoubtedly prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The University takes pride in empowering and growing the skill set of the communities it serves. We therefore look forward to the new projects and co-operation between Samsung, Microsoft and DTI,” says UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius.

Apply now

The Future-Innovation Lab (commencing on 16 September 2019) is open to 40 students, who will be supported with stipends. Interested youth are invited to submit applications by 16 August 2019. To apply click on this link: http://bit.ly/FutureInnovation-apply.

For more information please visit the project website at: https://www.wcapecolab.org/future-innovation-lab.