Samsung Electronics and the National University of Lesotho (NUL) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to cement a strategic partnership created through Samsung’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes and this ceremony served as the official launch of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) in conjunction with NUL.
The SIC programme is targeted at students in higher learning institutions with the main objective of teaching Coding and Programming (C&P) in Python, Software Development in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data to increase their chances of employability after school. This programme will provide technical skills that will enable the NUL student community to not only thrive in but to also lead in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) with ease.
The Vice-Chancellor of NUL, Prof. Isaac Olusola Fajana, said NUL believes that this SIC programme will play a crucial role in helping to achieve its vision of being the leading University – in both teaching and research to provide innovative solutions to societal problems.
“This partnership with Samsung is important as it will also assist the Faculty of Science and Technology in the pursuit of the University mandate, taking due cognisance of the overarching University Mission and ensuring that we place Science, Technology, And Innovation as key drivers for the developmental process of the whole Lesotho nation as contained in the National Strategic Development Plan II as extended,” he said.
He stressed that with the skills learned in the SIC programme, NUL students can apply the problem-solving techniques they have learned to solve real-world problems, adding that this programme may prepare students for possible opportunities as entrepreneurs in technology.
The Director of Business Operations, Innovation, and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa, Mr. Hlubi Shivanda said Samsung is striving to partner with Lesotho to not only help develop it into a major player in 4IR but to also become a more resilient and inclusive economy which in turn, creates further opportunities for growth.
He mentioned that Samsung strongly believes that transformation is everyone’s business, and empowering youth with skills needed by the global community as well as work opportunities. This is one of the reasons why the company is committed to expanding its footprint in Lesotho through SIC which is one of the Global CSR programmes.
Mr. Shivanda said the partnership with NUL and the SIC programme is helping Samsung achieve its vision for the global youth investment initiative of enabling the Basotho people to uplift humanity through innovation and digital transformation.
The President and CEO of Samsung Africa, Mr. BS Hong said the Samsung Innovation Campus Programme (SIC) is a strategic partnership with the National University of Lesotho (NUL) that will not only help develop Lesotho into a major player in the 4th Industrial Revolution but to also become a more strong and inclusive economy which, in turn, creates further opportunities for growth.
He noted that the SIC aims to provide NUL students from underserved communities an opportunity to gain skills in Coding and Programming, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and Big Data.
Extending her appreciation, the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ms. Nthati Moorosi congratulated NUL saying this is a huge milestone for NUL and therefore expressed thanks to Samsung for the initiative.
She noted that the collaborated effort of both parties will make this project a success.
Also, the Minister of Education and Training, Prof. Ntoi Rapapa expressed gratitude to Samsung for this noble gesture, saying the ministry will support the innovation to become a success.
By Staff Reporter: Maphoka Likotsi
