In a remarkable stride toward boosting youth employment in Lesotho’s burgeoning technology sector, Samsung and Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP) celebrated the graduation of 49 bright-eyed students from the second cohort of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) Programme.
These trailblazers have completed courses in coding, programming (C&P), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), positioning themselves at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The SIC programme is a collaborative effort between Samsung and select institutions of higher learning in Lesotho and South Africa.
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This specialized programme aims to equip students with critical technology skills, significantly enhancing their employability prospects. The focus is on providing comprehensive education in coding, programming, and AI, ensuring that the youth are well-prepared to meet the demands of the modern workforce.
During the inaugural year of this strategic partnership, the programme introduced basic coding and programming education. This year, AI was added to the curriculum, reflecting the evolving needs of the tech industry. Among the 49 graduates, 19 students completed the C&P (Python) course, while 30 students mastered AI.
These skills are pivotal in transforming Lesotho’s youth into innovative and employable technology leaders.
One of the graduates, Tlokotsi Potloane, expressed his gratitude: “As beneficiaries of this SIC programme, we are grateful to Samsung Electronics and Lerotholi Polytechnic for investing in the youth of Lesotho. Today’s graduation is not just a milestone for us, but a testament to the transformative power of technology and education.”
Professor Spirit Tlali, Rector of Lerotholi Polytechnic, emphasized the institution’s commitment to fostering a blend of academic excellence and critical skills needed by the Lesotho economy.
“Samsung’s partnership has offered our institution an opportunity to expose our students to these employability courses, ensuring that the impact will be felt across various industries,” he said.
This six-month SIC programme, which began in March, combines classroom learning with online courses, providing students with practical education in the latest technologies. The programme not only enhances employment prospects but also empowers students to become future tech entrepreneurs.
Samsung’s global SIC programme seeks to empower a new generation of problem-solvers by equipping them with future-proof skills.
Lenhle Khoza, B-BBEE and Transformation Manager at Samsung highlighted the programme’s significance: “For us at Samsung, it is fulfilling to be part of a programme that allows students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential in the technology world.”
Khoza added, “By continuing our partnership with Lerotholi Polytechnic, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing a better future for the youth in Africa through education. With this SIC programme, Lesotho graduates will now be able to pursue their dreams as technology entrepreneurs or secure job placements in the country’s ICT sector.”
The graduation of the second cohort of the Samsung Innovation Campus marks a significant step toward a brighter future for Lesotho’s youth. By investing in education and providing essential tech skills, Samsung and Lerotholi Polytechnic are paving the way for a generation of innovative leaders poised to make a lasting impact on the global tech landscape.
Together, they are transforming challenges into opportunities, equipping the youth with the tools to build a more sustainable and prosperous future.