Mafikeng Campus hosts 7th e-skill CoLab in SA

The 2014 7th e-skills CoLab in South Africa held in the North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, enters its second week since it commenced on 17 June 2014. A team of delegates from nine countries in various companies such as iNeSi, DOT and BIMSCS are working with the University to establish the CoLab. The aim of the CoLab is to e-skill South Africans towards an e-literate society as per government national development plan.

The CoLab also looks at efficient use of new information and communication technologies as well as the knowledge, skills, competences and inventiveness of the workforce and ordinary citizens. To achieve the goal of the project, these international companies collaborated with different Universities, including Mafikeng Campus, FET colleges and other institutions.

The Campus management, including the Campus Rector Professor Mashudu Davhana-Maselesele and Vice-Rector, Professor Luvuyo Lumkile Lalendle, was among those that attended the opening of the CoLab.

In her key note speech, the Campus Rector Prof Maselesele reflected on the campus history. In order to draw the guests' attention, Prof Maselesele highlighted the campus achievements and challenges. Prof Maselesele was filled with awe as this new long relationship between international companies and the Mafikeng Campus was formed, since this is one of her vision for the campus as the newly appointed campus rector. Prof Maselesele emphasised that she was looking forward to this relationship and she still hopes for more stakeholders to come on board.

The four companies with different fields of expertise are expected to dynamically work for a month and the teams will look at areas such as collaborations, technology, education, innovations in technology and innovative ways to promote learning.

Teams have met with various potential stakeholders and currently with the Campus stakeholders such as the SABC and office of the Premier. The team has also met with the business tycoon and producer of The Lion King, Mr Lebo "M" Morake and the teams have continuously been on conference calls with more potential stakeholders to bring them on board. On 19 July the team is expected to do a final presentation and deliver a final product to the campus management and all stakeholders.

Two of Mafikeng Campus' Sociology Master's students, Mmathapelo Lekwape and Kebiditswe Mampe, have also played a role in such initiative. Bokang Bogopane, a final-year Social Work student is also forming part of the team from Mafikeng Campus.