Second Cohort of Students Graduate from WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus

In a groundbreaking ceremony held at Mdantsane, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and Samsung celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of students from the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), marking the first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) graduation in Africa. This milestone event underscores a significant step towards addressing unemployment in the Eastern Cape region.

Samsung’s commitment to education-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, spanning three decades since its entry into the African continent, has catalyzed positive social transformations. The WSU-SIC collaboration represents a pinnacle achievement in Samsung’s commemoration of South Africa’s 30-year anniversary of democracy.

During the state of the nation address (SONA), President emphasized the urgency of addressing unemployment, recognizing the intrinsic value of job creation in fostering individual dignity and societal inclusion.

This year’s graduation in both C&P and AI education is very significant as it fits perfectly into Samsung’s current AI technology strategy and vision. – said a Samsung representative.

Somila Mdletshe, a 22-year-old graduate from East London, shared her transformative experience, expressing enthusiasm for applying AI skills in her future endeavors. Tshililo Mungoni, another graduate from Johannesburg, highlighted the practical, hands-on experience gained through the program, paving the way for a career in Business Intelligence (BI) & Data Analysis.

The program, designed to empower youth with Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills, aims to boost employment in the technology sector. The graduates, hailing from Mdantsane township and various regions, join a cohort equipped with essential skills in AI, C&P, and Internet of Things (IoT).

Lenhle Khoza, B-BBEE and Transformation Manager at Samsung, emphasized the significance of AI education in keeping youth abreast of emerging technologies. The success of the program is evident in the students’ remarkable growth rate in technology capabilities and a 100% graduation rate among the second cohort.

Dr. Thobekani Lose at WSU highlighted the importance of AI education in preparing students for future careers. The partnership between WSU and Samsung continues to bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical skills, ensuring graduates’ meaningful contributions to society.

As Samsung, we are thrilled that our global initiative aimed at empowering the leaders of tomorrow and equipping them with 4IR skills, particularly AI, is starting to fulfill the need to realize meaningful change. – concluded Khoza.

The WSU-Samsung Innovation Campus stands as a beacon of hope, offering a pathway to prosperity through education and technology, ultimately transforming lives and communities in the Eastern Cape and beyond.