By Levy Masiteng
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mimmy Gondwe has signed a public-private partnership agreement with Microsoft South Africa to boost digital and AI skills among local students.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday at Microsoft’s South Africa headquarters in Johannesburg.
According to Gondwe, this is the third agreement she has secured since taking office in July last year.
The partnership focuses on AI and digital skills development, aimed at equipping students with the competencies required in a rapidly evolving economy.
Among others, the partnership also aims to bridge the digital skills gap by equipping students with the competencies required by the economy, while advancing four key focus areas: establishing an AI Engineer pathway in TVET colleges; implementing AI in Leadership programmes for principals and senior officials; rolling out a multi-year Education Transformation Framework (ETF) through Microsoft’s Equity Equivalent Investment Programme; and promoting broad digital upskilling through Digital Literacy and the AI Skills Navigator.
In a statement, the Department said the partnership will see Microsoft offer its self-paced AI Engineer programme to students at TVET colleges, alongside a one-year blended learning course.
The company will also provide AI in Leadership Training to TVET college principals and senior DHET officials.
Gondwe added that Microsoft will collaborate with the DHET on the Education Transformation Framework (ETF), designed to help education leaders navigate sectoral changes, while also strengthening students’ digital capabilities through the Digital Literacy Programme.
“I’m very excited to see this MoU with Microsoft come to fruition. It will significantly enhance skills development in our TVET colleges through Microsoft’s one-year AI engineering programme and broader digital literacy courses,” Gondwe said.
Microsoft South Africa’s National Technology Officer, Asif Valley, welcomed the partnership.
“We believe that digital fluency is foundational to inclusive economic growth. This MoU marks a pivotal step in closing the skills gap and ensuring that students are equipped not just for employment, but for innovation, leadership and impact in a digital economy,” said Valley.
The DHET said the three-year partnership is expected to address the digital skills gap, enhance employability, and contribute to reducing youth unemployment across the country.
The partnership seeks to bridge the digital skills gap and ensure students gain the skills needed by the economy. PHOTO: Supplied
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