The Johannesburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has completed an entrepreneurship training programme, which was hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and funded internationally by Google.
Known as Accelerating IT Innovation (AITI), more than 30 engineering and computer science students developed real-world mobile service start-ups, implementing well-researched technology and business plans.
"The main objective of MIT's Accelerating Information Technology Innovation programme is to promote development in emerging regions by cultivating young technology entrepreneurs," says Mahlet Woldeyes, technical assistant instructor at MIT AITI.
"Additionally, together with the host university, our aim is to build networks of local individuals that will stimulate student innovation, and that include mentors, seed funders and technology leaders," she adds.
AITI is a six-week intensive incubator programme. According to the JCSE, SA needs programmes like this to not only develop skills, but also to encourage students to consider careers in engineering and technology. AITI partners with universities such as Wits to offer advanced courses in entrepreneurship and information and communication technologies (ICTs).
These courses are taught by MIT student instructors, 120 of whom have taught more than 1 500 students in 12 countries worldwide since 2000.
She explains that MIT sends student-led instructor teams to developing regions annually through its summer AITI programme. In most cases, AITI and Google partner with a host university for three to five years, offering at least one intensive course per year, and working with the host university to develop skills in mobile technologies, software development and entrepreneurship.
"It is our hope that the MIT AITI South Africa programme will be coming back again next year," she notes. According to Woldeyes, students have developed seven real-world mobile apps and/or Web sites. Some of these include a real-time translation app; an online platform that promotes African artists and content (music, videos and literature); an optimised diet and meal planner and shopping assistant app; a user-generated, location-based local business database that contains useful information about business addresses, operating hours and reviews; and an inventory organisational and grocery list management app.
"AITI's curriculum is designed such that the students develop their ideas for the mobile apps (and their start-ups) based on local needs. Therefore, all of the solutions developed by our students will advance local organisations in one way or another," Woldeyes says.
For instance, she explains, one of the start-up teams is developing an online patient registry platform for public hospitals with a goal of reducing queue wait times and enhancing overall patient experience. Another team is working on a platform that facilitates local learning by bringing together people with a particular skill with others who want to acquire that skill. She believes this community building app has great potential for improving collaboration and integration in society.
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