Johannesburg, 30 May 2008
What started out as an initial R50 000 contribution, from Computek, towards a PhD study in ICT Security over a period of two years, has been increased to a R100 000 per year over a four year period, totalling an remarkable R400 000.
This announcement was made by Harry Chakhala, CEO of Computek this week during the handover of the R100 000 bursary monies, pledged during November last year to the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Computek is an empowered ICT solutions company. Chakhala said that the company is committed to making a contribution towards increasing ICT knowledge to benefit business in South Africa. "Our country has a serious shortage of highly qualified resources in the ICT industry. By capitalising on research in ICT, it will have a cascading effect on business and at the same time create a significant pool of knowledge for South and even Southern Africa."
Chakala said that business in South Africa remains at risk with ever changing technology. "The ICT industry faces daily challenges of protecting information, whilst conducting business in a transparent manner. Therefore it is an on-going process to find ways of securing information. By creating more knowledge on this subject, the entire business fraternity will reap the benefits. We are proud to associate with this academic institution."
Prof Manoj Maharaj, Head of School: Information Systems and Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), who accepted the bursary on behalf of the University, said that the bursaries will be advertised in the media. A shortlist of candidates will then be drawn up based on University criteria, upon which the selection of PhD students, researching ICT Security, will take place. Prof. Maharaj expressed his gratitude towards Computek, especially for the confidence shown in their academic institution. "We are grateful and in fact overwhelmed by this financial commitment. UKZN will ensure that the monies are appropriately managed and that this will be the beginning of an ongoing partnership with Computek." Research topics will be chosen in conjunction with all role players, namely SITA, UKZN and Computek.
The University currently has five registered students studying towards PhD in ICT.
For more information contact Computek on 011 805 0229 or UKZN on 031 260 8023.
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