3Com SA, a leading provider of communications equipment, and SchoolNet, an organisation that seeks to promote and implement online training initiatives in South African schools, have formed a joint venture to encourage leadership and skills development in township communities.
To date, communications equipment worth more than R1 million has been donated to 10 schools and community centres in a move to provide platforms and channels for the potential development of students and the unemployed.
Fully functional learning centres have been established in the following schools:
Thotagauta Senior Seconday, Welkom Seconday School, Greenfields Primary Girls, Nathaniel Nyaluza High School, Crescent Girls` High School, Lemosanang Teacher`s Centre, Soshanguve High School, Ngaka Maseko High School and Laerskool Bekker.
According to Maurizio Zussa, new business development manager at 3Com SA, the move demonstrates 3Com`s on-going commitment to the training and upliftment of young people and adults in SA.
"The prevailing shortage of skilled professionals in South Africa means that industry players must form working strategic alliances with needy communities in order to close the skills gap and bridge the digital divide," he says. "The 3Com/SchoolNet partnership is a product of this thinking."
Zussa says knowledge is key to the future of industrial and commercial development in SA: "In order to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of employers in the future, training and skills development need to become key focus areas for both big business in partnership with the communities that serve them," he says.
Denis Brandjes from SchoolNet welcomes the 3Com donation. He says 3Com has also committed a significant amount of resources to the design and development of the schools` network infrastructures.
"The network equipment provided by 3Com includes the same components found in a sizeable corporate systems: desktop/edge switches, a core switch, network interface cards (NICs), a remote-access server and network management software," he says.
According to Brandjes, 3Com has continued to demonstrate its commitment to SA and the upliftment of its peoples, despite the downturn in the IT industry.
"SchoolNet, and our partner agency NetDay, are honoured to have worked with 3Com. Their efforts highlight the possibilities that exist within disadvantaged communities for education and skills transfer through the use of technology.
"Through this donation, the schools will be able to offer have enriched learning experiences to students and members of their community," he says.
Share
Editorial contacts