Industry supports CoachLab initiative

Johannesburg, 30 Jul 2009

The CoachLab initiative is bridging the gap between the world of academics and the business world, said Oupa Mopaki, CEO of ISETT SETA.

At the unveiling of the second CoachLab initiative at the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) this week, Mopaki and other industry players praised the initiative and congratulated those involved in its success.

The JCSE, local universities and industry players have partnered with CoachLab to open the CoachLab@JCSE, which is located on Wits University's East Campus.

The nine-month post-graduate leadership development programme aims to instil business principles and the value of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking among ICT post-graduate students.

Mopaki said he was not sure if universities would ever be in a position to produce students that are fully ready for the working world, which is why industry needs to play its part in providing on-the-job skills and training for students.

“ISETT SETA is fully behind this initiative and we will make our resources available. We look forward to working together in this partnership,” Mopaki added.

A spokesperson from the City of Johannesburg committed its support to the initiative, saying CoachLab will produce the leaders required to develop Johannesburg into a digital city.

Also speaking at the event was Microsoft SA MD Mteto Nyati, who noted the company's involvement in CoachLab allowed it to do something positive around ICT leadership in the country. “This is a key opportunity to make a change,” said Nyati.

Ralf Dominick, MD of Barone, Budge and Dominick, a primary partner in the initiative, said the programme would breed the ICT superstars of tomorrow. Encouraging this year's participants, Dominick said: “You need to innovate. You need to become superstars that reach for the highest levels.”

Microsoft and Barone, Budge and Dominick agree that a large part of CoachLab's success depends on the willingness of the sponsor companies to invest time and human resources, not only money, to help students understand the culture of business.

Any company wishing to get involved with the CoachLab@JCSE programme for 2010 can e-mail Caroline Kruger at caroline@JCSE.org.za.