IT Intellect has presented a R40 000 bursary to Boitumelo Mahlaba, a Lenasia Secondary School student who accessed her matric results via SMS. She was announced the winner of the Business Centric Information Technology (BCIT) SMS matric competition at a function on Thursday.
IT Intellect approached BCIT to sponsor a bursary for students accessing their matric results using the BCIT`s automated SMS system. To enter the bursary competition, students had to SMS their exam number and ID number to 35661 in December. Close to 9 916 students used the SMS facility to access their matric results and were automatically entered in the competition.
The bursary will help her to study towards a one year National Certificate in IT at IT Intellect`s Rivonia branch. It is recognised abroad and the students can also use it to write other international exams," explains Roy Pursey, IT Intellect Rivonia branch manager.
"A random selection was done from the BCIT system using a numbered database. The selected student was called in for an interview to evaluate her interest in IT. The bursary forms part of the IT Intellect`s corporate social investment portfolio," said Solomon Sekhu, IT Intellect business development manager.
The SMS facility has become an attractive channel used by low-income groups like students, as it is affordable and the majority of pupils have access to cellphones, said Sekhu. "The SMS facility is also a fast and convenient way for students who are on holiday or those who cannot get the newspaper publication out of the district in which they wrote their exams to get their results.
"This is the first initiative with BCIT. However, IT Intellect gives out about 12 bursaries nationally for this course," said Sekhu.
"We are proud that we can help people to educate themselves and equip themselves for the workplace. The students will be assisted by their trainers during their projects to gain theoretic and practical skills. We also help them to create a business plan, write CVs and facilitate their learnership programme," said Pursey.
IT Intellect, established in 1999, provides ICT training to unemployed learners between the ages of 18 and 25. The centre, accredited by the ISETT SETA, has trained individuals from private companies, small and medium businesses, large corporations and government.
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