Johannesburg, 10 Aug 2022
University of Witwatersrand positions itself as an IT-savvy university that uses technology to enhance all its core processes. As such, Wits decided to adopt a cloud-first approach to the ICT strategy that would enable Wits to deliver operational and security improvements, allowing for continuous modernisation and thus improving student experience. In 2020, in response to a global pandemic and a nationwide lockdown, the institution decided to migrate its learning management system, Sakai, into AWS Cloud to prevent any learning disruption. In just two months, Wits moved its entire LMS platform to the cloud and became one of the universities in the country to continue its semester, avoiding interruptions due to COVID-19 lockdown.
After migrating several applications to AWS cloud, Wits decided to embark on a comprehensive training drive for the ICT team and other key stakeholders within the university to accelerate cloud adoption. The first step was an analysis of its employees’ cloud skills. AWS performed a Learning Needs Analysis by engaging directly with participating employees selected by the University. After the employees completed an online survey, AWS reviewed the results and pinpointed areas of need within the organisation. With the Wits teaching and learning solutions (such as Sakai, Canvas and Big Blue Button) firmly rooted in the cloud, AWS Training programmes enabled the institution to grow, scale and innovate with increased agility.
“If you want to successfully migrate to the cloud, you need to understand if your organisation has cloud knowledge gaps and, if so, where they exist. Our collaboration with AWS allowed us to identify these gaps and create a tailored training plan that quickly upskilled a select portion of our staff, arming them with a foundational knowledge of cloud essentials,” said Wits’ Chief Information Officer Dr Stanley Mpofu. Dr Mpofu is confident that the education sector, along with all industries, need to recognise that cloud skills and the right cloud partner will provide the confidence to innovate faster, take more chances and gather the momentum needed to transform our economy into one that is digitally led. “When you understand how drastically the landscape has changed, you’ll understand the need for stakeholders and partners who can collaborate and help you amplify the power of technology.” Dr Mpofu elaborates. Once cloud benefits are explained and the non-ICT stakeholders go through cloud training on AWS, that fear of the unknown goes away very fast as users begin to appreciate the efficiencies that come with cloud, such as:
- High availability;
- Access from anywhere, anytime using any device;
- Scalability;
- Disaster recovery; and
- Costs.
Wits’ Learning Needs Analysis revealed that out of the IT employees surveyed, almost 80% had never completed any form of AWS training. To address these skills gaps and cater to the university’s digital transformation ambitions, AWS created a targeted, cost-effective training and certification plan. In collaboration with AWS, the Wits team built a data-driven training programme using a mix of free, self-paced digital training and instructor-led training designed by AWS experts. To date, more than 50 essential employees have joined the training programme to gain the cloud skills needed to accelerate Wits' migration and build future cloud innovations.
“We recognise that the growth of the AWS Cloud is contingent upon closing the global cloud skills gap. AWS Training and Certification provides a great path for organisations to upskill and reskill existing talent. But learning never stops, which is why it’s so important for organisations and cloud builders to adopt a culture of continuous learning. We are equipping cloud learners with the common language of the cloud and empowering them to innovate and build, which can lead to radical transformation," said Linda Siso, Head of Education sector at AWS.
Learn more about the AWS Learning Needs Analysis and AWS Training and Certification.
Register here.
Share