admintechnology skills development in South Africa.
This follows a meeting involving German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Annette Schavan, visited SAP offices in Johannesburg, and senior SAP Africa officials.
The visit and subsequent meetings took place under the auspices of the German-South African Year of Science 2012/13, which was launched by Schavan and former South African Minister for Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor in April last year.
Addressing the high-powered delegation, SAP Africa chief executive officer, Pfungwa Serima highlighted that SAP’s corporate social responsibility strategy focused on youth entrepreneurship, workforce development, science, technology and maths.
“We understand that the aim of the German government’s strategy for Africa is to capitalise on the potential inherent in opportunities for co-operation in a spirit of partnership for the benefit of the people of Germany and Africa.”
Serima added that the impact of many of SAP’s programmes are aligned to this vision.
Strategic partnership
German Ambassador to South Africa Horst Freitag hailed SAP initiatives adding South Africa and Germany share a strategic partnership and their societies enjoy a special bond of friendship.
Germany and South Africa have co-operated closely in joint research projects since 1996.
Both countries are committed to research and development in a true spirit of partnership and mutual exchange in order to overcome the global challenges.
The German-South African Year of Science focuses on climate change, human capital development, bio-economics, urbanisation/megacities, astronomy, health innovation, and humanities and social sciences.
“In this 21st century, we are facing new challenges: globalisation, climate change, job creation and poverty eradication, for example, will have an impact on the economic and security environment and on our way of life.
“In today’s world, our countries must stand together to meet these challenges and to ensure that our shared values of democracy and freedom will prevail.
“The German-South African Year of Science is a prime example of such a sustainable co-operation,” said Freitag.
During the visit by the German delegation, SAP was able to showcase a number of initiatives that demonstrate support of science, maths and technology using programmes that were undertaken through the SAP Next Business and Technology division, the SAP University Alliances programme and the SAP Academy of Education.
The Germany-headquartered firm is a significant contributor to major science centres across South Africa.
Support normally entails funding and volunteer activities during the SAP Month of Service every October.
An example of the impact was highlighted in 2012 when more than 200 000 learners benefited from science and mathematics education programmes at the SAP auditorium located in the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg.
Overall SAP’s efforts have meant that more than 1,5 million learners across South Africa have been given access to science and maths education through different science centres in 2012 alone.
Education for the disadvantaged
SAP recently funded the construction of the ICT Academy building at Cida University — a free university which offers education to the most disadvantaged Africans on the continent.
In addition to the funding, SAP also provides an SAP Business One software certification programme to students through a blended learning experience. In 2012, the students achieved a remarkable 100 percent pass rate and have since been in demand with SAP partners and customers.
Meanwhile, during this four-day trip, Schavan and her delegation will visit various institutions and companies in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
In addition to political meetings with high-level South African government representatives, this visit places particular emphasis on innovative business, vocational education and training as well as non-governmental organisations with a specific focus on science and education.
This is her third visit to South Africa. – CAJ News.
Online Reporter