As we commemorate World STEM/STEAM Day on 8 November, SAS, a global leader in analytics, takes pride in showcasing its significant contributions over the past year to STEM education across South Africa.
The company continues to play an instrumental role in nurturing the next generation of data scientists and analytics professionals through a variety of programmes, partnerships and mentorship initiatives.
André Zitzke, Manager: Global Academic Programmes for Africa at SAS, has been at the forefront of these efforts, showcasing the company’s strong commitment to equipping local youth with essential skills for the digital era.
“In this age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is crucial to empower our youth with the right skills and mindset. SAS is dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes learning, growth, creativity and inclusivity,” said Zitzke.
A key highlight of the year was the partnerships with the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, and the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) for their respective ‘Divas and Dudes in Data’ and ‘Women in Analytics and Dudes in Data’ annual events.
These initiatives are aimed at increasing the data science graduate pipeline by engaging with and inspiring high school learners, particularly Grade 11 students, as well as university students, by showcasing the numerous opportunities within analytics and data science. Notably, SAS plays a vital role in encouraging students to opt for mathematics over mathematical literacy, opening up broader career prospects in the analytics space.
SAS also made significant strides in its learnership and internship programmes, providing invaluable industry experience to the younger generation. Collaborating with Sparrow FET, SAS supported a cohort of 12 disabled learners, underlining the company’s determination to enhance demographic representation in the tech sector.
Further, SAS continues to support and advocate for the Teachers4DataAnalytics programme, a series of workshops in partnership with local universities aimed at bolstering the capacity of teachers to inspire their students toward careers in data analytics. Plans are underway to scale this initiative across the country and beyond borders into Africa, demonstrating SAS’s investment in the development of educators for the instrumental impact they have on the youth as well.
On a personal level, Zitzke embraced a mentorship role with a programme leader from the Boys and Girls Club, following SAS’s sponsorship of the Coding4Mandela Day Tournament. This mentorship highlights the transformative impact of personal engagement in creating lasting change in individuals and communities.
SAS’s support extended to the Campus Innov8 Hackathon, which promotes innovation and robotics skills for addressing societal challenges, with a particular focus on ‘Infrastructure Security in Local Government’.
In addition, the Statistics sector at UKZN is preparing to host the annual conference of the South African Statistical Association (SASA) from 27 November to 1 December 2023 in Durban. This national conference will culminate in a ‘Business Day’ focus and is set to bring together academics, practitioners, and employers of graduates in Statistics and Data Science. Zitzke is playing a pivotal role in orchestrating the programme for this significant event.
Over the last 10 years SAS has also sponsored an annual Honours Bursary through SASA, which provides an opportunity for a well deserving candidate to further their education and therein their career pursuits in stats and data science. To date, 6 recipients of the Honours Bursary have not only successfully completed their Honours but have gone on to Masters level studies.
Separately, SAS has also sponsored monetary prizes for first, second and third place winners in the SASA Honours Project competition, which will be presented, and winners announced at the annual conference later this month.
“As we celebrate a year of impactful initiatives, SAS remains steadfast in its commitment to investing in the development of STEM skills and fostering a diverse and inclusive community in the country. Our extensive engagement with educational institutions, students, and educators bears testament to this commitment,” said Zitzke.
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