Continuing Education at University of Pretoria (CE at UP) in South Africa has been signed up as the first SAP Education university partner in Africa. SAP Education is an education-focused division of SAP Africa.
The University of Pretoria is also a member of SAP’s University Alliance programme that globally connects more than 1-million university students, increasing their access to SAP solutions, careers and skills development opportunities.
The strategic partnership between SAP Africa and CE at UP has set as its objective the production of a proactive and relevant response to skills development challenges faced in Africa by creating training and e-learning opportunities in an effort to make a contribution to the economic development of the continent.
In collaboration with SAP, CE at UP will now offer SAP e-learning and training kits to their student and training institution database.
CE at UP together with SAP Africa as a partner, strives to be a key training and career development partner for both commercial and government sectors in Africa to develop a robust skills base through vocational training, supported by an SAP qualification.
“Due to the fact that new and emerging technologies have made it vitally important for individuals to increase their knowledge and upgrade their skills to stay up-to-date within a professional environment, we continually invest in the development of new courses to meet the demands of the dynamic market landscape,” says Deon Herbst, CEO of CE at UP.
“With the support of SAP Africa, CE at UP’s e-learning courses give clients the opportunity to train further and develop their career.”
The collaboration between SAP and CE at UP means that students receive membership to the SAP Student Academy – an additional offering made available to students enrolled at University of Pretoria. The academy offers e-learning courses at a lower cost.
“This innovative partnership with CE at UP is the first of its kind in Africa, as it allows students to pursue tertiary education while getting the necessary SAP skills; resulting in industry and market place-ready individuals,” says Bernadine Jeffrey, SAP Africa Education channel manager.
“Developing the right business and ICT skills is important in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the African market.”
SAP Africa recently launched a formal skills development programme, Skills for Africa, as part of an SAP EMEA Workforce of the Future campaign. The programme is aimed at developing ICT and business skills with a view to employability in key countries in Africa.
To support this effort, SAP Education has made available e-learning training kits in English, French and Portuguese. The kits include printed course material and a data-encrypted dongle.
This innovative cost-effective training solution provides high-quality training material to students living in remote areas with limited or no access to the Internet. SAP is committed to work with its customers and partners to develop this multi-million Euro programme, thereby stimulating employment opportunities across the continent.
According to SAP Africa Education director, Gerhard Alberts, SAP Africa and its partners, customers and educational institutions will continue to collaborate on initiatives such as e-learning programmes, mentorship support and training opportunities in order to fulfil the growing demand for SAP skills, while breaking down the traditional barriers to learning, providing accessibility, sustainability, quality and inclusiveness.