Wipro and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) have launched the second edition of their Future CIO learning programme for South Africa.
The programme’s objective is to impart leadership skills, build proficiency in technologies of the future and help mould leaders with a globalised outlook.
The six month-long programme comprises of three modules covering theoretical and practical skills in technology and business. The first module, which focuses on enterprise leadership, is held at the GIBS campus in Johannesburg over four days. The second module has candidates travel to India for a week, where they experience on-ground innovation and receive in-depth theoretical and hands-on training on global leadership skills and technology themes at Wipro’s offices in India. The last module on Strategic Thinking is conducted over four days at the GIBS campus.
The participants in the programme have access to the best-in-class thought leadership from some of the world’s leading and established technology experts, who provide invaluable insights into subjects such as ‘disruptive technologies’, ‘barriers to innovative thinking’ and ‘innovating for a future market’.
The nominations for this programme have to come directly from the CEOs and Boards of their respective organisations, across industry sectors, in South Africa. The candidates are further shortlisted by a panel of experts.
“For me, the best part about the programme was integrating new concepts with what I already know, understanding where the future of technology is and how it can be applied in solving today’s problems,” says Nick Mbuyane, technical UAT manager at MTN, who graduated from the Future CIO 2015 programme.
“For us, as a business school, it was important to create a programme that focused on understanding how the role of the CIO is evolving,” says Abdullah Verachia, GIBS faculty lead of the Future CIO programme. “There is a lot of potential in South Africa and there are many aspirant CIOs. Working with Wipro on this programme, we are proud to have been able to help some of the brightest minds to unleash their potential and fulfill their professional goals.”
Gavin Holme, country manager: Africa at Wipro, says: “Technology has become central to change in both the consumer and business space, and continues to shape our existence. Keeping up with these constant changes is essential, and the Future CIO programme fills a niche in the market to address this need. There is a natural synergy that GIBS and Wipro bring to each other and to this programme.
“Globally, Wipro has always aligned to education initiatives and South Africa is no different. Wipro is deeply committed to the skills transformation agenda within South Africa and as a Level 2 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) contributor, we actively participate in this drive.”
