Telecommunications & Postal Services DM celebrates ‘International Girls in ICT Day’

The Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Stella Ndabeni- Abrahams, joined ORBIT TVET College on the 3rd of May, to celebrate ‘International Girls in ICT Day’. Participating, were young girls and women in Grades 10-12 from neighbouring secondary schools in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.

The event was held at Mankwe Campus. The event was aimed at making girls and young women aware of the various opportunities that are available and offered by the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. Addressing approximately 150 young women, the Deputy Minister emphasised the value of investing in techno-girls for the entrepreneurial and economic inclusion agenda. She further committed to training at least 20 internet providers from the Moses Kotane area in domain name reselling. Even though the ICT industry is transforming and becoming more welcoming to women, the lack of young women attracted to ICT studies is still reflected in ICT companies and government agencies around the world. The ICT sector remains male dominated, especially at senior levels.

However, there are women and female stakeholders making their mark in the ICT sector. Some of these were invited to share their personal journeys with the learners. They spoke on how they got to where they are today in the ICT sector.

ORBIT TVET College Deputy Principal: Academic Programmes and Student Support Services, Mr Tumisang Mosito, articulated the point that TVET Colleges can only deliver on their empowerment mandate if they are supported in terms of infrastructure, equipment, machinery and knowledge. These facets can be added through partnerships. “As a public institution, we need partnerships in order for us to do justice to this mandate. We salute the Telecommunications and Postal Services Ministry for allowing us to be their partner of choice. As an institution, we see this approach as a commitment to improving the living and learning conditions in the historically disadvantaged situation”, Mr Mosito added.

The event concluded with the Deputy Minister presenting certificates to 25 young women who had completed the ICT training conducted by the Department in collaboration with INTEL SA in 2015. International Girls in ICT Day, is an annual initiative. It is supported by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Member States, to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the ICT Sector.

By Tshegofatso Rapoo – E-Media & Communications Administrator

Sourced from TVET College Times – Volume 54 2018