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Economics (Science, Technology & Business)
Church in the Community - Media Release in the Herald: 14th November 2021
Source: TCN / Prof Jean Greyling
Date Added: 2022-11-14
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Education, Issues - Social upliftment,
Date Added: 2022-11-14
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Education, Issues - Social upliftment,
Matthew 25 is a well-known scripture referring to Jesus challenging us as his followers to reach out to those who are hungry and thirsty, without clothes and in jail.
For many this is an encouragement to get involved in what I want to classify as “short term outreach”, or simply called charity.
In any functional society, this is an integral and much-needed component. Taking care of the people in immediate need is critical and cannot be undervalued.
As an academic in computer science, I started to see another application of this scripture.
Since 2016 I have been involved in obtaining and sourcing bursaries for our students from various entities.
These bursaries have made it possible for numerous students to complete their studies in Computer Science and Information Systems.
Within the job market of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), our graduates are well sought after, and the vast majority are employed shortly after completing their degrees.
I always encourage the bursary recipients to write us an email of gratitude after graduation, which we then forward to their sponsors. Consequently, we have received many emails from students, but the one feedback always stands out- an SMS I received early in January 2019:
“Prof, I am on the train back home, after my first day at work. Thank you to all who made it possible!”
I immediately forwarded this to the lady we deal with at the sponsoring entity. Her response was just as heart-warming:
“Prof, we must celebrate each young person we get active in the economy.”
These words I will never forget. For me this is the way I believe I can be obedient to Matthew 25.
In a country where our economy is growing more and more dependent on careers in science and technology, every young person we can get employed as a software developer, an engineer, or a data scientist, is something to celebrate.
An important spinoff of science and technology is the “next level” jobs created by it. Uber and Airbnb come to mind, resulting in the employment of 1000’s of people who do not necessarily have technology skills.
The ripple effects of one person finding employment, on immediate family and, more importantly, on future generations, must not be underestimated.
BUT
A harsh reality that remains is that the 4IR, while creating new jobs, is making others obsolete.
This creates a huge challenge to a country such as South Africa, where 16 000 of our 25 000 schools do not have computers.
How do we live out this application of Matthew 25 in those communities?
We cannot be complacent about literally millions of learners missing out. For the teachers and parents in these communities this causes an emotion I call “Anxiety of Missing Out”.
I feel it is a futile exercise to try and install computer labs in 16 000 schools.
Our department in partnership with Leva Foundation has been rolling out the Tangible Africa program introducing learners to coding concepts without the need of computers. Across all 9 provinces, we have reached over 60000 learners in direct workshops, and introduced nearly 20000 teachers to coding.
Through this movement, learners are made aware of many science and technology careers.
Furthermore, many other 21st century skills are enhanced, such as group work, strategy, problem solving, computational thinking and communication.
Any program that reaches out to under-resourced schools, introducing learners to these skills contributes greatly to preparing them for the 4IR job market.
Government, industry, and the broader society must make this investment in our country’s future.
As an important side note, let us applaud every teacher who implants these skills day after day in the classroom.
As part of our coding program in Tsomo (local municipality), Gqeberha (Nelson Mandela Bay iHub) and Cape Town (Fathers’ House church), we are presenting maths, language and coding tutoring in venues made available to us at no cost, often by professionals volunteering their time.
In most communities, churches are often the entities with the most underutilized assets, whether its buildings, other resources, or skills in the pews every Sunday. The term “sweating your assets” comes to mind – making your assets work, in this case for the greater good.
My plea is that churches and their congregations will view education and upskilling as just an important ministry as Sunday school and youth evenings. Do some research, engage with your communities, and identify how you can contribute towards empowering the youth.
In conclusion, I need to emphasize that while the Matthew 25 call for “short term intervention” remains important, having the long view of “getting people active in the economy” will change a society. Our country desperately needs this today.
Since the danger of science and technology “taking away jobs” is real, it is our responsibility to prepare our youth for the 21st century.
Prof Jean Greyling
For many this is an encouragement to get involved in what I want to classify as “short term outreach”, or simply called charity.
In any functional society, this is an integral and much-needed component. Taking care of the people in immediate need is critical and cannot be undervalued.
As an academic in computer science, I started to see another application of this scripture.
Since 2016 I have been involved in obtaining and sourcing bursaries for our students from various entities.
These bursaries have made it possible for numerous students to complete their studies in Computer Science and Information Systems.
Within the job market of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), our graduates are well sought after, and the vast majority are employed shortly after completing their degrees.
I always encourage the bursary recipients to write us an email of gratitude after graduation, which we then forward to their sponsors. Consequently, we have received many emails from students, but the one feedback always stands out- an SMS I received early in January 2019:
“Prof, I am on the train back home, after my first day at work. Thank you to all who made it possible!”
I immediately forwarded this to the lady we deal with at the sponsoring entity. Her response was just as heart-warming:
“Prof, we must celebrate each young person we get active in the economy.”
These words I will never forget. For me this is the way I believe I can be obedient to Matthew 25.
In a country where our economy is growing more and more dependent on careers in science and technology, every young person we can get employed as a software developer, an engineer, or a data scientist, is something to celebrate.
An important spinoff of science and technology is the “next level” jobs created by it. Uber and Airbnb come to mind, resulting in the employment of 1000’s of people who do not necessarily have technology skills.
The ripple effects of one person finding employment, on immediate family and, more importantly, on future generations, must not be underestimated.
BUT
A harsh reality that remains is that the 4IR, while creating new jobs, is making others obsolete.
This creates a huge challenge to a country such as South Africa, where 16 000 of our 25 000 schools do not have computers.
How do we live out this application of Matthew 25 in those communities?
We cannot be complacent about literally millions of learners missing out. For the teachers and parents in these communities this causes an emotion I call “Anxiety of Missing Out”.
I feel it is a futile exercise to try and install computer labs in 16 000 schools.
Our department in partnership with Leva Foundation has been rolling out the Tangible Africa program introducing learners to coding concepts without the need of computers. Across all 9 provinces, we have reached over 60000 learners in direct workshops, and introduced nearly 20000 teachers to coding.
Through this movement, learners are made aware of many science and technology careers.
Furthermore, many other 21st century skills are enhanced, such as group work, strategy, problem solving, computational thinking and communication.
Any program that reaches out to under-resourced schools, introducing learners to these skills contributes greatly to preparing them for the 4IR job market.
Government, industry, and the broader society must make this investment in our country’s future.
As an important side note, let us applaud every teacher who implants these skills day after day in the classroom.
As part of our coding program in Tsomo (local municipality), Gqeberha (Nelson Mandela Bay iHub) and Cape Town (Fathers’ House church), we are presenting maths, language and coding tutoring in venues made available to us at no cost, often by professionals volunteering their time.
In most communities, churches are often the entities with the most underutilized assets, whether its buildings, other resources, or skills in the pews every Sunday. The term “sweating your assets” comes to mind – making your assets work, in this case for the greater good.
My plea is that churches and their congregations will view education and upskilling as just an important ministry as Sunday school and youth evenings. Do some research, engage with your communities, and identify how you can contribute towards empowering the youth.
In conclusion, I need to emphasize that while the Matthew 25 call for “short term intervention” remains important, having the long view of “getting people active in the economy” will change a society. Our country desperately needs this today.
Since the danger of science and technology “taking away jobs” is real, it is our responsibility to prepare our youth for the 21st century.
Prof Jean Greyling
Source: TCN / Prof Jean Greyling
Date Added: 2022-11-14
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Education, Issues - Social upliftment,
Back to News IndexDate Added: 2022-11-14
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Education, Issues - Social upliftment,
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