Building a cadre of MKI Graduates

We want to develop graduates who exhibit leadership qualities and a passion to take their knowledge back to their communities.
Such candidates will be formed and influenced not only by the subject matter (STEM) expertise that they acquire, but will be specifically influenced by an enrichment programme offered in parallel to the programme-specific content. This enrichment programme will aim to differentiate MKI funded programmes from all similar offerings in KZN.

Attributes of this programme include:

• It (the enrichment programme) will not be a simple ‘add on’ of extra curricula, but rather it will be the process where the methodologies used to transfer knowledge in each of the subject areas will focus on innovative interventions that are capable of breaking the poor performance pattern that has plagued service delivery achievement to date.
• It is intended to develop each MKI ‘graduate’ in a holistic way. This programme offers a rich experience of Ubuntu and inculcates a desire to give back to the communities from which the MKI learners will be drawn.
• It is threaded through each capacity building programme, not only as a stand-alone programme, but integrated into each of the subject matter modules as well.
• Ways of integrating this critical cross-field outcome have been through customised assignments, project work and teaching content to overlay issues of the liberation struggle, issues of Ubuntu etc.
• It inculcates a sense of history, (where we have come from) and a sense of a better future- where we are going.

Building Research capability in the Province

In order to aid in building a proficient research capability within KZN, we will engage the following process/es:

• Testing and piloting of innovative project methodologies and concepts- attracting research grants and recognition for output/s.
• Develop a research capability with the focus on innovation.
• Serve as a pioneer in the application and transfer of new technologies.

Becoming a trusted knowledge leader

In becoming the trusted knowledge leader we deem the following as important:

• Orchestrating the multitude of STEM interventions as a neutral player, with delivery informed by research, thereby attracting funds and innovative projects.
• To be known and trusted for our ability to deliver exceptional STEM programmes that makes a difference.
• To Identify, establish and orchestrate productive and collaborative arrangements with strategic partners.

Contributing to economic development in the Province

We will contribute to economic development in the province by:

• Establishing the Software Engineering Institute to attract IT investment to KZN, hence providing economic development through an expanded business base.
• Establishing a BPO Institute to attract foreign and direct investment through Call Centres to KZN, hence providing economic development through an expanded business base.
• Using venture creation as our training exit strategy to ensure self-employment options for those not employed in the formal sector, hence providing for poverty alleviation.
• Establishment of new SMMEs in the ICT sector to serve the needs of an expanding ICT base in the Province, hence providing for job creation.
• Creation of a pool of advanced IT talent in the Province to service the needs of vertical industries driven by IT and STEM capability, hence providing skills as a vehicle for economic development.
• Creation of a pool of appropriately skilled STEM graduates capable of underpinning service delivery through the public and private sectors in KZN, hence providing enhanced levels of service delivery.
• Building a pool of appropriately skilled Maths and Science educators to overcome a key blockage in the system that reduces STEM capability in the Province.