LIMPOPO – The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) laboratory was officially launched in Vhembe TVET College’s Makwarela Campus on August 11.
The college students are now able to experience real-life work scenarios that the college principal, Basani Hlekane, believes will prepare students for their participation in the 4IR with theoretical, laboratory and on-the-job training.
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Hlekane added the laboratory currently boasts with four state-of-the-art machines, namely a industrial production line machine, a robotic arm, a 3D printing machine and a soldamatic welding simulator.
“Vhembe TVET College is ready to heed the call for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and create an environment where students can enjoy the highest levels of human development. For the college to create such an equitable and inclusive future, we must adjust our mindset and our institution. We are thankful that in 2019 Education, Training and Development Practices [ETDP] Seta funded our college and established a fully inclusive artificial intelligence laboratory,” Hlekane added.
At the launch the director general for the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, said it was exciting to launch a programme in line with the work commissioned by ETDP Minister Dr Blade Nzimande. “In 2019, he appointed a ministerial task team to investigate the implementation of the 4IR in response to the challenges and opportunities students face regarding the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Sishi explained.
Sishi was joined at the launch by Hlekane, ETDP Seta CEO Nombulelo Nxesi, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, councillors in both Vhembe district and Thulamela, as well as various role players in the education sector.
“We are happy that Vhembe TVET College heeded the call and we are here today to launch the 4IR lab. Some of the opportunities that must be embraced with the establishment of the 4IR requires that our education and training system should become far more agile, and to engage people much more actively in lifelong learning as societies and transforming economies. New skills will be required to create, maintain and leverage these new technologies,” said Sishi.
According to him, it is vital that education and training on 4IR is visible and, more importantly, available at the level of higher education to ensure students adapt and learn to become and remain relevant.
