3 Reasons To Study Computer Science In South Africa

Thursday, 14 July 2022

Between January and May 2022, there were a record number of technology and digital job openings worldwide. Today, the key to a better future is to pursue a job in computer science in South Africa.

Between January and May 2022, the number of tech and digital job openings worldwide reached a new record high, according to statistics from the job search engine Adzuna and examined by TechNation for the UK Digital Economy Council.

According to an examination of the most recent employment data by a nonprofit group for the industry and the Information Technology (IT) workforce, tech companies have been hiring professionals for the previous ten months, and job ads for computer scientists reached a new high in May.

Only 121,000 of the 26.8 million software engineers in South Africa are actively working. It becomes evident why digital expertise is difficult to find for South African businesses when you consider that 38% of African developers work for at least one company outside of the continent.

Malcolm Laing,  founding member of the Academy of Accelerated Technology Education (AATE) explained in an article from Business Tech that the already impressive demand for technical skills both locally and internationally is intensifying as a result of the transition from monolithic on-premises IT solutions to in-cloud rent-and-assemble models in South Africa.

To provide some aid on two major problems that the country is now facing -record unemployment rate and the ongoing skills shortage in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry- the AATE rises as a new project by South African corporations that attempts to solve them.

We share the 3 reasons to study Computer Science in South Africa:

1. Computer Science Graduates In Demand

This strong demand is a result of the necessity of software developer talents in almost every field of technology -non-tech companies included-.

Computer Science graduates do more than merely design, develop, and build the software and applications that are used by numerous enterprises. Additionally, they are responsible for all aspects of technology management, upkeep, development, and innovation.

The Computer Science degree goes deeper into subjects including computer systems, algorithms, programming, software, hardware, and data organization systems.

Also, the field and responsibilities span is so wide -with many verticals and languages-, which explains why the demand for candidates is so high.

Margaret Pekelaar, head of people in DevOps Practice at Altron Systems Integration explains that organizations are hiring for a limited pool of IT skills, and that as more businesses show interest in creating and integrating technology, the competition is getting worse.

Companies continue to place the greatest demand on IT roles, while security professions have also seen a significant rise in recruiting.

The IT services and bespoke software development sectors saw the largest increase in hiring in the technology sector in May. Additionally, employment rose in the fields of data processing, hosting and related services, computer and electronic product manufacturing, and other information services, such as search engines.

In contrast, the CompTIA report shows a reduction in telecommunications employment, each and every one of which would be best filled by graduates in computer science.

2. Abundant Job Offers in South Africa

The future of southafrican computer scientists looks very bright.

“Artificial intelligence and automation are rapidly changing the business landscape, and cyber security and cloud migration are more urgent than ever. In South Africa, IT professionals are able to secure work globally, either through emigration or remote work opportunities, which makes it even harder to secure local talent,” says Pekelaar.

In addition to the various positions they can have within a business, LinkedIn reports that there are currently more than 10,000 openings for persons with a background in computer science.

3. Many Universities In South Africa Offer Computer Science

Training is the secret to success. For every entry-level technology and digital job that is offered, there are roughly eight expert roles available for individuals with a career in computers.

This only serves to demonstrate how important it is for businesses to have the digital abilities so they can flourish. Hence, pursuing a computer science degree is ideal to enhance on-the-job skills. You can even acquire a certificate online.

Learn more about the race in this article: 7 Tips for Online College Classes

According to a Tech Nation and YouGov survey, 64% of technology professionals believed having technology skills was necessary for getting a job.

Additionally, 26% of them think that learning new digital or technological skills will enable them to make more money in the future.

The decision of employees to improve their abilities is merely one factor. Many colleges and businesses are concentrating on providing future technology leaders and developers with on-the-job training to continue to grow in order to support the expansion of the talent pool.

Even Amazon and Google, have launched worldwide educational programs to train employees.

There are several universities that include Computer Science in their programs to continue preparing new generations of professionals to face such demand.

Find the best universities in South Africa offering Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree in our website startuniversity.co.za, or click these options to study computer science his year:

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Computer Science and Information Systems by Nelson Mandela University.
• Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science by Pearson Institute of Higher Education.
• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Computer and Information Science by Nelson Mandela University.
• Bachelor of Science with Honours in Computer Science by Stellenbosch University.
• Bachelor of Science with Honours in Computer Science by University of Johannesburg.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science by University of the Witwatersrand

We invite you to fill out the registration form to request more information about these programs. You can also visit our official website, startuniversity.co.za, where you can find all the programs that will allow you to earn a degree in computer science and further your professional career.