The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has introduced two 100% free fully online courses to the public namely, the Introduction to "Artificial Intelligence in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)" and 'African Insights' to all students.
Over the last few years UJ has worked towards upskilling and reskilling people for current and future jobs through its full-time and fully online short learning programmes. This is in line with the university's global excellence and stature (GES) 4.0 strategic objective underpinned by the Forth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala is an important agent of change in South Africa in terms of the 4IR and the development of the 4IR course is part of the initiatives driven by him. Professor Marwala is an acclaimed academic and scientist who has authored many books, including the bestseller, Closing the Gap: The Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa in 2020.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) was first introduced by UJ in 2019 as a fully online massive open online course (MOOC) and Professor Marwala says that the course offers an Artificial Intelligence module for all of the students.
"The module covers what AI is, what it can do, how it's used and some of its implications, ethically and productively. The course won't teach you how to code but it will show you how you can expect AI to impact your life", said Professor Marwala.
He says that the aim of the module is part of UJ's plan to prepare students, staff and the community for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and ensuring that the university becomes Africa's leader in 4IR.
"There can never be the African renaissance unless we are active agents of 4IR. The important ingredient that will ensure that we are participants and not spectators of 4IR is education; education that is correlated to the demands of the fourth industrial age and that is grounded in the Pan African agenda,"-UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala
The other free fully online MOOC called African Insights introduces students to intellectual traditions and debates within Africa.
Students are encouraged to complete these courses during the duration of the formal programme that they are registered for.
The public also have the opportunity to enrol in these courses offered by UJ, for free.
There no entry requirements or classes which need to be attended. All assessments for these courses are in the form of multiple choice questions (MCQs). Both MOOCs consist of eight modules and once the courses have been completed successfully students will receive a digital certificate which can be viewed and shared with third parties or possible employers through the UJ Digital Certificate platform.
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