The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with technology company Google South Africa to advance digital skills development and the integration of AI in South Africa’s education sector.

In a media release, the department noted that this marks the fourth successful public-private partnership for student and youth skills development concluded by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Dr Mimmy Gondwe.

The DHET pointed out that the MoU focusses on five key areas.

The first is skills training, with the MoU providing for access to training programmes, including 10 000 Google Career Certificate scholarships in fields such as AI essentials, cybersecurity and data analytics, with the aim to benefit students, educators and IT staff in selected public universities, technical and vocational education and training colleges and community education and training colleges, with an emphasis on rural and township areas.

Secondly, Google will deliver AI training for educators through programmes such as ‘Generative AI for Educators’ and collaborate on a train-the-trainer model to promote wider skills sharing.

Thirdly, the agreement also includes the provision of relevant Google AI products to public institutions, including for curriculum development, where Google will facilitate access to AI and technology curricula, co-create localised content and assist with integration at institutions.

Additionally, Google will provide device support by deploying ChromeOS Flex to revitalise existing hardware, offering strategic hardware advice and empowering IT teams through advanced training.

Lastly, the MoU will also include collaboration on policy and governance, sharing expertise on AI policy development and the use of AI in public institutions.

The MoU will be executed and carried out over a period of two years.

“Today is not just a signing ceremony for us.

“As far as we are concerned, we are coming together on a shared and common vision around what we want to do to make an impact, a meaningful impact, in our country and we are here to formalise this partnership between Google and the department so that we can bridge the gaps that exist between public policy, academic excellence and industry innovation,” Google South Africa country director Kabelo Makwane said during the signing ceremony.

Makwane explained that digital technology was helping to grow the local economy, with Google tools alone having contributed an estimated R118-billion to the economy in 2023.

He added that AI was set to add another estimated R172-billion, creating new skills and unlocking growth opportunities for all citizens. 

Makwane also noted that the global market for AI opportunities was estimated to be about $15.7-trillion, of which South Africa in the next three years stood to see an economic impact of almost $9-billion.

“To unlock this economic value, we must embrace technology and decisively address the skills shortage. We must empower our youth to be creators and innovators of solutions that serve Africa's unique context,” he said.

During her keynote address, Gondwe expressed that the partnership between the DHET and Google South Africa further advanced the aspirations of the National Development Plan 2030, which she pointed out called for a capable State, an inclusive economy and a transformed post-school system that drives growth and opportunity.

She said it also responded directly to the priorities identified by the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which emphasised the urgency of building national capabilities in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and digital innovation.

“What distinguished this partnership is not only its ambition, but its clear focus on implementation, scale and measurable impact. It is structured around practical interventions that speak directly to the challenges we face and the opportunities we must unlock.”