The University of Venda (UNIVEN) recently held the CyberSecureTech Hackathon, an event aimed at bolstering practical cyber security skills among students. This initiative is part of UNIVEN's broader strategy to strengthen South Africa's digital skills pipeline by bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world cyber security challenges. The hackathon recognized top-performing teams, awarding a total of R40,000 in prize money to encourage innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among participants.
UNIVEN's CyberSecureTech initiative reflects a growing trend within higher education to embed future-ready digital competencies in students. This is particularly important in high-demand areas such as cyber security, artificial intelligence, and data governance. The program is supported by a memorandum of understanding with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which aims to advance cyber security awareness and collaboration. The global demand for cyber security professionals continues to outpace supply, with South Africa experiencing a significant skills gap that mirrors global trends.
The hackathon was designed to provide students with hands-on experience in developing solutions that meet real-world cyber security demands. It was delivered in partnership with industry stakeholders including Adapt IT, Cisco, TakeNote IT, Geekulcha, and the Department of Science and Innovation. These collaborations brought together multidisciplinary teams from various institutions, fostering problem-solving, creativity, and innovation under pressure. The event aligned its outputs with national priorities around digital trust and ethical technology development.
Dr. Willard Munyoka, Head of Business Information Systems at UNIVEN, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership with CSIR. He noted that the solutions developed during the hackathon have the potential to be patented, commercialized, and scaled into viable businesses. This initiative gained momentum following a 2024 public lecture by former CSIR chief researcher Dr. Jackie Phahlamohlaka, which sparked student interest and led to the launch of the inaugural CyberSecureTech Hackathon.
The hackathon not only awarded prizes but also signaled UNIVEN's intent to position CyberSecureTech as a sustained development platform rather than a one-time event. By cultivating a pipeline of cyber security talent, UNIVEN aims to contribute significantly to South Africa's digital economy. Students and organizations are encouraged to participate in such programs to develop innovative solutions that can address the growing cyber risk landscape.
Source: https://www.itweb.co.za/article/univen-hackathon-drives-cyber-security-innovation-pipeline/rxP3jqBELWmMA2ye