Post date: Aug 28, 2016 6:19:38 AM
Some of you may remember Swazi Scholar Sisikelo visiting us before heading off to university. He is so eloquent in his communication. It is fantastic to think that collectively the teachers at UWC have helped Sisikelo to have such an impact on the lives of others.
Hope this email finds you well. I wanted to give you an update on what I have been up to for the past few months, since our last meeting a few months ago.
I am currently doing my internship with FNB (a bank in Southern Africa). I am planning to study computer Science hence I am working with the retail team, creating products for university students ( because banks usually charge too much ). I am enjoying it as it is giving me a view of the corporate world.(I think I enjoy the corporate world, but I would prefer to be more out and about hence I am considering if a desk job is truly meant for ).
Outside of the classroom I have been focusing on new technologies that have potential improve the African continent. This inspiration was birthed by my participation in being part of the team that hosted the first TEDxALC conference in Mauritius.
Firstly, I took a deep dive at Bitcoin (an online currency) that allows the sending and receiving of funds without using a bank. I focused on how money move cheaper throughout the African continent. Unfortunately, internet is still an issue we need to solve on our piece of land.
I then focused on Virtual Reality (VR). VR allows one to be transported to another part of the world by simply using their smart phone. I have been looking at ways in which VR can be used for education. In rural areas where teachers and equipment is lacking, I do believe VR is the answer.
My most recent project, is working on a more efficient way to travel around Swaziland. Transport in Swaziland is relatively cheap as compared to other parts of the world. Big tech companies such Uber are know for their innovativeness. This is so however they are very first world based. This led me to start researching how we can manipulate what we have to make an efficient transport system that is authentically ours. I have to say, the efficiency of the Singapore transport did play a key role in me realising that I do not have to hope that transport arrives on time.
For my first year at ALU, I have been focusing on coming back to Swaziland. However, for the next few years, I am going to travel a bit of the world. I believe I am what I am because of the people I have met. And for me to be the best me for the world, I need to see and interact with as much of it as possible.
I want to visit other UWCs, especially, UWC in Germany and Thailand as these are our youngest hence I believe I can play more of an impactful role there.
Kindly
Sisekelo