BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE – High school leavers are advised that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has issued a list of tertiary institutions and programmes of study that the Ministry will be funding during the coming academic year.
According to information sourced from the Ministry’s Facebook page, the priority list will run from 2023 until 2027 and both local and some international institution will be considered for sponsorship by the Ministry.
External Tertiary Institutions recognised by the Ministry are in countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Kenya. School leavers who want to study in these countries are advised to apply for scholarships in May. Those who want to study in South Africa and Namibia are advised to apply in November and December. Those who want to study in local tertiary institutions are supposed to apply for scholarships between June and July.
The tertiary institutions where the Ministry will pay for students it will sponsor include University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT), Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU), Southern African Nazarene University (SANU), Eswatini College of Technology (ECOT), William Pitcher Teachers Training College, and Ngwane Teachers Training College.
Other tertiary institutions include Good Shepherd College of Nursing, Eswatini Medical Rescue College, Advanced School of Science and Technology (ASIT/ RSTP), Gwamile – VOCTIM (Vocational and Commercial Training Institute Matsapha), Botho University (Eswatini Campus only), and Institute of Development Management (IDM).
External tertiary institutions recognised by the Ministry include Nelson Mandela Metropolitan (Forestry), North West University, University of Johannesburg, University of KwaZulu Natal, University of Pretoria, University of Zululand, University of Witwatersrand, University of Botswana, and the National University of Lesotho.
Other external tertiary institutions include the University of Namibia, Namibia University of Science and Technology, University of Tanzania (Muhumbuli), University of Nairobi, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe College of Forestry, and Botswana International University of Science Technology (BIUST).
According to the Ministry, Eswatini continued to face structural impediments that hindered economic growth and kept unemployment high, particularly among the youth. The elasticity of employment to growth appeared constrained by structural factors such as, among others, (i) large skill mismatches in the labour market, particularly for higher education skills leading to poor absorbtion into the labour market, low productivity and poor job creation opportunities (National Skills Audit 2022).
Reforms in the country’s skills development efforts could support increase in the elasticity of employment to economic growth, and addressing skill mismatches and human capital development could potentially improve long-term growth and employment dynamics. To this end the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through the National Skills Audit 2022 has identified skills/ human development areas that the Government needed to focus on for economic growth hence the priority programmes below for 2023- 2027.
The areas of human resource skills development for the country are categorised into 11 disciplines:
The disciplines include Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) thematic areas which include: Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences, Agricultural Science, Economics and Business, Information Communication and Technology, STEM Education, Social Sciences, Tourism and Hospitality, Environmental Sciences and Manufacturing and General Industry.
Below are the programmes of study and the institutions to be sponsored by the Ministry:
UNIVERSITY OF ESWATINI (UNESWA)
AGRICULTURE
B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness Management
B.Sc. in Agricultural Education
B.Sc. in Agricultural Extension
B.Sc. in Agronomy
B.Sc. in Animal Science
B.Sc. in Animal Science (Dairy)
B.Sc. in Horticulture
B.Sc. in Agricultural & Bio-systems Engineering
COMMERCE
Bachelor of Commerce
CONSUMER SCIENCES
B.Sc. in Food Science, Nutrition & Technology
B.Sc. in Consumer Science
B.Sc. in Consumer Science Education
B.Sc. in Textile and Apparel Design & Management
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Education Primary (Language Arts)
Bachelor of Education Primary (Social Studies)
Bachelor of Education Primary (Science) Bachelor of Education Secondary (Science)
Bachelor of Education Secondary (Business Education)
Bachelor of Education Secondary (Humanities)
HEALTH SCIENCES
Bachelor of Nursing Science
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health & Food Science
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management & Occupational Safety & Health
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management & Water Resources
HUMANITIES
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication
SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic)
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Education
Bachelor of Science in Information Science
Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
Bachelor of Social Work
LIMKOKWING UNIVERSITY OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Associate Degree in Architecture
Associate Degree in Business Information Technology
Associate Degree in Business Management
Associate Degree in Creative Multimedia
Associate Degree in Event Management
Associate Degree in Graphic Design
Associate Degree in Hotel Management
Associate Degree in Information Technology
Associate Degree in International Tourism
Associate Degree in Journalism and Media
Associate Degree in Music Design
Associate Degree in Public Relations
Associate Degree in TV and Film Production
ESWATINI MEDICAL CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Science
Bachelor in Psychology
Bachelor in Radiography
Bachelor in Pharmacy
Bachelor in Medical Laboratory
Bachelor in Social Work
SOUTHER AFRICAN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY
Diploma in Pharmacy
Primary Teacher Diploma
Bachelor in Medical Laboratory
Bachelor of Science in Nursing & Midwifery
Diploma in Entrepreneurial & Business Management
ESWATINI COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Automotive Engineering
Diploma in Architectural Technology
Diploma in Building Studies
Diploma in Commercial Teaching
Diploma in Computer Science
Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Diploma in Human Resource Management
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Diploma in Office Management
Diploma in Quantity Survey
Diploma in Automotive Engineering Heavy
Diploma in Civil Engineering
Secondary Teacher Diploma in Information Technology
WILLIAM PITCHER COLLEGE
Secondary Teacher Diploma
NGWANE TRAINING COLLEGE
Primary Teacher Diploma
GOOD SHEPHERD COLLEGE OF NURSING
Diploma in Nursing
Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health
Post- Diploma Certificate in Mid- Wifery
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESCUE COLLEGE
Diploma in Emergency Medical Care & Rescue
BSc in Emergency Medical Care & Rescue
ADVANCED SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ASIT- RSTP)
Information Security & Ethical Hacking
Cyber Security & Network Forensic
Aptech Certified Network Specialist
Arena Animation International Program
Aptech Certified Computer Professional
Aptech Certified Network Specialist
GWAMILE – VOCTIM: (VOCATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAINING INSTITUTE MATSAPHA)
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Diploma in Motor Vehicle Systems
Diploma in Vehicle Body Repairs
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT
Diploma in Bricklaying & Plastering
Diploma in Plumbing
COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT
Diploma in Business and Finance Accounting
Diploma in Secretarial Studies
MACHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Diploma in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Diploma in Electrical Installation
WOODWORK DEPARTMENT
Diploma in Carpentry & Joinery
BOTHO UNIVERSITY
BSc in Health Information Management
Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management
BSc in Computing
BSc in Mobile Computing
BSc in Network Computingand Computer Forensics
INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT (IDM)
Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management Diploma in Procurement and Supply
Below is the priority list of programmes of study for those who want to study outside the country:
FIELD OF NATURAL SCIENCES
• Biochemistry
• Marine science
• Human Genetics/ Microbiology
• Geology/ Environmental Geology
• Meteorology, Aviation studies
• Biotechnology
• Metallurgy
• Neuroscience
FIELD OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
• Permaculture, Sericulture
• Forest, wood science and natural resource management
• Wildlife Production and Management
• Genetic Engineers/ Marine biologist
• Veterinary Science
FIELD OF MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES
• Physio/occupational therapy, Chiropractic
• Medical Doctor (MBcHB)
• Nuclear medicine & radiation science
• Clinical health and clinical psychology
• Prosthetics/Orthotics, Podiatry
• Dentistry & Oral hygiene
• Bio-kinetics
• Optometry/ Ophthalmology
FIELD OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
• Mining Engineering, air-conditioning
• Structural engineering
• Automation engineering
• Rigging
• 3-D Printing Technologists
• Sustainable Energy Technology
•Petroleum Engineering
• Refrigeration engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Sciences/Engineering
• Space-based Technologies
• Chemical engineering
FIELD OF ECONOMICS & BUSINESS
• Data Science
• Actuarial Science/ Financial Mathematics/ Business Science
• Business analytics/ Business informatics
- Investment management
• Property studies
- Insurance and Risk Management
FIELD OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
- Cloud Computing
- Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
- Smart Technologies
FIELD OF EDUCATION
- Special Needs Education
- Education Specialist in teaching and learning (online)
- Sports Development and Management
- Vocational Education
- Audiology
- Speech, language and pathology
FIELD OF HUMANITIES, TOURISM & ARTS
- Handicraft computer assisted manufacturing and graphic design
- Sound engineering
FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Energy engineering/Energy Systems engineering
- Strata control
- Natural Resources Conservation and Management
- Energy Distribution and Storage Management
- Renewable energy
- Mine planning, ventilation and surveying
- Earth Science
FIELD OF MANUFACTURING
- Industrial automation, CNC Machinist/ Technologists/ operators
- Plant operators- crane operators, painters, roof tilers,
- Milling/millwright, fitters
- Plant mechanics
An emphasis on research and development and the skills to build resilient, effective, innovative, and solutions-centered research centers in Eswatini is important. Special emphasis is placed on researchers in cross-disciplines: people with exposure
to world-class research centers, systems, and processes, who have developed capacity towards implementation and management of such programs in the kingdom. Expansion of training support beyond traditional tertiary and vocational institutions with thorough vetting to reach a wider base of the underserved and uneducated population.
Economic Focus Areas informing Selections:
- Agriculture: Solving the food security issue is paramount to a civilization’s survival, emergence, and growth. To that end, priority must be given to building sustainable and adequate food production. Israel presents a case study for high productivity in resource-limited settings and a trajectory for becoming an agricultural exporter.
- ICT: This sector presents the single largest growth opportunity for Eswatini for increased productivity, innovation, and job creation. The world is rapidly moving towards smart technologies and building capacity to create relevant and marketable tech is essential. A focus on smart tech, data science, automation, advanced robotics, and the IoT will serve us well. Training in this sector can lead to rapid ROI and absorption of the unemployed into the job market.
- Energy: We must invest in building systems to increase energy generation, efficiency in use and distribution, storage, and research and development. Energy can be a limiter to growth if not addressed.
- Education: The need to spur reform in this sector can not be overstated. Ensuring the right and market-applicable skills and knowledge are being imparted to the right people is of huge importance to preventing a skills gap. Investments in blended learning and novel instructional solutions will yield tremendous dividends.
- Manufacturing & Industry: Value-added goods and services using readily available raw materials and a focus on R&D on unexplored indigenous resources and their potential applications.
- Entrepreneurship & Services: For this sector to function in assembling all these elements to create value, enhance living, and generate productivity, the type of entrepreneurship must be impact-driven and results-based.
