Al-Qalam 
By Nabeelah Shaikh
With 4IR and Artificial Intelligence taking over the world, it is imperative that Muslim youth aren’t left behind. This was the premise of a recent course organised by the Muslim Youth Movement, in conjunction with the Regent Business School.
Both parties recently held a successful introductory course in Durban to empower youngsters on 4IR, Coding, and Information Technology. The course was held at the Regent Business School’s iLead Lab.
“The course was well received by the students. We had a range of students of different ages and different backgrounds and it was a very diverse group. We had those that were from two different programmes, ‘Ambassadors for Change’ and the ‘Giving Hope’ programmes which have been part of the MYM,” said Regent Business School’s National Manager of the iLead Lab, Yusuf Vawda.
Vawda who was the course developer says a course of this nature was important so that Muslim youth are exposed to such technologies.
“A lot of these technologies are not readily available to the youth, as well as the Muslim community and when we talk about 4IR and coding, it’s not easy for them to gain access to these technologies. If you look at the costs, not everyone has access to these technologies. This is why it was so important. We tried to expose students from various backgrounds to these technologies so that they know these technologies are available and they can get the opportunity to interact with these types of technologies and to upskill themselves,” said Vawda.
He said the course entailed engagements and discussions about the applications of 4IR technology in the South African context as well as detailed discussions about the barriers to entry and some of the challenges we face in Africa as a whole, when it comes to such technology, like access to 4IR technologies and automation robotics.
“We are hoping to use this initial session as a means to build a programme that will roll out over a longer period, focusing on robotics. In especially the Muslim community, it’s unfortunate that we are lagging behind and exposure to this technology isn’t as widespread. That’s unfortunate because a lot of these technologies can be used to harness and empower our students and businesses,” said Vawda.
Vawda said such technologies are changing the way companies function.
“3D printing is being used to build houses, and it’s revolutionizing industries. In a few years, these technologies are going to be much more mainstream. Upskilling Muslim youth with these technologies is so important, so they can use them in their businesses. It’s multi-faceted. At a minimum, we want to give them exposure to it. They can harness the power of these technologies to become far more efficient, using things like using laser cutting to start a small business. It’s important for us to look at implementing these types of training even in schools, so we don’t fall behind,” said Vawda.
Vawda said with the introduction of these technologies, unfortunately, there was an effect on the job market.
“The concern is that it will take away jobs, but the idea of these technologies is to make you more efficient. In the event that you don’t expose yourself to such technology, you run the risk of being left behind and you’ll be in the position where when you are introduced to them, these technologies will replace you if you’re not upskilled on how to work with and use them,” said Vawda.
Vawda told Al-Qalam that the course was one of many to come, and larger sessions are being planned for the future.
MYM’s Asif Essop said the course helped to expose students to new types of employment opportunities, empowered them with skills to start their own businesses, introduced robotics and coding, in the hope that students can specialise in this field of study and helped students to think beyond traditional careers.
The MYM is a 50-year-old organization, which has been pioneering in youth development by organising progressive leadership programmes in a non-racial Ummah.
“The executive felt that it was most imperative to develop a training course that will prepare leaders to participate in a multicultural and pluralistic society, promoting democracy and advocating community causes to improve quality of life and a better future for all,” said Essop
