Naspers announced today that it has invested R45 million in The Student Hub, a local online learning platform.
The Student Hub increases access to vocational education to students whilst reducing the costs of delivery of education and training.
The Student Hub Delivers Courses Online
The company helps overcome the constraints of limited physical infrastructure and related resources. It partners with government accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to help them deliver their courses online.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Naspers given their deep international experience in the EdTech sector,” Hertzy Kabeya, Founder and CEO, The Student Hub, said.
“We are a technology company that believes that improving access to education to millions of students across South Africa is at the core of what we do. Linking graduates with the right economic opportunities that relates to their skills are what the economy needs right now.”
The online platform also connects graduates with work opportunities.
The Student Hub digitises TVET course content to present curricula in a personalised and learner-centric environment through a 100% online distance learning model. The company also offers a blended learning model to students who attend classes in person at TVET campuses nationwide.
Furthermore, the platform provides tools for lecturers and tutors to track individual student performance. It also enables heads of faculties to measure the productivity and performance of lecturers in real-time, resulting in a marked increase in pass rates.
Naspers Shows Commitment to South Africa
The Student Hub’s crowdfunding tools assist students in financing their studies. It enables donors to follow the progress of their beneficiaries, while an integrated skills marketplace matches graduates to entry-level job placements.
“We believe tech companies have the potential to be the cornerstone of South Africa’s economic growth and we want to play a role in unlocking that potential,” Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO of Naspers said.
“Our investment in The Student Hub is an example of how digitalisation has the potential to address unequal access to education, create local opportunities, and enable increased participation towards a more inclusive economy.”
Naspers Local Investments
In 2019, Naspers Foundry invested R30 million in online home cleaning services business, SweepSouth and R100 million in May this year, in AgriTech business Aerobotics, a subscription-based artificial intelligence company. In September, it invested in Food Supply Network, a B2B online marketplace that integrates food ordering systems across the food services industry.
Of the total R4.6 billion that Naspers committed to invest at the inaugural South Africa Investment Conference, which includes the R1.4 billion for Naspers Foundry, the group has so far invested R1.9 billion of its original pledge in its existing South Africa businesses Takealot, Mr D Food, Superbalist, Media24 and OLX.
