From left to right: Kopo Masome, Prof. Jean Paul Van Belle (Head of Department - Information Systems), Amaanullah Parker, Jeandre De Klerk, Craig Byren (ViaData MD), Nicole Butcher, Kim Westcott and Prof. Derek Smith (Department of Information Systems)

ViaData is a proudly innovative software development company that is leading the systems development world with its “business systems engine” approach to enterprise software development. It has sponsored the Award for Excellence for 18 years now.

The team that wins the award is recognized by an engraving on the shield, together with a cash prize.

“The project is a really big deal for these students. It not only contributes a large portion of their year mark, but is also vital for them to learn to work together as a team when designing and implementing complex software. This is what they’ll face when they enter the working environment, above and beyond their academic skills,” says Craig Byren, MD of ViaData. “We have always been impressed how the students throw themselves into this project, with some of them putting in over 2,000 hours of effort. The standard is exceptional, and they should be very proud of their achievement.” 

To do well in the project, students have to learn real-world skills that will stand them in good stead for their professional lives: requirements definition, project management and team work, as well as intellectual skills in technical programming and documentation. Finally, there are the people skills they will need: presentation of their solution, and establishing the training requirements.

In previous years, several of the student teams went on to post-graduate studies, with ViaData mentoring their projects, providing support, insights, guidance and sometimes even a place for the project team to work. 

“Some of these post-graduates have won further awards, and participated in international competitions – or even launched a business based on the project work they did at varsity. We find this incredibly rewarding, because the growth and success of our local technology industry is based on this advanced study and hard work,” adds Byren. 

“The award (and getting your name on the shield) is held in high regard, and is something all of the Information Systems students strive to achieve. Competition is fierce and often fractions of a mark separate the first few groups,” says Prof. Derek Smith of the Department of Information Systems.

“When the award is presented we get a chance to say a few words to the students. Normally we talk about issues currently facing the business that they will enter. It’s a tough business, but there is a desperate need for good people with very solid training – without these graduates, our ability to develop innovations that impact on modern business systems, like ViaData’s business systems engine, will not flourish. Congratulations to Nicole Butcher, Jeandre de Klerk, Kopo Masome, Amaanullah Parker and Kim Westcott for their winning project, and all the students that worked so hard for the prize,” concludes Byren.