Rhodes University Free Online Courses and Digital Skills Training Opportunities

Rhodes University is providing opportunities for people to develop valuable digital, computer, innovation and entrepreneurship-related skills through its Community Engagement and Social Innovation programmes.

The university’s Digital Capacity initiative focuses on helping people build the confidence and practical skills needed to use computers and digital technologies for employment, business, education, storytelling and community development.

For South Africans looking to improve their digital literacy or acquire practical technology skills, these programmes can provide a useful opportunity to learn new tools and strengthen their personal and professional capabilities.

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What Are the Rhodes University Digital Skills Opportunities?

Rhodes University explains that its digital and innovation skills programmes are designed around real-world needs, particularly within the Makhanda community and its enterprise and community-development ecosystem. The training ranges from basic computer literacy to professional digital skills and social innovation.

The university's programmes include:

• Computer Skills Training
• Digital Skills for Professionals
• Community Assets for Social Innovation
• Digital Professional Skills or Computer Skills Train the Trainer
• Digital Marketing
• Digital Storytelling and related training opportunities

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1. Computer Skills Training

Rhodes University's Computer Skills Training programme is aimed at people who have little or no previous experience using computers.

The course introduces participants to fundamental computer skills, including:

• Using a mouse
• Using a keyboard
• Navigating Windows 10 and Windows 11
• File management
• Accessing the internet
• Using email
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office

The programme consists of 1-hour-30-minute sessions twice a week and requires a minimum commitment of three hours per week.

The target audience includes youth, unemployed residents, business owners, NGO practitioners and other people in Makhanda who are not yet comfortable using computers.

Important: Is This Course Completely Free?

Although the programme is promoted as part of Rhodes University's capacity-building activities, the current official page states that participation requires a R1,500 deposit, which is refundable when a participant attends at least 80% of the sessions. Applicants should therefore check the latest terms before registering rather than assuming that there is no upfront payment.

2. Digital Skills for Professionals

For people who already know how to use a computer but want to improve their workplace technology skills, Rhodes University offers Digital Skills for Professionals.

The course covers topics such as:

• Troubleshooting
• Hardware and software
• Google Workspace
• Microsoft Teams
• Project management tools
• Digital design
• Privacy and security
• Generative AI

The current programme information describes 1-hour-30-minute sessions once a week. It is aimed at people in Makhanda, including youth, residents, business owners and NGO practitioners who already have basic computer skills.

These skills can be particularly useful for people who want to improve productivity and become more confident using digital tools in the workplace.

3. Community Assets for Social Innovation

Another opportunity is the Community Assets for Social Innovation (CASI) course.

This programme is designed for people interested in using their skills, creativity and community resources to develop projects that address social and economic challenges.

The course covers areas such as:

• Personal development
• Design thinking
• Asset-based development
• Organisational planning
• Digital workspaces
• Project development
• Business-related administration

Rhodes University says the programme is suitable for small-business owners, social innovators, changemakers, youth, unemployed residents and others interested in developing community-oriented projects.

The university's current Social Innovation page describes the course as a practical programme in which participants work on real projects or organisational plans.

4. Digital Marketing Training

Digital marketing is another important skills-development area offered through the programme.

The Digital Marketing course is designed to introduce participants to online marketing concepts and practical tools. Topics include:

• Marketing strategies
• Content strategies
• Email marketing
• SEO and Google
• Cinematography
• Design
• Social media
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Analytics and insights

The current information describes two-hour weekly sessions over three months. The programme information identifies trainers, small businesses, NPOs, sports clubs and societies among its target groups.

These skills can be useful for entrepreneurs and organisations that want to promote products, services or community initiatives online.

5. Digital Storytelling Courses

Rhodes University has also developed Digital Storytelling courses through its Community Engagement programmes.

Digital storytelling combines technology with storytelling to help people communicate experiences, community initiatives and social-impact projects.

The university describes Digital Storytelling for Social Innovation as a course that develops personal and professional skills while using digital storytelling to promote community cohesion and social innovation.

Rhodes University has also previously offered an online version of its digital storytelling course. The online programme used open-access and data-free technologies and included activities such as developing stories, receiving collaborative feedback and participating in online story circles.

6. Train-the-Trainer Opportunities

Rhodes University also provides training for people who want to teach digital skills to others.

The Digital Professional Skills OR Computer Skills Train the Trainer programme combines theoretical and practical components. Participants learn about community-engaged learning, tutoring, lesson planning, assessment and curriculum design.

The programme is aimed at trainers working with groups such as small businesses, NPOs, sports clubs and societies.

Who Can Benefit?

The Rhodes University digital capacity-building programmes can be useful for a wide range of people, including:

• Young people
• Unemployed residents
• Entrepreneurs
• Small-business owners
• NGO practitioners
• Community organisations
• Social innovators
• Digital beginners
• Professionals who want to improve their technology skills
• Trainers and facilitators

However, eligibility, location and costs differ between programmes. The current Digital Capacity page particularly focuses on people based in Makhanda for several of these programmes.

Skills That Can Improve Your Career Prospects

Digital literacy has become increasingly important in education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Rhodes University notes that knowing how to use computers and information technologies can help people access opportunities in areas such as employment, business, education and storytelling.

Learning skills such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, digital marketing, project management tools, generative AI and online communication can therefore help participants become more confident in modern work environments.

Rhodes University Social Innovation Hub

Many of these opportunities are connected to the Rhodes University Social Innovation Hub, which brings together university and community partners to collaborate, learn and develop solutions.

The Hub provides access to computers, digital tools and internet connectivity and supports people in developing projects and using technology effectively. It also operates a workspace where training programmes take place.

The Social Innovation Hub's digital-access programme also includes mobile computer labs and mini labs intended to help expand access to digital tools across Makhanda.

How to Apply or Find Current Opportunities

People interested in Rhodes University's digital skills and training opportunities should visit the official Digital Capacity page for the latest information about available programmes, eligibility, schedules and registration instructions.

Official Rhodes University Digital Capacity page:
Rhodes University – Digital Capacity and Skills Training

The university also provides an overview of its Community Engagement short courses, including computer skills, digital skills for professionals, digital storytelling and social innovation programmes.

Rhodes University Community Engagement Short Courses:
View Rhodes University Short Courses

Important Notice for Applicants

It is important to check the latest information directly with Rhodes University before applying.

While these programmes are promoted as skills-development and capacity-building opportunities, they are not all necessarily completely free. For example, the current Computer Skills Training page specifies a refundable R1,500 deposit subject to attendance requirements.

Course dates, application procedures, eligibility requirements and costs can also change.

The Rhodes University Digital Capacity programme provides valuable opportunities for people to develop practical digital and innovation skills. From basic computer literacy and professional digital tools to digital marketing, social innovation and digital storytelling, the programmes are designed to help participants use technology more effectively in their everyday lives, businesses and community projects.

For anyone looking to develop digital skills, improve workplace productivity, support a community project or build entrepreneurial capabilities, Rhodes University's Social Innovation and Community Engagement programmes are worth exploring.

Check the official Rhodes University website regularly for the latest training opportunities and registration information.

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