Grad Gallery: Abduraoaf Sandan

LinkedIn: bit.ly/32slMDk

Current position:

Analyst at Injini (an EdTech incubator)

Academic history:

2020 (Currently) Master of Education specialising in Curriculum Studies at UCT

2019 Bachelor of Education Honours at UCT

2017 Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Stellenbosch University

2017 Bachelor of Science specialising in Human Life Sciences at Stellenbosch University

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How did you obtain your current position?

I was browsing through the UCT Careers Service website following an appointment I had with a consultant to improve my CV, when I came across a vacancy for an intern position at Injini. I applied for the position through the career portal, got the job and worked as an intern for three months after which I was promoted to Analyst.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities as an analyst?

At Injini I am responsible for analysing, interpreting and presenting data related to the incubation programme and ecosystem development projects. In addition to this, I am also involved in developing resources for early-stage EdTech entrepreneurs of which the latest product is an open-source curriculum.

What value do your qualifications add to your work?

My qualifications in the science and social science fields have offered me unique perspectives when it comes to understanding the world. Each of my qualifications feeds directly into my work, one way or another. I draw on the different skills and extensive knowledge I have gained from each to varying degrees. My qualification informs the way that I analyse and interpret the data I work with.

What are the key skills that have contributed to your success so far?

I believe one of the key skills which have contributed to my success so far is my problem-solving skills.

When I am faced with a challenge, I am able to analyse it from varying perspectives and come up with innovative solutions that are best suited to the situation..

What impact has the COVID-19 restrictions had on educational technology?

It is worth noting that my experience is limited to the African context and even within the African context there are significant differences from country to country. In general, the COVID-19 restrictions have placed a spotlight on EdTech and increased the usage of EdTech in some countries. As a result, it has created greater awareness and has highlighted the potential that EdTech has. However, it has also shown some of the challenges that are still faced by EdTech in Africa. As it stands, from my perspective, there has been a lot more attention on EdTech and what can be achieved with it but I think it is still too early to say if there will be any significant shifts going forward.

How do you see education evolving in the near future?

Working in the African EdTech space means I am on the fringe of innovation in education in Africa. Where the idea of what education means is evolving, expanding and no longer limited to the traditional ideas of education in schools and institutions of higher learning. We see EdTech being used as a means to reimagine traditional education, as seen with the introduction of virtual homeschooling and EdTech being used as means to upskill and prepare unemployed youth for the workplace. Even though there are big moves being made in certain areas of EdTech, I don’t see there being a significant change in education provision in most African countries in the near future, unless there are intentional efforts made to change the status quo.

Read up about EdTech in Africa here: bit.ly/3n5l9sT