Abstract:

In recent time, graduates face a world transformed by technology, in which the Internet, cloud computing, and social media create different opportunities and challenges for formal education systems. These technologies are driven by artificial intelligence which is capable of transforming the workplace and the society. Hence, the societal changes for the Fourth Industrial Revolution requires higher education to develop greater capacity for ethical and intercultural understanding, placing importance on education that can help citizens to respond positively to the societal disruption caused by the emergence of the Fourth Industrial technologies. This paper therefore explores the role and readiness of South Africa’s Higher Education Institutions in the development of necessary skills vital for young people to remain relevant in an increasingly automated world. The paper concludes that Higher Institution of learning should create an environment that allows the community to pursue lifelong learning and gain the necessary skills and competencies with special consideration to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in order to survive and contribute to a progressive society across different industrial revolutions. It was therefore recommended that in order to take advantage of what the industrial revolution brings, Higher Institution of learning must double their efforts in educating students by improving training in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics since this subjects have the prospect needed to tackle the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Keywords:

Development, Education, Institution, Revolution, Skills, Transforming, Technology.