Hi, I am new to the forum and I thought I'd post some thoughts and see if they resonates with someone

NSX

I am building a new university.

- NSX is a national higher education, top-level capacity development initiative, drawing inspiration from the French Grande École model, but tailored specifically to South Africa's developmental needs and strategic challenges

- It is centered on five tech-foward strategic institutes designed to address the most critical challenges and position the country as a continental leader in innovation, governance, and sustainable development. Accelerating it's goals of becoming an advanced country

About Me

I have been thinking about this for a long time, and I've decided to explore this project further in the upcoming year. I am seeking sponsorship for a year of work.

In that time I plan to develop a comprehensive blueprint for NSX:

• Detailed institutional design for the 5 "National Schools"
• Comprehensive feasibility study
• Initial government and stakeholder engagement
• Preliminary curriculum and faculty frameworks
• Funding and implementation roadmap
• More importantly, seek out the most seasoned and exceptional people who can transform this vision into reality

Biography

• 24 years old
• A 2x tech founder and CEO
• University of Cape Town, Electrical Engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Build complex organizations and systems
  • Navigate strategic partnerships
  • Secure high-level stakeholder buy-in
• Email: nsxcamarilla@proton.me, reach out to talk more

South Africa

Developmental Challenges

• 33,5% unemployment rate (Q2 2024), 45,5% among youth (aged 15-34 years)
• Persistent skills gaps in critical sectors
• Legacy of educational inequality
• Limited technological and innovation output

Theory of Change

By creating world-class, meritocratic, and targeted educational institutions, we can:

• Develop high-caliber human capital
• Create precise interventions in strategic national priority areas
• Generate innovative solutions to complex developmental challenges
• Cultivate entrepreneurship and job creation
• Provide pathways for social mobility
• Strengthen institutional and national capabilities

Five Proposed Schools

1. The National School of Advanced Engineering

• Comprehensive engineering disciplines addressing infrastructure, technology, and industrial innovation.
• Key Programs: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Computer & Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace Engineering, Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, Mining & Mineral Processing Engineering

2. The National School of Public Policy and Governance

• Developing world-class public sector leadership with deep policy expertise.
• Key Programs: Public Administration, Economic Policy, Political Sciences, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Health Policy, Urban and Regional Planning, Diplomatic Studies

3. The National School of Business and Economic Leadership

• Cultivating innovative business leaders with a pan-African economic perspective.
• Key Programs: Business Management, Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Digital Economy & Software Development, Social Enterprise Management, Resource Economics, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Strategy

4. The National School of Agricultural and Environmental Systems

• Creating solutions for food security, environmental sustainability, and agricultural transformation
• Key Programs: Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Management, Food Security Studies, Water Resource Management, Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Agriculture, Biotechnology, Agricultural Economics

5. The National School of Health Sciences and Medical Innovation

• Advancing medical research, healthcare delivery, and pandemic preparedness
• Key Programs: Medicine, Public Health, Medical Research, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Epidemiology, Healthcare Management, Tropical and Infectious Disease Research

Other Details

• The selection process will be rigorous, and merit-based
• Mandatory national service component to allow for faster knowledge transfer
• A monthly salary for accepted students

Comparative Models

Local

• The University of Cape Town and the University of the Witwatersrand
• Consistently ranked as Africa's top universities, huge impact in the local economy
• Both institutions demonstrate the capacity for world-class education in South Africa

Global

• French Grande École system: Proven model of elite, focused national institutions
• Singapore's focused human capital development strategy
• South Korea's targeted skill development approach

Cost

Taking into account campus construction, personnel, scholarships, and more. An early estimate of the cost is $20 million-$80 million, depending on the number of students eligible for the Schools

Possible Funding Methods

1. Grants: From government and private donors
2. VC/Debt: From developmental banks and venture capitalists

Quantitative Goals

• 15-20% increase in high-skilled workforce within 10 years
• 2x-5x increase in businesses, jobs, patents and research publications
• $50 million-$100 million annual economic value from graduates, with 0.5-1% increase in GDP within 10 years

Conclusion

This is more than an educational initiative — it's a comprehensive strategy for:

• National capacity building
• Innovation acceleration
• Positioning South Africa as a continental knowledge leader
• Long-term socio-economic transformation for the continent

South Africa has one of the highest inequality rates in the world, with a Gini coefficient of 0.67 in 2018, I will admit it's unclear what effect such an initiative will have on this, but the proposed schools will directly improve lives by:

1. Building critical infrastructure like Eskom (energy) – The National School of Advanced Engineering
2. Effectively designing public policy interventions that address inequality – The National School of Public Policy and Governance
3. Stimulate entrepreneurship and create jobs – The National School of Business and Economic Leadership
4. Increasing food security – The National School of Agricultural and Environmental Systems
5. Developing low-cost medical technologies and training more healthcare professionals – The National School of Health Sciences and Medical Innovation

ADDENDUM: South Africa's Strategic Significance to African Development

A strong South Africa, is a strong Africa

1. Key gateway for international investment in Africa
2. Primary diplomatic bridge between Africa and global economic powers
3. Critical tech ecosystem supporting pan-African digital transformation (see: MTN, MultiChoice)
4. Primary diplomatic bridge between Africa and global economic powers
5. Leadership role in African Union and continental economic integration
6. Primary driver of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
7. Major investor in pan-African infrastructure projects
8. Exports high-skilled professionals across African continent
9. Provides advanced training and educational resources
10. Supports institutional capacity building in other African nations

Multiplicative Effect

When South Africa strengthens its capabilities, it:

• Creates economic opportunities for other African nations
• Develops transferable technologies and solutions
• Provides leadership in continental economic and political integration
• Demonstrates viable development models for other emerging economies

Conclusion: South Africa's strength is not isolated but fundamentally interconnected with continental progress. By developing its human capital and institutional capabilities, South Africa acts as a catalyst for broader African development and transformation.

contact: nsxcamarilla@proton.me , feel free to reach out!