Meet the Future: Games Global’s Bursary Programme Students

31 March, 2025 - Games Global’s Bursary Programme has been developed from a passion and commitment to empower the youth of South Africa, by providing better opportunities to exceptional talent.

The programme covers university tuition fees and study-related costs for university students currently attending university and also offers the opportunity to spend a portion of vacation at Games Global to gain work experience.

The Games Global Bursary Programme offers students an exciting gateway into the dynamic world of iGaming development. We are proud to introduce the exceptional students in our Bursary Programme.

Louis Wilkinson

Q: What are your majors?

A: I’m currently in my fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Data Science (BDatSci) at Stellenbosch University. My focal area is Analytics and Optimisation, which combine data science, machine learning, computer science, operations research, and mathematical statistics.

Q: Which career path are you hoping to pursue after graduation?

A: I’m an aspiring Data Scientist and Machine Learning Engineer, with a particular interest in generative AI. I’m excited about the potential of AI to solve complex problems and create innovative solutions.

Q: How was your vacation work experience, and what did you learn during the process?

A: My vacation work experience has been fantastic—I’ve completed 10 weeks in total so far. During this time, I worked on projects involving reinforcement learning, predictive algorithms, recommender systems, and SQL pipelines, while also gaining hands-on experience with AWS cloud computing. Being part of their new AI team was very exciting. It was incredibly rewarding to see how the concepts I’ve learned at university are directly applicable in the business world. I also made great connections and learned a lot about teamwork in a professional environment.

Q: How has being part of the Games Global Bursary Programme been for you?

A: Being part of the bursary programme has been a wonderful experience. A highlight for me was the opportunity to do vacation work, which allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a real-world setting. It’s been incredibly motivating and fulfilling.

Q: In what ways has the Bursary Programme impacted your studies and future career?

A: The bursary has definitely eased the financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies. While I was always set on pursuing data science, the programme has provided additional motivation to work hard and excel at university. Knowing that I have the bursary commitment and the opportunity to work at Games Global after graduation has been a great source of encouragement.

Mahir Syed

Q: What are your majors?

A: I am a final year student at UKZN studying a BSC in Computer Science and Information Technology with my major being Computer Science.

Q: Which career path are you hoping to pursue after graduation?

A: I have my sights set on becoming a Full Stack Software Developer.

Q: How was your vacation work experience at Games Global, and what did you learn during the process?

A: My vac work experience was remarkable. Working with Games Global's Game Tech Portal and learning about how big of an impact it has on the company's operations is eye-opening. I had no prior experience working with tools like Typescript, Cypress, or Game Tech Git. Thankfully, I had the support of my mentors on the Integrations team to help bridge my gaps of knowledge and guide me along to completing tasks. Coming from an academic environment, it was apparent to me that everyone who is not me, is considered competition.

This idea changed when I began my vac work and began to see the collaborative nature and team dynamics that exist. I previously had considered that front-end development was not for me (this was from knowledge only concerning HTML and CSS). Once I was introduced to typescript, I saw that the frontend has complexity behind it and is not just simply pretty pictures and colors. It made me more open to the idea of working on the front-end.

Q: How has being part of the Games Global Bursary Programme been for you? And in what ways has the Bursary Programme impacted your studies and future career?

A: I am thankful for the transparent and open communication from Games Global. All of my questions were well satisfied, and I am proud to announce that I am the recipient of a Games Global bursary, a leading company in the iGaming industry. Being a part of the Bursary Programme has helped me align my future goals with my current situation. It has enabled me to concentrate on my studies without worrying about the financial implications of said studies. This bursary has given my career an invaluable head start, and a purposeful direction into what it means to actually be a software developer.

Siyabonga Madondo

Q: What are your majors?

A: I am studying for a BSc in Computer Science and Statistics at UCT.

Q: Which career path are you hoping to pursue after graduation?

A: I am hoping for a role in Software Development and Data Science after graduation. Since I enjoy working with data and creating software, I hope to find a role which combines both.

Q: How has being part of the Games Global Bursary Programme been for you?

A: Games Global has been welcoming and understanding since I joined the Bursary Programme. I am happy with the Bursary Programme so far.

Q: In what ways has the Bursary Programme impacted your studies and future career?

A: The Games Global bursary has enabled me to complete my studies and provides me with guaranteed employment after graduation, which I didn't think would be possible given the current job market. This has impacted my studies by allowing me to focus on my academics and strive to be the best version of myself!

Priyasha Naidoo

Q: What are your majors?

A: Data Science and Statistics & Computer Science

Q: Which career path are you hoping to pursue after graduation?

A: Data Science

Q: How was your vacation work experience, and what did you learn during the process?

A: My vacation work experience was incredibly insightful and hands-on. I had the opportunity to explore different roles, including data science and mathematics, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of various career paths and discover what I truly enjoy. Additionally, I got to work alongside experienced professionals that were not only highly knowledgeable but also always willing to help. They created a supportive environment that encouraged collaboration and upskilling.

Q: How has being part of the Games Global Bursary Programme been for you?

A: The Games Global Bursary Programme has provided both financial support for my studies and invaluable industry experience. It has offered continuous assistance and guidance throughout my university journey, ensuring I receive the best possible education and fully benefit from the opportunities available.

Q: In what ways has the Bursary Programme impacted your studies and future career?

A: The Bursary Programme has allowed me to pursue a degree I am passionate about at a leading university. Through vacation work, I gained real-world experience and valuable insights from those more experienced around me, helping me choose the right courses and specialisation for my studies. It was a great introduction to the working world, and the skills I developed will support a seamless transition into my future career.

Keep your eyes on our social media platforms on 2 April 2025, to learn how and where to apply for the Games Global Bursary Programme.