Unisa alumnus avows to solve societal challenges

Unisa is a university committed to encouraging and supporting staff and students in developing innovations that solve societal challenges. Alumnus Alan Levy remains true to the university's principles.

Alan Levy

A techie philanthropist, Alan Levy embodies Unisa's ethos, which includes striving for excellence, innovation and serving humanity. Levy obtained Bachelor's and Honours degrees at Unisa, Cum Laude, being top two in his class. He describes these as foundations that propelled him to keep aiming higher in his career and serving his community.

Levy was born in Fairmount, Johannesburg. He says his childhood was beautiful and that he feels lucky to have parents that valued and promoted his education. In the 90s, he had the opportunity to work for a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), HOPE, which he says was a privilege to be associated with, adding that during this period, he met Nelson Mandela on a few occasions and Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Levy also worked in the Gauteng legislature and loved every second of being a part of the ministry.

Unisa's Open Distance and eLearning's teaching modality allowed Levy to learn while working. He explains: "I was working at the same time as I was studying at Unisa, which was challenging and rewarding. Unisa was my university of choice due to its stellar academic reputation and rigorous academic standards." He notes that the university provided him with an incredible foundation and is confident it will do the same for anyone willing to put in the effort.

Levy remarks that finishing first in his class at Unisa was the sole reason he received the position with HOPE, which acted as a springboard in his life. He continues, "In a very literal sense, HOPE gave me the start I needed and allowed me to become a 'self-made' entrepreneur." He says he was always interested in business, and his family encouraged his entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, he states that the journey, much like his studies, with Unisa involved many trials and wins. He explains: "It wasn't easy, but it was and continues to be extremely rewarding."

Artificial intelligence that empowers the people

Levy is passionately invested in technologies that are future-driven and powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), which he says is the bedrock of Abraham Lincoln's quote: "The best way to predict the future is to create it." With NewsGPT the aim is to do precisely that, " he remarks.

Levy explains that NewsGPT aims to use AI to gather news from all sources, including mainstream and social media - then provide factual, unbiased information and views written by AI. "Imagine NewsGPT was around during apartheid. Millions of social media posts would have revealed the truth behind what the government was trying to hide," he remarks. "AI gives the power to simultaneously see the world through the eyes of the people and the media. A great example is the war in Ukraine. We get the news from outlets like CNN and FOX, which each have political agendas."

In his Youth Month message, Levy says: "Make your voice heard by joining NewsGPT. It's free and will become part of the movement towards an equitable future."

A remarkable alumnus of the university, Levy shares his felicitations for the university's 150th-anniversary: "Unisa is an institution that has managed to survive and thrive with academic integrity over the past years. A shining example of what makes South Africa great."

Levy is an innovator and remains true to the university's avowed intention to serve people. "The most rewarding thing anyone can ever do is to give back to society." To help the less fortunate, he established Red Bagels Charitable Trust and Karma Babies. The organisations have done several significant projects, including building toilets at an orphanage, planting vegetable gardens, putting a roof on a hospital and giving children Christmas presents. "It's been beyond rewarding, and I pray to be able to do even more in the future," he concludes.

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*By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement