AIPI GRADUATES 3RD BATCH OF STUDENTS FROM ITS UPSKILLING PROGRAM.

Tech UpSkill, an initiative that focuses on building the next generation of global talents, enhancing gender equality, and providing job opportunities, just graduated its 3rd batch. This training program was brought by Access to International Partnerships in IT (AIPI) in partnership with an association consisting of 250 start-up firms, kLab, and FabLab. The program's major goal is to close the skill gap by providing training, experience, and mentorship across Rwanda for the youths that desire to refine their technical skills.

THE 3RD COHORT GRADUATION AND AWARDS CEREMONY

This recently graduated batch included 88 individuals who are either secondary or university students who got certificates following the training program, which lasted for 4 months in software and hardware development. They demonstrated practical skills by working on projects in both aspects. These projects were showcased at the award ceremony, and a panel of professionals was set up to examine the projects that stood out and deserved to be rewarded.

For the Hardware category, the top three winners included a Plastic Recycling 3D Printer - a machine that was produced to recycle waste plastics into filament, a Clean robot made for cleaning smooth surfaces with future plans to be enhanced so it can remove waste in water bodies, and a Charcoal Briquetting machine and briquettes production which produces cooking energy-saving briquettes from public waste.

Meanwhile, in the software category; Eco-learn built to offer front and backend web-based interfaces that educate those in Rwanda about the environment, SP Gaz, a platform to order for gas online, and Farmie that helps connect farmers to markets were the 3 projects that won respectively.

During the training, the students were provided with an area and tools for the course. They also had all the materials and needed resources made available to them to ensure they could grow and make an impact in the tech industry locally and internationally.

The CEO of the Rwanda ICT Chambers, Alex Ntale, presided over the graduation ceremony and stated that the chamber is working with the government to explore all avenues and partnerships to improve youth ICT skills in order to further the nation’s goal of becoming a tech hub.

TECH UPSKILL'S IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

Data from the training program showed that only 22% of the individuals who participated in the 3rd cohort were females. This depicts that women are underrepresented in the tech ecosystem. The program aims to solve this gender gap by equipping women with whatever is needed to grow a tech career. This is not only done to increase gender equality but also ensure Rwanda’s talent pool is maximized to its full potential.

This program played a part in providing solutions to unemployment by creating over 400 job opportunities. Tech UpSkill is passionate about contributing to the economy. An electronic and telecommunication student at IPRC Tumba, Nadine Manishimwe, and a developer from the Plastic Recycling 3D Printer group say that boldness to experiment with practical skills is necessary to support females in STEM and that the training helped her when it came to improving the skills she learned. It also assisted her in creating new business ideas that can be a source of income.

A former student of INES Ruhengeri (Industrial IT), in the briquetting group, Cyriacca Urwibutso stated that in order to increase the number of women in the Technology industry, there is a need to push young girls to trust in themselves and face any fear that prevents them from going into careers dominated by males.

The Tech UpSkill has had an impact on young tech developers, according to Dr. Geraldine Schmitz, the AIPI Project Director, and preparations are in place to seek additional financing to maintain the field of tech advancements.

ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS IN IT (AIPI) AND RWANDA ICT CHAMBERS

Access to International Partnerships in IT (AIPI) is built on an alliance between the ICT Chambers in Rwanda and Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand e. V. (BITMi), an IT firm based in Germany. AIPI was founded to improve the ICT sector in Rwanda and Germany by implementing diverse initiatives that facilitate cooperation and growth in both countries' technology ecosystems.

Rwanda ICT Chambers is an organisation that is focused on assisting its members with the development of skills, advocacy, financing, and access to the market all in the Rwanda ICT sector. The firm plans to make Rwanda the top community influenced by information and community technology (ICT) and be at the forefront of this economic and cultural transformation.

CONCLUSION

The Tech UpSkill training has gotten praise from individuals with influence due to its frequent efforts to ensure opportunities and skills development courses, both technical and entrepreneurial, for the youths. The program has had success, which is displayed by positive impact, achievements, and reviews gotten from those who were beneficiaries of the program.