Digital Education can Empower the next generation, shares Chinenye Ezeakor, Microsoft Nigeria EPA

Digital Education can Empower the next generation, shares Chinenye Ezeakor, Microsoft Nigeria EPA

Digital Education can empower the next generation, Chinenye Ezeakor Microsoft Nigeria Education Programs Assistant shares her thoughts on how.  

Digital Education  

Chinenye talks about how digital literacy can be a catalyst for the curious youth in this generation and the next. She says the truth of the matter is we live in a digital world and companies of all sizes have a growing need for technology experts. There’s a huge need to get more African youths, including girls, into STEM subjects, particularly technology and computing. 

When the education system provides students with the skills they need to thrive, they are more likely to stay and help their country prosper, rather than migrating for better educational or economic opportunities. 

As Education Programs Assistant for Microsoft Nigeria, Chinenye Ezeakor and the Education Programs team push for greater digital literacy in Nigeria’s schools through the Microsoft Imagine Academy initiative. She says this kind of support is particularly vital in developing countries. When the education system provides students with the skills they need to thrive, they are more likely to stay and help their country prosper, rather than migrating for better educational or economic opportunities.

Digital Education must be practical 

An electrical and electronic engineering graduate from University of Port Harcourt, Chinenye says to fight the trend, you’ve got to start early to foster interests in STEM.  Children love to get hands-on, whether they are building sandcastles or playing with Lego. So it’s essential that we translate STEM subjects into practical, hands-on experiences. Due to the type of educational system, we don’t really get to experiment with science. When you can’t see the practical application of something in real-life, you’re not going to see the relevance or the possibilities it might hold for you. 

It is essential that we translate STEM subjects into practical experiences. 
When you can’t see the practical application of something in real-life, you’re not going to see the possibilities it holds.

This takes on an added level of urgency when you consider how important digital technologies are becoming to Africa’s prosperity and growth. A few years ago, people in Nigeria were unsure about using e-commerce; now it’s a huge component of our economy. This is partly due to the rapid pace at which mobile technology is evolving in Africa, but it also comes down to digital literacy. 

Read more on Chinenye Ezeakor’s take on Digital Education and how it can cause economic growths. What’s you take on digital literacy and how it can impact our lives. Do join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments. 

Microsoft Nigeria and The Future Project launch Accelerate Labs to assist 2500 Nigerian Youths build Businesses

Microsoft Nigeria and The Future Project launch Accelerate Labs to assist 2500 Nigerian Youths build Businesses

Accelerate Labs will be the womb to carry about 2500 ideas that can be transformed into businesses in Nigeria. Microsoft Nigeria is working with The Future Project to make this dream a reality.

Accelerate Labs

The program by The Future Project and in partnership with Microsoft Nigeria is geared towards equipping the youth. The program dubbed Accelerate the Economy through Youth in Enterprise will select about 2500 Nigerian youths from the country. It will hope to equip participants build socially inclined, high profit and competitive enterprise capable of impacting the GDP.

Accelerate Labs

The selected candidates will be enrolled in a 12 weeks fellowship program. Accelerate Labs will include three streams of 3 weeks taught session, 4 weeks mentoring session, 3 weeks research and practice and a demo day for pitching of business ideas to prospective investors. There will be 6 host hubs from the 6 geo-political zones in 6 states; Lagos, Abuja, Edo, Kaduna, Anambra and Bauchi.

Olusola Amusan Microsoft Nigeria Philanthropic and Citizenship lead said;

Microsoft, through our YouthSpark initiative seek to empower the youth population of Nigeria to imagine and realize their full potential. By connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment, entrepreneurship and helping them create a real impact for a better tomorrow.

To apply and register for Accelerate Labs

Accelerate Labs

So if you have an idea for a socially responsible enterprise that is scalable and capable of impacting the Nigerian economy and GDP. Then register for Accelerate Labs.
Applications are opened from the 7th of August till the 24th of August. Register to confirm your interest in the Accelerate the Economy through Youth in Enterprise program. Get more information about the fellowship program.

UPDATE: The, The Africa Project website is currently down but they promise to have it back soon. So email info@thefutureafrica.com for more information and details.

UPDATE: Site has been restored and registration links are active.

Check out what people are saying via the hashtag #AccelerateLABS on social platform

Microsoft Nigeria hosts Empowering Digital Transformation Summit in Lagos

Microsoft Nigeria hosts Empowering Digital Transformation Summit in Lagos

Microsoft Nigeria held a summit in Lagos to help businesses in Nigeria leverage Microsoft’s technologies in this era of digital Transformation.

digital transformation

The summit was held in Lagos and themed Empowering Digital Transformation. It was to help improve the capabilities of businesses in Nigeria by allowing them take advantage of Microsoft technology platforms in the areas of business intelligence, cloud, mobile, social and productivity.

At Microsoft, we know that the emergence of the digital age is fundamentally changing the priorities and roles of today’s Business executives. We also understand that this evolution is enabling businesses do more, by adopting key technologies in the areas of business intelligence, cloud, mobile, social and productivity.

The Empowering Digital Summit brought other stakeholders to share on the latest innovative technology trends and industry solutions. The Speakers of the event included Karim Ramadan (Microsoft Nigeria General Manger), Beny Rubinstein (Director Solutions Sales, Middle East & Africa), Keynote speaker Uzoma Dozie (CEO, Diamond Bank Plc). There were break out sessions and panel discussions on topics relating to Technology and Digital Transformation in various situations.

Here are highlights from speakers of the summit;

Customers make decisions from what they see online. You don’t do Digital Transformation because it is cool but you have to do it. Engage your customers, transform your products, empower your employees and optimize your operations. – Karim Ramadan

Technology is the only major driver of emerging Economics. What does going digital transformation do for your leadership ? It gives you more control, power, freedom and keeps you in touch. – Uzoma Dozie

Invest to Balance across short term and long term opportunities. Find a new way to do new things, not a new way to do old things. Digital transformation is the conversation to have today. – Beny Rubinstein

Take a look at some images from the Summit;

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Follow the digital Transformation conversation on social media via the hashtag #DigitalTransformationNG

 

Photo Credit @MicrosoftNG & @Penzaarville

Meet the Nigeria Windows Insiders Fellows PT.1

Meet the Nigeria Windows Insiders Fellows PT.1

 

The Microsoft Windows Insider Nigeria Fellowship has 25 fellows who will shortly complete their entrepreneurial mentorship. We want to introduce you to the fellows and what they are working on over a five part series.

nigeria Insiders fellows

The Windows #InsiderForGood Insider Nigeria Fellowship selection process took place in September last year with over 5000 entrants. The selected 25 fellows of the program were brought together, mentored and provided with the necessary help to achieve their on paper dream. The six months training ends in February 2017 and they’ll be expected to showcase a feasible product.

Read all about the Windows Insiders4Good program .

BAMWASE

nigeria insiders fellows

Bamwase is a platform that connects consumers to small and medium scale business and vice-versa. It provides local artisans, laborers and businesses with an online presence in their communities across Nigeria.
Bamwase wants to help increase their sales better than word of mouth by helping them expand into new markets and access new opportunities.
Click and read the full bio on Banwase and  founder Idowu Bamido     

 

eTrash2Cash

nigeria insiders fellows

eTrash2Cash is a platform that leverages on ICT to provide positive environmental and social impacts. The waste management company will provide strong and innovative waste collection and recycling schemes.

Click and read the full bio of eTrash2Cash and it’s founder.

Virtual Farm

nigeria insiders fellows

The Virtual Farm platform is an online digital farm that uses optimized online system for users to buy seed, plant, nurture and ultimately harvest crops online. It also use hydroponics to grow within the city and have them delivered to your door step. The Virtual Farm wants to offer cheaper and more convenient fresh produce than the conventional market.

Check out man behind Virtual Farms and what more they offer

CIMHostel

nigeria insiders fellows

CIMHostel is an online platform that will like to help students easily find hostel accommodations. The platform will take away situations like hefty agent fees, spending time and being stressed out from moving around the neighbourhood looking for a preferable hostel.

Read more about the CIMHostel

Basmalah Enterprisesnigeria insiders fellows

Basmalah Enterprises is a mobile solar innovation that helps farmers with irrigation using a viable solar alternative to petrol-consuming generator.

Get to know more about this solar alternative that’ll save higher costs of farming.

 

 

WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship Launched

WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship Launched

WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship has launched in Lagos, Nigeria. Microsoft’s Windows Insider chief Dona Sarkar launched the program.

WINsiders4Good

Credit : Twitter – @MissTechyNG

After the 1st anniversary of Windows 10, the WINsiders4good initiative was introduced. The WINsiders4Good fellowship fellowship program is a series of global create-a-thons with the aim of helping insiders within a community build something for a local impact.

The WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship is part of our global #WINsiders4Good program designed to help Windows Insiders tackle important issues in their local communities. With the #WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship, we want to build a fellowship of up to 20 Nigerian entrepreneurs to develop products and services that would help improve the lives of Nigerian people.

Who qualifies to be a part of the fellowship?

1st you need to be a legal resident of Nigeria and registered in the Windows Insider Program. You must have an idea that can help solve local issues. It also doesn’t matter if you have already pitched or shared it anywhere else before.

We would like to build a fellowship of 20 Nigerian entrepreneurs to become our first ever, inaugural class of #WINsider4Good Fellows. If chosen, you will receive hardware and software, including Windows 10, Office 365 and Azure credits. Along with 6 months of tailored technical and strategic mentorship from local and international leaders to help bring your unique idea to life.

WINsiders4Good

? credit: Microsoft

Kindly note the following important dates for the program;

Round 1 Application Opens: September 21, 2016
Round 1 Application Closes: October 10, 2016
Round 2 Application Opens: October 17, 2016
Round 2 Application Closes: October 24, 2016
Fellows Announced: November 16, 2016

Wondering how and what IDEA will count for as good consideration for the fellowship?

A panel of Microsoft-selected local and global experts will select both Finalists and up to 20 #WINSiders4Good Fellows based on the following criteria.
Social Impact: Your product or service addresses a common issue affecting a clearly identified segment of the Nigerian population and provides a clear benefit to the customers upon purchase and use of the product or service.
Market Viability: The product or service has a clearly defined market and can be priced as such that it can be viable and sustainable as a business given the local context.
Innovation: The product or service provides a unique approach to the issues faced by the local market through a net new innovation; an improvement on existing solutions; or a combination of multiple solutions for more effective and efficient intervention.
Scalability: The business has the potential to serve customers across the geographic region where the entrepreneur is based, or across all of Nigeria.

Register for the fellowship here.

WINsiders4Good

? credit : Microsoft

What happens if you are selected?

If someone is chosen as a #WINsiders4Good Fellow,Microsoft will;

  1. Connect them with the global community of Windows Insiders.
  2. Prioritize and collaborate to unblock their technical issues that are preventing them from achieving their goal.
  3. Mentor them with technical, strategic and business guidance for six months.
  4. Provide hardware and software to bring their ideas to life.

Excited about the Windows Insiders community program coming closer to you in Nigeria? looking forward to getting your idea come to life and make an impact? Share and tell us about it in the comments.

If you want to re-live the launch event via social media shares, kindly visit here

Source: Microsoft