Let’s think differently and use IoT to solve local problems says Jack Ngaare, MD of Microsoft Africa Development Center, Kenya site. He was sharing insights on Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Internet of Things(IoT) during keynote address at the third East Africa IoT and AI Summit.
Speaking to delegates at the conference he emphasized the need to focus on the problems Africa has and be more deliberate about solving these problems using such emerging technologies.
Let’s think differently and use IoT to solve local[Africa] problems
He asked “What problems do we have? What are the focus areas and what are the simple solutions?
40% of farm produce in Kenya goes to waste, talking about use cases of IoT in the East Africa region. IoT can help solve some of agriculture’s most vexing challenges. By helping farmers connect fields and herds, reduce risks, streamline operations as well as increase yield. IoT technology and data driven agriculture Jack says is one answer to solving the agriculture challenge.
Microsoft research scientists are testing Farmbeats; a data driven solution which help farmers improve their yields and lower costs in Kenya. Microsoft plans to later scale Farmbeats across Africa.
Register to showcase your innovation at the 2020 Imagine Cup EMEA Online Regional Semifinals.
Do you have an idea that solves a problem? Can your idea use Microsoft’s Azure technology in solving the problem? Register to participate in Microsoft’s 2020 Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Imagine Cup online regional semifinals. For a chance to qualify to the EMEA Regional finals in Amsterdam. Where you can win USD 8,000 cash, Azure credits and travel to the world finals in Seattle.
Students at any qualified academic institution aged 16 and above can participate in the cup competition. Teams can be of one to three members.
Imagine Cup is about innovations changing the way we live. It is about solutions and applications that save lives.
The competition provides a platform for student teams across the globe to showcase the technology ideas they create. How those technologies can not only shape their futures, but directly improve the lives of users.
EMEA Online Regional Semifinals
The competition begins with a call to submit unique ideas to the online regional semi-final competition. Submit your EMEA online regional semi-final projects by December 15, 2019. Announcement of finalists will take place on 15th January 2020. They will advance to present their projects 10th March 2020 at the in-person Regional Finals in Amsterdam.
Local country competitions will he held in some countries. Winners from these countries will join the online winners at the 2020 Imagine Cup EMEA regional finals in Amsterdam. For a chance to qualify to the world finals. Last year team iCropal from Kabarak University, Kenya was one of such teams.
Team iCropal Left, present at EMEA regional finals in Amsterdam
2020 World Finals
Winners and runner up teams from EMEA, Asia and Americas Regional Final will meet in Seattle to compete in the Imagine Cup World Championship. For a chance to win USD 100,000 cash. As well as USD 50,000 in Azure grants and a mentoring session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Do you need help to get started? There are lots of resources to get you learning and going.
Do you want to know more about the Microsoft Africa Development Center? About internships, job offers and work culture at Microsoft? What skills do you need to be a software or hardware engineer at Microsoft? Do you have questions like these and many more?
Join Microsoft’s Partner Development Manager, Somet Kipchilat and Breadth and Community Manager, Lawrence Muthoga as they answer more of these. In the first ever Microsoft Tech Community Kenya AMA(Ask Me Anything).
Are you a student and interested in joining the Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) program? Or knowing more about the MSP program? MSP’s from across Africa will answer these during the call.
Want questions asked by the moderator during the AMA? Send them to admin@mstechcommunities.com .
The first virtual session takes place on 30th August 2019 at 1600hrs EAT. via a Skype call. Link to the event Skype call is bit.ly/mtc254ama (use this link to join the call on Friday August 30, 2019 at 4pm EAT, 3pm SAT, 1pm GMT)
Accra .Net user group community invites you to join them for the August meetup. The meeting themed INTRO TO MICROSOFT AZURE, will focus on Microsoft cloud platform Azure.
The invitation reads;
“Come join us as we demystify Microsoft Azure and learn how to develop modern cloud applications. from our seasoned and experienced speakers. Come connect, network, learn and share you love and passion for technology”
The Microsoft Digital Skills Center for Nonprofits seeks to empower organizations do more good with the help of technology tools.
TechSoup is introducing Microsoft Digital Skills Center for Nonprofits in a new collaboration with Microsoft. The digital skills center will have a focus on nonprofits and will exist within the TechSoup course platform. Offering trainings on using Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Power BI and PowerApps.
TechSoup shares that “Strengthening digital literacy, enabling cloud adoption and building technology-forward strategies are critical to nonprofits working on social, environmental and educational issues“.
In February 2109 Microsoft Philanthropies announced a $1 million impact investment to support TechSoup. An initiative Microsoft says is to nearly double the number of nonprofit organizations it serves worldwide. Microsoft believes it will help nonprofits utilize technology to amplify their mission and impact.
“TechSoup has been a critical partner in building a remarkable and robust societal ecosystem that brings the promise of technology to nonprofits serving on the frontlines. Those trying to solve and address the world’s biggest challenges. Microsoft’s investment in and collaborative partnership with TechSoup is building bridges to digital inclusion and empowerment to help the nonprofit sector realize all the benefits of cloud technologies.
Justin Spelhaug, General Manager, Microsoft Philanthropies Tech for Social Impact
Rebecca Masisak, CEO TechSoup, says this partnership empowers nonprofits to create, connect, activate and transform their organizations and communities.
