Microsoft Build is one of the most anticipated events of the year for developers who use Microsoft technologies and platforms. This year, Microsoft Build 2023 will take place from May 10 to May 12 and will be a hybrid event that combines online and in-person sessions. Build 2023 will offer a variety of sessions, workshops, keynotes, and networking opportunities for developers of all levels and backgrounds.
In this blog post, I will highlight some of the main themes and features that attendees can expect from Microsoft Build 2023, and how they can make the most of their experience at the event.
Microsoft Build 2023 Themes and Features
Build 2023 will focus on four main themes: cloud, AI, mixed reality, and collaboration. These themes reflect the current trends and challenges in the software industry, and how Microsoft is empowering developers to create innovative solutions for them.
Cloud
Microsoft Azure is the leading cloud platform for developers, offering a range of services and tools to build, deploy, and manage applications across multiple environments. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will learn about the latest updates and enhancements to Azure, such as Azure Arc, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Functions, and more. They will also get to see how Azure integrates with other Microsoft products and platforms, such as GitHub, Visual Studio, Power Platform, and Windows.
AI
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry and domain with its capabilities to analyze data, generate insights, and automate tasks. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will discover how they can leverage Microsoft’s AI offerings to build intelligent applications that can see, hear, speak, understand, and interact with users and the world. They will also get to explore how AI can be applied to various scenarios and domains, such as conversational AI, computer vision, natural language processing, machine learning, cognitive services, and more.
Mixed reality
Mixed reality is the blending of physical and digital worlds to create immersive experiences that enhance human capabilities. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will get to experience how Microsoft is leading the way in mixed reality with its devices and platforms, such as HoloLens 2, Windows Mixed Reality, Azure Spatial Anchors, Azure Remote Rendering, and more. They will also get to learn how they can use mixed reality to create applications that can augment reality, simulate environments, train workers, entertain users, and more.
Collaboration
Collaboration is essential for developers to work effectively and efficiently with their teams and stakeholders. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will see how Microsoft is enabling collaboration among developers with its tools and platforms, such as Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Yammer, Stream, and more. They will also get to learn how they can use collaboration tools to communicate better, share information faster, manage projects easier, and co-create solutions smarter.
Other highlights at Build 2023
Keynote speeches from Microsoft leaders and visionaries.
Microsoft Build 2023 will feature keynote speeches from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott, Corporate Vice President of Developer Division Amanda Silver, and other prominent Microsoft executives and experts. They will share their insights and perspectives on the latest trends and innovations in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mixed reality, quantum computing, and more. They will also showcase how Microsoft is empowering developers to create solutions that address the challenges and opportunities of the digital era.
Breakout sessions and workshops on various topics and technologies.
Build 2023 will offer a wide range of breakout sessions and workshops that cover various topics and technologies relevant to developers. Attendees can choose from sessions and workshops on Azure, .NET, Visual Studio, GitHub, Power Platform, Windows, Microsoft 365, Teams, Edge, Dynamics 365, and more. They can also learn from experts and peers on best practices, tips and tricks, case studies, and demos. Whether they are beginners or advanced developers, attendees can find sessions and workshops that suit their interests and skill levels.
Networking and community opportunities with other developers.
Build will provide ample opportunities for attendees to network and connect with other developers from around the world. Attendees can join online chats and Q&A sessions with speakers and moderators, participate in live polls and surveys, share their feedback and ideas, and join virtual meetups and social events. They can also interact with other attendees who share similar interests or backgrounds through the Microsoft Build Community Zone. Additionally, attendees can visit the Microsoft Build Expo Hall to explore the latest products and services from Microsoft and its partners.
Exclusive access to new announcements and resources from Microsoft.
Microsoft Build 2023 will be the platform for Microsoft to announce new products, features, updates, and initiatives that will shape the future of development. Attendees will be among the first to hear about these announcements and get exclusive access to new resources such as documentation, samples, tutorials, guides, videos, podcasts, blogs, and more. They will also be able to try out new tools and technologies through hands-on labs and challenges.
Tips on how to make the most of your experience
Plan ahead: Before the event starts, check out the agenda and register for the sessions and workshops that interest you. You can also download the Microsoft Build app to access your personalized schedule, get reminders, and stay updated on any changes or announcements.
Engage actively: During the event, participate in the live Q&A sessions, ask questions, and share your feedback with the speakers and moderators. You can also join online communities and social media channels to connect with other attendees, exchange ideas, and expand your network.
Explore broadly: After the event, watch the on-demand sessions and keynotes that you missed or want to revisit. You can also browse the resources and samples that are available on the Microsoft Build website, GitHub, and Docs. to deepen your knowledge and skills on the topics that interest you.
Have fun: Last but not least, enjoy yourself at Microsoft Build 2023. You can also take part in the challenges, games, and contests that are organized throughout the event, and win prizes, swag, and recognition.
Microsoft Build 2023 is a must-attend event for developers who want to learn more about Microsoft technologies and platforms, network with other developers, and get inspired by the possibilities of development. To register for Microsoft Build 2023, visit https://build.microsoft.com/.
Kenya’s student team TAWI has qualified for the 2023 Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championship set to take place in May. The team emerged winners in the education category of the 2023 Imagine Cup world finals qualifying round. Beating 15 other teams to become the top-scoring team and 2023 Europe Middle East and Africa(EMEA) champions. They won USD5,000 in prizes.
Team TAWI also qualified from 48 competing global teams to be selected among the top 3 that will compete in the 2023 Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championship. Where they will compete for the Imagine Cup trophy, the grand prize of USD100,000 to develop their project, and a mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.
Team TAWI consists of Muna Said Nomy, John Onsongo Mabeya, Syntiche Musawu, Applied Computer Technology, and Zakariya Hussein, Data Science and Analytics undergraduate students of the United States International University (USIU) – Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Their innovative solution TAWI looks to make a difference in the lives of those who struggle with auditory processing.
The home-based software leverages real-time speech recognition technology to help children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) communicate more effectively. Instead of traditional hearing aids, TAWI uses earphones to amplify speech and cancel out background noise, making it easier for children with APD to engage in conversations and interact with others. It includes noise cancellation, sound amplification, speech-to-text conversion, and auditory training exercises.
The team will present TAWI at Microsoft Build 2023 where the Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championship takes place. They will compete against the winning teams from the Americas and Asia regions. Eupnea from the United States and CS-M Tool from Thailand, both from the Health category.
Student teams, Smart Farmer and iBoost from Kenya also emerged as EMEA winners in the Earth and Lifestyle categories respectively.
Hongera to these incredible young developers and all the best to Team TAWI in the championship!🎉
University students from across Kenya and some parts of Africa can now apply to participate in season 4 of the Microsoft Africa Development Centre’s (ADC) Game of Learners (GOL) student hackathon competition. The GOL initiative provides an opportunity for African university students, aspiring software engineers, and solution builders to improve their technical and coding abilities while creating solutions to current challenges facing the continent and the world.
GoL student hackathon Season 4
In this year’s student hackathon competition, participants will be working to develop possible technology solutions that can address different health challenges, including how to improve healthcare service provision in their localities or other parts of the world. The program runs as a 5-week hackathon with teams captained by Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors crafting the innovations while receiving technical training from Microsoft’s professionals.
“Since we launched Game of Learners four years ago, we have seen incredible development in the learner’ skills through each season as they create incredibly clever solutions to some of Africa’s pressing problems using Microsoft technology,” said Ruth Ferland, Senior Program Manager at ADC, and the founder of the Game of Learners Program. “This year’s theme will allow the participants to plug into an area that has enormous potential to impact lives across the continent and indeed around the world.”
The students will benefit from the instruction of 32 coaches and more than 20 advisors who will guide them through the process of learning new technologies and building their solutions. The coaches, mentors, judges, speakers, and trainers will consist of volunteers from Microsoft and partners, who for season 4 will include PSI and AMREF Health Africa.
Winning teams
At the end of the season, the winning team will be eligible for awards, including collaboration with GOL Season 4 partners to advance their solution and entry into the Microsoft Imagine Cup, where they will present their innovation on a global stage.
“This partnership with Microsoft is part of a larger initiative to increase the talent pool of individuals working in Digital Health across Africa”, said Martin Dale, Population Services International’s (PSI) Global Director of Digital Health. “There is so much talent graduating from our universities and Game of Learners is a great opportunity for students to dig in and create solutions that make health care more accessible to all.”, he continued.
Speaking about the initiative, Samuel Weru, AMREF Health Africa Group ICT Director, challenged students to apply for the program and be part of the drive towards creating home-grown solutions for Africa’s challenges.
“As a continent that has historically had serious healthcare challenges, we need the kind of ideas that can only come from the youth to revitalize healthcare service provision. There are myriad opportunities ranging from health informatics and telemedicine to big data analysis and system security for the learners to explore. We are eager to work with the teams to create solutions that have the potential to change Africa and the world,” said Weru.
GoL Season 4
In total, Season 4 will have 16 teams, each made up of 4 learners, 2 men and 2 women, drawn from all over the continent. The virtual student hackathon competition is open to students of accredited universities and colleges in sub-Saharan Africa, who will be vetted as per the requirements after submitting an online application.
“The program is designed to provide a fun, hands-on learning experience while creating a virtual environment that transcends borders to allow young minds to collaborate and drive the advancement of Africa into a global innovation hub. Having gender-balanced teams further ties into our mission of promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry,” explains Ferland.
Like a sports league, each 5-week season of Game of Learners follows up with a month-long season of GOL Clinic and GOL exhibitions to accord individuals seeking deeper hands-on technical experience and specialized training from Microsoft and GOL partners.
React is a popular JavaScript library for creating user interfaces; in fact, it has become one of the most widely used frameworks for web development. The demand for React developers is increasing, and so have React JS developer salary expectations.
In this article, we will explore the average React developer salary and the factors that can affect that number, such as industry and country.
React JS Developer Salary By Industry
React JS salary expectations can vary dramatically per industry. Some popular industries include:
Software Development: The software development industry is one of the largest employers of React developers, and salaries in this industry can vary widely depending on the company, location, and job role. The average React engineer salary for someone working in software development is around $80,000 and $140,000 per year, with senior developers earning even higher salaries.
E-commerce: React developers working in the e-commerce industry can expect to earn similar salaries to those working in software development, with an average React salary range of $80,000 to $140,000 per year.
Financial Services: React developers working in the financial services industry can expect to earn slightly higher salaries compared to those in software development and e-commerce. The average React programmer’s salary is around $90,000 to $150,000 per year.
Healthcare: React developers working in the healthcare industry can expect to earn similar salaries to those in software development and e-commerce, with an average salary range of $75,000 to $130,000 per year.
It’s critical to note that you need to consider the education, location, and experience of a developer before determining what the rate should be.
The Average React JS Salary by Country
Developer salaries will fluctuate based on their location. The United States is one of the most significant employers of React developers, and salaries in this country can vary widely depending on the state and city. On average, React developers in the United States and in neighboring Canada can expect to earn between $80,000 and $150,000 per year. The exact salary will depend on the city and job role.
React developers in the United Kingdom can expect to earn slightly lower salaries compared to those in the United States and Canada, with an average salary range of $60,000 to $120,000 per year.
Developers in China, India, and Eastern Europe with the same skills as these developers can earn around $20,000 to $40,000 per year for the same work, mainly due to the local economy and favorable exchange rates. These countries often offer tax benefits to tech employers who want to set up development hubs in their country, which means businesses can afford to pay a little more.
Factors that Affect React Developer Salary
We’ve already mentioned that there are factors that will affect the average rate your developer should be paid.
Experience is one of the biggest factors that affect the salary of a React developer. The more experience a developer has, the higher their salary is likely to be because they are able to take on more complex projects and will likely have project and team management experience.
Location is another important factor that affects the salary of a React developer. Developers in cities with a high cost of living, such as San Francisco, London, or New York, can expect to earn higher salaries than those in smaller cities. (This is starting to change as more workers work remotely).
The size of the company will also affect the salary of a React developer. Large companies with a high revenue typically offer higher salaries compared to small startups, while small startups may offer equity or other perks to attract candidates.
Having additional skills and certifications, such as experience with other frameworks or certifications in React, can also increase a React developer’s salary. Most developers don’t strictly require a degree, but that will always push up their rates.
Finally, it’s also essential to consider the skills gap and demand for workers.
If the demand for React developers is high, salaries are likely to be higher. Conversely, if the demand for React developers is low, salaries are likely to be lower.
Conclusion
The average React JS developer’s salary may vary based on a number of factors, but companies can always find developers with more affordable rates by offshoring their work to other countries.
Microsoft’s engineering arm, the Africa Development Centre is announcing a collaboration with Kenyan technology universities to review their curriculums and make them more relevant to industry needs as the centre ramps up its digital skilling efforts in the country.
As part of the program, Microsoft ADC has partnered with the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to review its Computer Science degree program. The curriculum review program will also be extended to other universities in Kenya that have expressed interest, and across Africa.
The initiative is part of the ADC’s larger agenda to contribute to the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa. Which aims to harness digital technologies and innovation to transform African societies and economies by 2030. The initiative also aims to address identified skill gaps in software engineering students during technical interviews, particularly in software engineering fundamentals. It also fits into the Kenyan government’s Digital Superhighway plan, which aims to put the country on the path to becoming the world’s digital workforce.
“The ADC is running multiple initiatives to improve the tech talent pipeline starting from primary school all the way to working to improve the skills of practicing professionals. As part of the skilling drive, the ADC is looking to improve tech-based curricula within local institutions of higher learning so as to reduce the skills gap between classrooms and the workplace,” says Irene Githinji, the ADC’s Student & Education Engagement Program Manager.
Microsoft says, while players in the technology sector are constantly on the lookout for new talent, they are frequently unable to hire directly from universities because students are mostly armed with theoretical knowledge at the expense of much-needed application skills in software engineering fundamentals. Also noting, a need has been identified to transition from paper examination to online assessment, as most students have never sat for coding exams via online assessment, as evidenced when they sit for the ADC’s coding interviews.
“Students pursuing STEM-related courses will benefit from the new curriculum because they will have access to updated resources, courses, and assessments. Additionally, updated curriculums with industry input will help students gain hands-on tech skills that will be useful throughout their tech careers,” adds Githinji.
Dr. Michael Kimwele, Director, School of Computing and Information Technology at JKUAT notes that the curriculum review partnership is not a first for Microsoft and JKUAT.
“Our collaboration with Microsoft has, over the years, helped to develop potential career pathways for students and enabled the institution to access more teaching resources. We have received industry feedback and guidance on our curriculum which has helped us to improve our teaching methods and content. The collaboration has also exposed our students to real-time industry jobs. For example, many students involved in incubator projects are often offered a role within the company after their graduation since they have had time to adjust to the company culture,” says Dr. Kimwele.
The Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa aims to provide a massive online e-skills development program to 100 million Africans per year by 2021, and 300 million per year by 2025, to provide basic knowledge and skills in digital security and privacy. The initiative is led and owned by African institutions and is intended to be embedded in African realities while unleashing the African spirit of enterprise and creativity to generate homegrown digital content and solutions while embracing what is good and relevant.
“We are also working closely with the government and the private sector to expand access to digital skills training across Africa, and some of our initiatives are already reaching out to schools to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. The initiatives range from coding classes for young children and teaching basic computer skills to underprivileged individuals to highly technical learning opportunities such as the Game Of Learners hackathon, which helps university students fine-tune their skills by building real-world solutions under the supervision of industry professionals,” Githinji explained.
Githinji also emphasized the need to refine the quality of technology education in universities in order to better prepare students for a digitally enabled future.
As part of plans to showcase the talent pool in Africa, Microsoft through its University Recruiting program and Africans at Microsoft is hiring final-year students and recent university graduates from across Africa into full-time engineering roles at Microsoft. The Microsoft African University Recruitment Program for recent graduate engineers will provide successful candidates with relocation to the USA and Canada.
Interested persons who will like to apply should have recently graduated from the university or will be graduating by 2023. Here are the qualifications you will need to meet.
Open to relocating to USA or Canada
Pursuing or recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related field.
One year of programming experience in an object-oriented language (C, C#, C++, Java, Python).
Ability to demonstrate an understanding of computer science fundamentals, including data structures and algorithms.
Activities that will give you an edge include experience building software outside of the classroom environment like an internship, hackathon, or research project. As well as showing the ability to work in a team and effective time management.
Microsoft started the program in 2017 dubbed Africa to Redmond; Hack for Africa. For its first iteration, Microsoft University Recruiting and Africans at Microsoft selected five universities on the continent to recruit from. University of Nairobi (Kenya), University of Lagos (Nigeria), Ashesi University (Ghana), Makerere University (Uganda), and University of Cape Town (South Africa).
The Microsoft Team is organizing free virtual resume workshops to help interested persons prepare for the application process. Where they will provide information on Microsoft’s recruitment program, share tips on how to make your application stand out, and answer your questions. The free resume workshop will take place at different times depending on your country. Here are a few below:
During the workshop, Microsoft recruiters will share more on the recruitment process. But it usually takes place in three phases and will look something like this. It starts with an online coding challenge. A panel will then review the entries and select applicants for the next stage. The selected candidates will have an in-person or virtual interview. Finally, a successful candidate from the three steps will join Microsoft for a full-time position. The candidate will be assigned to an engineering team once they accept the offer.
Don’t forget to kindly share this opportunity with your friends or anyone this might help so they don’t miss out.
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