The partnership program with Microsoft Nigeria has seen women trained in coding and deep tech skills. Through an experiential learning initiative called the Nigerian Women Techsters.
With partners like Microsoft we have been able to train 2475 women across 12 states in Nigeria for free, says Diwura Oladepo, Executive Director Tech4Dev.
Nigerian Women Techsters takes women from varying backgrounds through a cohort of 12 weeks.
Training them in coding and analytical skills. As well as exposing them to available employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within the technology space.
The digital skill tracks covered include, web and mobile application development, games development and embedded systems.
Fatima Ahmed a participant of the Tech4Dev Nigerian Women Techsters program shares her experience.
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Fatima is a chemistry graduate from the University of Ilorin. Like many other Nigerians, she couldn’t get any job after her national youth service program. She recalls a friend telling her about the opportunities in tech.
“Coincidentally at that time another friend told me about the Nigerian Women Techsters program. Where she learnt how to code and build websites. Seeing what she could do i was motivated to apply.”
She shares gaining technical and soft skills. Learning how to code and build websites, communicating effectively and working in teams.
I thought i was just coming to learn new skills and go back to apply for jobs. But during the training, i started getting job opportunities. Today, i work as a technical support engineer at Tek Experts, where i provide cloud-based solutions. I am glad i took a bold step to come for the Nigerian Women Techsters training.
Ivy Barley, co-founder of African women in tech non-profit organization Developers in Vogue, joins Microsoft. She joins Microsoft in Redmond as Program Manager in the Office 365 Experiences and Devices Team.
“Stoked to announce the next stage of my career growth”, Ivy takes to her Twitter social media page to make the announcement. She is optimistic about the opportunity to make a bigger impact at Microsoft and take her company to another level.
I’m glad to part of @Microsoft, a company that’s leading technological advancement globally. I’m even more proud to be associated with a company that loves and supports the work we do at @devinvogue . This is literally ‘Come as you are, do what you love‘.
I'm glad to part of @Microsoft, a company that's leading technological advancement globally. I'm even more proud to be associated with a company that loves and supports the work we do at @devinvogue . This is literally 'Come as you are, do what you love'.
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Microsoft is partnering with SheHacks Kenya to co-host this years HackFest event. A move that showcases Microsoft’s commitment to supporting and advocating for Kenyan women and minorities with interest in cybersecurity engineering. The two day festival is taking place at the Strathmore University Business school in Nairobi.
Day 1 at HackFest 2019 ?: SheHacks
Microsoft General Manager Cybersecurity Engineering, Hayden Hainsworth was the keynote speaker at the event. She expressed the company’s delight to partner with SheHacks for this year’s Hackathon.
“We want to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity engineers. With a focus to prepare women to thrive in the technology industry.
We also want to make it easy for anyone to take their next step forward in technology, Hayden says. Highlighting the importance of the partnership and event in developing competency in tackling cyber threats in a rapidly evolving tech ecosystem.
Pratik Roy, Microsoft Modern Workplace and Security Business Group Lead speaks on the principles of kill-chain at HackFest 2019
We have seen tremendous growth in the number of young women who want to participate since we founded this initiative. SheHacks founders Evelyn Kilel and Laura Tich shares. Emphasizing the need for increased support towards the youth in Kenya. To support this, they share that this years Hackfest will host close to 300 young ladies from across Kenya.
Hackfest 2019 will firstly bring together learners and experts to share knowledge and experience. Secondly it will try to inspire and nurture others to join the cybersecurity industry. Thirdly it will equip and empower them with the required technical know-how to combat cyber-crime.
Ten female developers will participate in the first cohort of the Microsoft LEAP Program in Nigeria. They will recieve sixteen weeks of training in technical support software engineering roles.
Microsoft Leap Hackathon in Nigeria
This is part of Microsoft‘s plans to encourage diversity and inclusivity in software engineering roles in Nigeria. Microsoft LEAP has started in Nigeria with the intention of getting more females into technology. Princess Anya, Microsoft Business program Manager, Global talent Innovation in charge of Microsoft Leap Program West Africa, tells me.
The LEAP Engineering Acceleration Program is a Microsoft initiative that tries to increase diversity. Bringing more women into software engineering roles. By providing them with real world experience through development and project management apprenticeships with hands-on projects.
Speaking to me about the program, Princess Anya, shares that the ladies will undergo four weeks of classroom and labs training. After which they will proceed to do twelve weeks of hands-on project sessions. Where they handle projects with guidance from mentors.
At the end of the 16 weeks LEAP apprenticeship program, the ladies will join Microsoft partner Tek Experts as full time employees. Where they will work as support Software Engineers, supporting customers with Microsoft Solutions.
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Are you a female interested in becoming a software developer or already a developer? Microsoft Tech community Kenya invites you to the launch of its female community on October 5, 2019. 10 am at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.
The invitation reads;
We will be launching the Microsoft Women in Tech community at Strathmore University, Nairobi Kenya. Come ready to learn and network with successful ladies in the tech industry and know what is in store for you.
Join a platform of like minded people to learn, teach, mentor and network.
Click to register and plan to be at the launch event. Don’t forget to share this with anyone who might benefit from this.
