NAIROBI: A Chinese firm AVIC International has launched the second season of Africa Tech Challenge in conjunction with the Ministry of Education Science and Technology.
The competition seeks to empower students in technical training institutes (TTIs) by upgrading their technical skills, which will enable them get quality jobs or become entrepreneurs.
“Unemployment is the greatest setback facing the youth today and we at AVIC International are honoured to hold yet another challenge that will instill skills and empowerment to young people,” said AVIC International’s East African Representative Si Yanxuan during the launch.
“With the training resources in place, we will be able to embolden these young minds to cultivate the spirit of entrepreneurship, facilitate self-employment and also revolutionise innovations.”
The second season of the Africa Technical Challenge will begin with a nationwide recruitment of teams from different TTI’s and universities across the country. The teams will undergo training by Chinese experts on how to use raw materials and machines as well as gain techniques to use during the competition.
Marks will then be awarded based on skill, accuracy and precision, cost of production and quantity of raw materials used.
“We are proud to be associated with AVIC International in shaping the future of the youth. We are glad that this project is in line with achieving Vision 2030 Youth Agenda,” said Information, Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in a speech read by PS Joseph Tiampati.
REGIONAL COMPETITION
This year’s training will begin with four regional competitions that will determine 12 finalists, who will then proceed to Shamberere TTI in Kakamega County for final training and competition. The six winning teams will be awarded cash prizes of Sh1 million while the three most outstanding participants get a chance to win scholarships to study in engineering universities in China.
During the competition, the participants will have the opportunity to interact with business leaders, aimed at guiding and mentoring them. Last year, three most outstanding participants from the first season walked away with masters degree scholarships in engineering schools in China as well as cash prizes amounting to Sh150,000, Sh120,000 and Sh90,000 for the top three teams.
The most coveted award was won by teams from Kabete TTI and Nyeri TTI, who signed a commercial contract worth Sh10 million ($100,000) to go into local manufacturing of spare parts. The Africa Tech Challenge also launched a mobile app challenge to encourage participants enhance their creativity through development of a mobile application that meets specific criteria.
The competition attracted more than 200 applicants of whom the best 50 were shortlisted for training and competition. The top three mobile applications get a chance to walk away with Sh500,000, Sh200,000 and Sh100,000 ($5,000, $2,000 and $1,000) respectively. The overall winner will also get a six-month incubation period with GearBox of i-Hub.
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