In an effort to empower Africa through innovation, Kampala International University (KIU) through the School of Mathematics and Computing (SOMAC) hosted a significant training event on Tuesday, 26th September 2023. This enlightening session themed "Empowering Africa Through Innovation." was organized by Microsoft African Development Center (ADC).

The training held at the 5th floor of the Iddi Basajjabalaba Memorial Library (IBML), served as a pivotal platform for staff and students to explore how the Microsoft ADC is actively driving innovation and creating unparalleled opportunities for Africa's brightest minds.

Professor Mouhamed Mpezamihigo, the Vice Chancellor of Kampala International University, expressed his appreciation to the Microsoft ADC team for arranging such an enlightening and captivating training session for the students at KIU.

"Good things are ahead of us. You are lucky because we are in the era of open access. There is a lot you can do with your smartphone. We thank Microsoft for giving you access to information about tech opportunities. As KIU, we look forward to a working relationship with Microsoft ADC,” said Prof Mpezamihigo.

Irene Githinyi, the Education Engagement Team Lead at ADC, said that ADC campus trainings are a great opportunity for Microsoft ADC to interact with faculty and students on merging technology and available opportunities.

“We appreciate the Universities that have agreed to collaborate with us on various skilling initiatives to enhance the digital skillset in the country,” Irene Githinyi added.

"Begin your professional journey on LinkedIn by sharing the small steps you take, and watch as your network grows into something significant," Irene advised students.

Assoc. Prof. Janice Busingye, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration encouraged the students to have an open mind about this training. “There are lots of opportunities out there. Use this training to get informed on the way forward”, she said.

In her opening address, Dr. Margaret Kareyo thanked the University Management for making this programme possible and the Microsoft ADC team for their commitment to skilling African youths.

The training also explored topics such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things, providing participants with valuable insights into the future of African tech.

Networking sessions offered KIU students the chance to connect with fellow tech enthusiasts, industry experts, and potential collaborators. These interactions facilitated the exchange of ideas and the formation of partnerships that could potentially shape the trajectory of technology in Uganda and the broader African context.

The ADC team also shared the vast opportunities for students seeking to carve out a career path in the tech industry, the training offered insights into career opportunities and internship programs, providing attendees with a roadmap to navigate their tech-related aspirations.

Kampala International University's collaboration with Microsoft ADC for this event underscores the institution's commitment to nurturing and empowering the next generation of tech innovators in Africa. By providing a platform for knowledge sharing and networking, KIU and Microsoft ADC are collectively contributing to the growth and advancement of Africa's tech ecosystem.

The team from ADC was represented by Irene Githinyi, the Education Engagement team lead at ADC, Jolynn Kirui a Cyber Security Senior security program manager, Bethany Japchumba a cloud advocate and Vitalis Asiku the Software Engineer at ADC.

The training session also saw the participation of several other KIU members, such Dr. Hashim Ibrahim Bisallah, the Director of Research, Innovation, Consultancy, and Extension (RICE), Additionally, Dr. Margret Kareyo, the Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Innovation, Consultancy and Extension, was in attendance, Mrs. Judith Ariyo Bakakimpa, the Campus Administrator alongside senior lecturers from the SOMAC.

ABOUT ADC

The Africa Development Center (ADC) represents Microsoft's first-ever development centers in Africa. With locations in both Nairobi, Kenya and Lagos, Nigeria, the ADC is a premier center of Engineering for Microsoft.

By leveraging the diversity of the region, ADC is building world-class talent who create innovative solutions for global impact. ADC believes that this investment will better enable them to fulfill their mission of empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.