Kenya among 9 African States represented at this year’s Africa Tech Challenge

By Victor MIJUDU

Kenya is among 9 African countries that sent its participants to the Africa Tech Challenge Season VIII (ATC) which took place in Kenya.

As a result, a number of contestants were awarded certificates of merit after successfully going through the technical course in a span of 41 days.

Participants from Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Egypt, Zambia, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast including Kenya, raised their states’ flags high in the event which marked the end of ATC Season VIII 2023.

Hosted under the Ministry of Education in Kenya, Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) has continued to work with various educational institutions in Africa to increase and develop professional skills.

Zhao Lei Lei, Director of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) expressed his gratitude for the partnership with the Ministry of Education for the immense corporation in achieving the ATC season VIII goal.

“I want to thank the Ministry of Education and The Technical University of Kenya for agreeing to host this season…, you have been very supportive and you made sure that we had everything we needed to conduct ATC successfully.
“As the sponsors, we are humbled to have been a part of this transformative journey”, he said.

Mr. Zhao Lei Lei congratulated the team from the participants to mentors for the esteemed discipline portrayed throughout the training.

“We have witnessed the power of innovation and collaboration and each participant has demonstrated their ability to push boundaries, overcome challenges, and embrace the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our participants and TVET trainers and mentors…, you have poured your hearts and minds into this challenge. Your hard work, creativity, and commitment have not only impressed us but have also inspired us”, he added.

He further encouraged all ATC participants to continue embracing the skills achieved in the training to help them realize their long-waited dreams in the engineering sector.

“As we conclude this season of ATC, let us remember that the learning does not stop here…, the challenges you have faced and conquered are just stepping-stones towards greater accomplishments”, he said adding that the experience obtained from the training will act as itinerary toward discovering new ideas and opportunities.

ATC is a skilled-based initiative that rose as a result of TVET’s partnership with the Aviation Industry of China (AVIC) that started in 2014 to empower youth by equipping them with technical skills, in the form of training programs and competition with the most outstanding participants receiving fully sponsored, cash prizes and employment.

To underscore the impact brought by AVIC International to the African region, the Deputy Director of Technical Education, Bernard Isalambo noted that the African tech challenge has opened the eye to the African youth to help in developing its region through innovations.

“ATC focuses on the improvement of livelihoods in Africa by engaging youth in Africa to develop its continent through innovations and avoid the bulky importation of products from the rest of the world”, he stated.

Meanwhile, ATC has shaped colleges and universities in the African continent by equipping more facilities for students.
“The ATC has so far been able to achieve so much by constructing about 701 colleges and universities in Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)…, on top of that, ATC has helped to give orders for production to over USD 500.

“We have 15 students from Kenya who are studying on scholarships in China just from this ATC program, while over 45 students are absorbed in internships”, he said.