The stage is set for the second UbuntuNet Alliance Women Hackathon, as the call for proposals officially closed on 13th September 2024. The hackathon, aims to foster innovation among young women across Eastern and Southern Africa, with a specific focus on research and education. This year’s call attracted an impressive number of proposals from talented women eager to showcase their skills, making the selection process incredibly competitive. After a rigorous evaluation, seven groups, each comprised of three young women, were selected to participate in the hackathon taking place as a preconference event to the UbuntuNet-Connect 2024 conference. These groups hail from various countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Malawi, Kenya, and Tanzania. Their selection reflects not only geographic diversity but also the range of innovative ideas submitted under the theme “Innovate for Research and Education.”
The submitted proposals demonstrated a deep understanding of the modern challenges facing education in Africa and presented feasible, impactful solutions aimed at addressing these issues. During the hackathon, the selected teams will have the chance to bring their innovations to life under the mentorship of seasoned professionals in the ICT sector. These experts will guide the young developers through the process of refining their solutions, ensuring that each team has the support necessary to succeed. In addition to the mentorship, the teams will have the opportunity to present their final innovations at UbuntuNet-Connect 2024. This platform provides the participants with a valuable opportunity to showcase their work, gain visibility among key stakeholders, and potentially secure partnerships that could help bring their solutions to a larger scale.
This hackathon marks the second of its kind and highlights UbuntuNet Alliance’s commitment to uplifting young women in the tech space. It is made possible by co-funding from the European Union through the AfricaConnect3 project, which has a strong focus on bridging the gender gap in research and education across the African continent. The project seeks to create more opportunities for women in technology and research, ensuring that they have the skills and resources necessary to succeed in these critical fields.
As the hackathon approaches, the excitement continues to build. The teams are gearing up to bring their ideas to life, and the anticipation for what these talented women will create is there. For those who were not successful in this round, there will be future opportunities to participate and showcase their potential. Congratulations to the selected participants, and best of luck as they embark on this exciting journey of innovation and empowerment!