20 female students from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CONAS) attended a four-day bootcamp hosted by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in the last week of March this year, and the Conference Lab at SUA’s Solomon Mahlangu Campus. The purpose of the event was to empower and prepare the young women to develop innovative ICT solutions that would address societal issues.
The girls were eager to take part in the boot camp after being selected from a pool of applicants due to their enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The training camp’s success was the result of the organizers’ tireless efforts, which included Dr. Sumari, Prof. Mtega, and Prof. Sanga.
Dr. Karugila, the principal of CONAS, and other department heads presided over the opening ceremony. Dr. Neema Sumari and Ms. Anna Geofrey, TCRA and SUA facilitators, led the girls through a variety of sessions that included virtual video conferences, presentations, and hands-on activities.
The training camp is a preparation for International Girls in ICT Day, which is observed globally on April 27 and will be held in Zanzibar for Tanzania. The girls left the boot camp feeling empowered and motivated to improve their communities. They were eager to put their newly acquired skills to use because they had been given the knowledge and tools necessary to develop creative ICT solutions that would address societal challenges. They were grateful for the opportunity provided by TCRA and SUA, and were determined to use their newfound skills to make a difference. With the support of the organizers, facilitators, and mentors, they knew that they could aspire and inspire in science, innovation, and technology (SIT).
“TCRA supports the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) initiatives to raise awareness of the gender digital divide, provide hands-on technology education and training, and encourage young women to seek jobs in science and technology,” part of TCRA’s tweet read.
The following are difference engagements and presentations of the bootcamp participants and facilitators
