One of the main topics of discussion that came up in last week’s Microsoft #WomenInScience celebration was how we should make sure that youth are properly skilled for the demands that the technology will bring in the future. With rapid changes in how the internet and its uses are evolving, it’s crucial that the youth are equipped with the necessary skills and methodologies for better understanding of how to ensure that technology is an equalizing force in the world.
Even as March 8, International Women’s Day approaches, it’s not only right to remember and celebrate female heroes, it’s just as important to encourage young women to know they can and should be among the next generation of inventors. This is exactly what Microsoft is striving to do, by showing the lack of awareness girls today have about women inventors and reminding them to celebrate those women’s accomplishments and be encouraged to follow in their footsteps.
According to Alex Nyingi, Microsoft Philanthropies Lead, investing in digital inclusion, from providing access and connectivity to the public cloud to delivering digital skills training, to educating the next generation of innovators through greater access to computer science education for all youth is adamant in giving them a sense of independence, which encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.
Microsoft Philanthropies looks at what role technology can play to help advance the cause of our communities and how to combat some of the communities’ biggest challenges by using technology.
Alex takes us through his 8 year journey with Microsoft and how program’s like DigiGirlz, Microsoft Youth Spark Initiative and #MakeWhatsNext campaigns seek to not only applaud women but encourage and empower the younger ones to do and become more.
Tell us about your work
Its been over 10 years working in ICT4D & ICT4E in Africa and I’m currently managing the Microsoft Philanthropies program in West East Central Africa and Indian Ocean Island with specific responsibilities to working with non-profits to provide them with affordable access to the technology they need to support their work in local communities, and to leverage technology to help them achieve their missions and accelerate their impact, leveraging the reach and scale of Microsoft’s brand and voice to spotlight and prompt action on key challenges to digital inclusion among many other duties.
We work a lot with NGOs because it’s the best way we can approach these communities. I think some of the best parts of what I do include how we get to see things from a different light. E.g in health, we may look at some health related issues and think of it from a technological point of view, but when we go out there, we’re directed to look at it from a holistic point and at the end of the day it’s a win win situation.
How has it been so far?
It’s been fun and challenging in its own ways but what I like about it so far it gives me a lot of leeway to do things that I’m passionate about with the backing of the organization. As I learn, I’m also able to evolve. I’ve been able to share, interact and have my eyes opened to how people are willing and able to work to make the world a better place.
An amazing thing about Microsoft is they also encourage partnerships. They really find it important when we harness the potential of the people and organizations around us; I mean in the end, we’re all working for the betterment of the whole community.
How is Microsoft Philanthropies as a separate entity leveraging on making STEM easily accessible to the youth and young girls in particular?
One of the programs we have is Microsoft Youth Spark, that is designed to create opportunities for hundreds of millions of youth around the world. Through partnerships with governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses, we aim to empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with greater opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
In short, we want to empower youth to change their world by giving them access to digital skills allows them to create, innovate, and thrive not only in STEM careers but also across all sectors.
Technology is changing how we live work and play and some of the biggest benefits we get in terms of engaging the youth is that they are the ones who consume tech the most and they are the ones who will carry the mantle, it becomes a game changer when you actually listen to what they need from technology.
It remains our responsibility to prepare the youth and girls in particular for how much tech is changing.
As Microsoft, what do you think are some of the conversation starters that will be sparked from the recent #WomenInScience celebrations?
The first thing we’re mainly focusing on is the actual celebration of women and girls in STEM. We are happy to see the number of women interested in STEM increasing and even as we wait for the International Women’s Day I hope that we’ll keep celebrating them and their achievements.
Second is as Microsoft, we’re already hitting the ground running with a couple of meetings and partnerships to see how we can start taking action on the issues discussed at the conference and see how each of our organizations can contribute to seeing these action plans taking place.
We’re also really looking into expanding how we approach women creators and innovators. 99% of the time, creators are male. But we’re looking at how we can work with the younger girls from high school who are creators and expose them to the resources they need to keep creating.
Is the African tech landscape favourable to women?
Honestly, not yet. But we’re making strides in making sure this is possible. As Microsoft, we’re actively engaging themselves in taking technology to the youth and the rural areas and we are purposely making sure that these opportunities are available to women.
In as much as we aren’t where we need to be, we have made significant strides.
What else can we expect from Microsoft in seeing more women interact with STEM?
Definitely a lot more mentorship. You’ll get to see more staff from Microsoft spending more time in schools engaging and encouraging young people.
We will also have more end to end way to our programs. We don’t just want to have workshops and conferences, we want to have engagements where we can walk with them till the end of the program.
Sometimes you find an exciting project started out but in some cases, the beneficiary is left in the middle with the hope that they’ll finish on their own – and the success rate of this is pretty low. We want to partner more with the teachers because they spend the most time with the children – and have them equipping the kids with the necessary skills, giving them encouragement and empowering them to become more.
One thing I admire about women is that even with the hardships they face, they always come up in top. Ironically enough is in the midst of the number of hardships they face, they never let those obstacles put them down.
We aim to increase the number of teachers, trainers and youth serving organizations that have the capacity to bring digital skills – from digital literacy
to computer science education – to youth in and outside of the classroom.
A big part of this will be addressing the barriers standing in the way. These include outdated public policy; misunderstanding about what the subject teaches; a lack of people able to teach it; and a misperception about the type of people who should be studying the subject.
It’s an economic and moral imperative to ensure our youth are equipped with computer science skills. When they use technology to create something of their own design by coding for example, it builds technical skill, innovation, confidence and motivation – all of which are critical for their future success and that of their communities.
