By Emmanuel Awari -Jalingo
Students from leading universities across Africa join new initiative designed to give young Africans real-world experience before graduation
A Nigerian Pan-African leadership and innovation organisation Doubleyou, is launches the inaugural African Student Impact Program (ASIP), aimd at bringing together university students from more than 18 African countries to gain practical experience, build technology solutions and develop leadership skills while still in University.
The Founder and Executive Director of Doubleyou Centre, Israel Yabkwa said,
“Africa has brilliant young people. What many lack is the opportunity to gain meaningful experience before graduation,”
According to him, the programme’s first application cycle has attracted students of age 18 years and above, from across West, East, Southern and North Africa, creating a diverse community of emerging African leaders.
Yabkwa list the institutions represented in the applications ato include, Covenant University, University of Ghana, Makerere University, Addis Ababa University, University of Rwanda, African Leadership University, Kenyatta University, University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, University of Botswana, University of Carthage, University of Sierra Leone, University of Kigali, Adventist University of Central Africa, University of Maiduguri, University of Jos, Bowen University and the Nigerian University of Technology and Management, among others.
He also list the participating countries represented in the applications to include, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Botswana, Malawi and Tunisia, among others.
“From classrooms to real-world experience. ASIP is built around a simple premise: students should not have to wait until graduation to begin gaining meaningful work experience.
He disclose that the six-month programme will place selected fellows into multidisciplinary teams working on real technology and social-impact initiatives. Fellows will be expected to contribute to projects, collaborate across national borders, take on leadership responsibilities and develop a portfolio of demonstrable work.
“This is particularly significant in a continent where young graduates frequently encounter the paradox of being asked for work experience before they have had an opportunity to acquire it.
“We want to change that. We want a student to be able to graduate and say: I have not only studied; I have built, led, collaborated and delivered.”
“From classrooms to real-world experience. A generation building across borders. The applications reveal a highly multidisciplinary community.
The Executive Director disclose that students applying to ASIP are studying computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, information systems, engineering, medicine, nursing, public health, law, business, finance, political science, agriculture, communications and other fields.
“Their interests include AI and automation, software development, cyber security, product development, UI/UX, digital marketing, community development, communications and creative technology. Some applicants are already building products and leading communities.
“For example, an applicant from Rwanda described leading a four-person development and product team through a hackathon in Kigali and subsequently pitching their product at AfroTalks/AfroPitch. Another applicant from Zambia’s Copperbelt University reported organising a campus workshop that attracted more than 50 students and generated 30 new users for a digital platform – Yabkwa said.
“An applicant from Sol Plaatje University in South Africa reported mobilising more than 500 students through technology tutorials and Huawei ICT Academy activities.
“These examples, Doubleyou Centre says, illustrate the kind of leadership potential the programme hopes to develop.
He pointed out that beyond an internship a major component of ASIP will be The Builder’s Room, Doubleyou Centre’s weekly Sunday-evening leadership series.
“The platform will bring senior figures from international organisations, government, academia, business, technology, media, faith and civil society into direct conversations with the fellows.
He disclose that the session is expected to feature distinguished leaders including professionals from the International Labour Organization, international development institutions, technology, public policy, law, entrepreneurship and leadership.
“The idea is to expose students not simply to career advice, but to the experiences, failures, decisions and principles that shaped people who have already built meaningful careers and institutions.
“Building products, not just résumés, Fellows will also contribute to Doubleyou Centre’s innovation ecosystem, including Labari, its digital knowledge and African literature platform, alongside other emerging technology and social-impact projects.
“One applicant from Rwanda specifically cited Labari’s vision of making African books and knowledge accessible digitally as a major reason for applying, while applicants across the programme have expressed interest in using technology to address challenges in education, healthcare, community development and access to knowledge.
“The programme also incorporates the CEO of the Month concept, giving fellows opportunities to experience leadership responsibilities while still students.
A Pan-African experiment in leadership for Doubleyou Centre, the programme is ultimately bigger than a six-month internship.
“Its ambition is to develop a continuing network of young African builders who can collaborate across borders long after their university years.
“We are not trying to produce students who simply know how to apply for jobs. We want to develop young Africans who know how to build teams, build products, build institutions and eventually build the Africa they want to live in.
“The inaugural ASIP cohort will be selected following the close of applications, with the programme expected to begin with an official onboarding and the launch of The Builder’s Room later in August – Yabkwa said.