After emerging victorious in the sub-Saharan regional Tech4Good competition, five Malawian university students who represented Malawi have scooped fourth position and were named third in the People’s Choice award at this year’s prestigious Tech4Good competition global finals in Shenzhen, China.
Tech4Good is Huawei’s entrepreneurship program designed to help young adults learn about the latest trends in digitalisation and explore how digital technologies can address common social issues.
The students, Grace Gausi from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Nyasha Chinthu of Malawi University of Science and Technology, Steve Tsekani from the University of Malawi, Tayamika Kaponda from the National College of Information Technology, and Victoria Kankhokwe from Mzuzu University, qualified for the global finals after demonstrating mastery in cutting-edge ICT skills in the sub-Saharan regional phase of the competition.
Malawi, South Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Argentina, Guatemala, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Ireland, and Luxembourg are among the 12 countries that qualified for this year’s global finals.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Steven Tsekani, from the University of Malawi, said that the invaluable opportunity to travel to participate in the competition has exposed them to cutting-edge innovations and deepened their understanding of global ICT trends.
“We are extremely grateful to Huawei for believing in us and investing in our future; it was a great opportunity to represent Malawi on a global platform. We learned about emerging technologies and collaboration, innovation, and what it means to be part of a global tech community,” said Tsekani.
Managing Director for Huawei Malawi, An Tao, said Huawei is motivated by the ICT capabilities Malawian youths have displayed throughout the competition’s journey.
“Our objective is to see many Malawian students taking up the ICT challenges to enhance sustainability. Being ranked fourth and named third in the award, Malawian youth have proven their capabilities on the global stage during the recent Tech4Good Challenge, indicating that Malawi’s youth have limitless potential,” said An.
According to An, the competition solidifies its commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to further their ICT skills and knowledge.
By Mwai Mtumodzi
