The 2016 Ms geek finalists
Six young Rwandans were nominated among top ten African girls with innovations that selected as finalists for the maiden Ms. Geek Africa award 2017.
Ms. Geek is a competition designed to inspire African girls to be part of solving the continent’s challenges using technology and encourage them to choose a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Since 2014, the competition rewarded best young girls innovators of ICT solutions in Rwanda and this year, Girls in ICT, the organizer has partnered with Smart Africa to expand the competition to all its 17 member states to crown the first ever Ms. Geek Africa.
Finalists from Rwanda, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger were announced by Ms Geek Africa organizers after being selected among top 10 Girls in ICT in Africa today.
Rwanda alone has six nominees among 10 finalists with very innovative ICT solutions while other countries shared the remaining four places.
High school students from Rwanda dominated this list. They include Chrystal Omany of Green Hills Academy, Daniella Uwase of Riviera High School, Delphine Micomyiza of Groupe scholaire Notre Dame de Lourdes and Alice Mukashyaka of Singhad Technical Education society.
Two university students were also shortlisted including; Leah Akimana of University of Rwanda – College of Science and technology and Redempta Inema of Kepler University.
Lucy Mbabazi, the founder of Girls in ICT, an initiative that intends to promote ICT entrepreneurship among girls told KT Press, that Rwandan girls have already understood the beauty of the contest, reason why they respond massively.
As of solutions that were proposed by the ten finalists, Mbabazi said “They (solutions) are widely related to Smart Africa, Smart city.”
The finalists will undergo one week training while the top five shall compete on the final day for the Ms. Geek Africa 2017.
Three winners will be awarded during the Transform Africa Summit (TAS2017) scheduled in Kigali from May 10-12, 2017.
Since 2014, finalists of Ms Geek Rwanda have presented their ideas before a high level panel of judges. Last years’ finalists presented their ideas in the presence of The First Lady of Rwanda, Jeanette Kagame.
Rosine Mwiseneza 21, a second year student of Business Management at Kepler University emerged the winner of Ms Geek 2016.
Mwiseneza designed a system that automatically switches on and off an irrigation facility without farmers having to manually operate it.
The automated system consists of censors that first detect dryness or wetness of the ground.
Mbabazi said, Rwandan girls are already picking interest with Ms. Geek.
In 2014, she said, we only had 20 contestants, but the number increased to 120 contestants the following year.
The number keeps increasing with time.
With just over two weeks, about 3000 delegates from 80 countries are expected to attend Transform Africa – 2017 from May 10-12, 2017 under the theme ‘Smart cities, Fast forward’.
The summit is Africa largest ICT summit which will take place at Kigali Convention Center.
The summit will also see the launch of the Africa Smart Women and Girls initiative – which will also highlight champions of Women and Girls in ICT in Africa.
FULL LIST OF FINALISTS
1) Alice Mukashyaka from SINGHAD TECHNICAL EDUCATION SOCIETY – Rwanda
2) Chrystal Omany from GREEN HILLS ACADEMY – Rwanda
3) Delphine Micomyiza from GROUPE SCHOLAIRE NOTRE DAME DE LOURDES – Rwanda
4) Mamane Sani ISSA SALAMATOU from INSTITUT INTERNATIONAL DE MANAGEMENT – Niger
5) Ruth Waiganjo from UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI – Kenya
6) Daniella Uwase from RIVIERA HIGH SCHOOL – Rwanda
7) Angelina Awiti MUGA from MAKERERE UNIVERSITY – Uganda
8) Leah Akimana from UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA, COLLEGE OF SCINCE AND TECHNOLOGY – Rwanda
9) Redempta INEMA from KEPLER UNIVERSITY – Rwanda
10) Edwige GBOGOU – Ivory Coast
