Denis Opudo
The latest Zalego reports indicated that 72% of local Kenyan firms prefer software solutions developed by foreigners instead of Kenyans. Besides, the report indicated that only 26% of Kenyan firms hire local experts to develop their software solutions.
Recently, the United States International University – Africa (USIU-Africa) and 4Afrika Initiative of Microsoft launched AppFactory in Kenya. Therefore, Microsoft will allow students to access various networks and tools for successful learning. On the other hand, USIU-Africa will provide space for the program. The launching occurred in Nairobi at the Incubation and Innovation Center (I2C). The initiative intends to remove the existing gap between employers and ICT graduates.
Moreover, the launching of the I2C AppFactory becomes the 14th Microsoft AppFactory in Africa. Currently, Microsoft has AppFactory in Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Ghana, and Egypt.
The I2C AppFactory in Kenya will enable students to obtain skills in implementation, development, and management of modern software solutions.
According to the Vice Chancellor of USIU-Africa, Professor Paul T. Zeleza, many Kenyan ICT startups do not recruit students immediately. He also said that the companies do not consider taking ICT graduates through extensive training before recruitment.
In 2017, within the first three months of graduation, approximately 85% of students who graduated from Africa AppFactory secured full-time jobs. The main target for AppFactory will be final year ICT students at USIU-Africa. Moreover, the AppFactory will also target fresh graduates from other Kenyan universities and colleges. The program will also have a slot for 30 students who will receive mentorship and training by senior software craftsmen. Therefore, they will become software apprentices
Moreover, the Dean of the Microsoft 4Afrika Academy, Lutz Ziob said that their graduates are hotcake in the market. Many of them secure jobs even before graduation. In other parts of the continent, the AppFactory students are taught ways of coming up with software solutions for various sectors. The sectors include education, business, transportation, tourism, finance, and agriculture.
Interested applicants can enroll for the program here
