DVC ARE Prof Peter Gichangi (1st from left), Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir (4th from right) pose in a group photo with ambassadors and Swahili Pot Hub Officials during the official opening of Pwani Innovation Week 2023
The County Government of Mombasa will this month launch Fursa App where young people in the area would be logging in to upload their credentials for accessibility by potential employers, Governor Mr Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has disclosed.
Addressing hundreds of Mombasa residents at the official opening of the Pwani Innovation week 2023, the governor urged youth to take advantage of that platform to make themselves visible to employers hence enhancing prospects of securing employment.
The Fursa App has been created by the Swahili Pot Hub with the aim of benefitting the youth in the county.
The governor reiterated that his dream is to make Mombasa a smart city. He noted that they have already advertised a tender to purchase CCTV cameras to be placed in various strategic sites within Mombasa City and its environs to reduce insecurity.
Prof Gichangi
Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics Research and Extension Prof Peter Gichangi said TUM is a Technical Institution which gives opportunities to the youth to sharpen their skills.
“At TUM we encourage students to be open minded and think as if there was no box at all.’’ Prof Gichangi quipped, as students laughed.
Prof Gichangi stated that students with innovative ideas are nurtured so that their dreams can be actualized.
He disclosed that TUM has well trained human resource and facilities to prepare students for the job market.
“Our programmes range from Certificate, Diploma, Degree, Master Degree and PhD. We have Kwale and Lamu sites. Students in those counties can easily access higher education. We also have TUM TVET institute where students can pursue short courses in various fields, artisan certificates and Diploma Courses," the DVC explained.
The Technical University of Mombasa staff and students are actively participating in the event showcasing their talents and skills in the field of robotics, agriculture and Information Technology.
A total of twenty (20) students are taking part in the hackathon competition, which serves as an innovative platform for collaboration and Problem-solving.
Ambassadors
French Ambassador to Kenya Mr Arnaud Suquet commended the Swahili Pot Hub team for making the event a success. He explained that there are several opportunities for young people in France and urged the youth to apply for Free scholarship opportunities in France to further their education.
He also encouraged the youth to study French language in order to access more opportunities in France.
Such sentiments were echoed by Belgium ambassador to Kenya Peter Maddens who encouraged the youth to look for opportunities not only in Kenya but across the globe.
On his part Saudi Arabia to Kenya Ambassador Khalid Abdullah Al-Salman said this year they increased scholarships from 100 to 200 for Kenyan students to study in Saudi Arabia. He urged the youth to take advantage of that opportunity.
Charlene Ruto
Youth Champion Charlene Ruto emphasized on the importance of digital literacy among the youth. She requested the mentors and sponsors to support the youth so that they can achieve their dreams.
“You have promised to help the youth. I know they will call, some will try to reach you in whatsapp, please do not ignore their calls, messages and emails," Charlene said.
The week long event started on Monday October 2, 2023 and will continue until Friday October 6, 2023. Innovation Week is an annual event held in the coastal region of Kenya where it brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and policymakers to explore and promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
This year, Pwani Innovation week has gone international where delegates from Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia and Mozambique are participating.
The event serves as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and showcasing innovative ideas and solutions.
The theme for Pwani Innovation Week 2023 is "Sailing Beyond Borders: Empowering Youth in the Digital Economy for Sustainable Future."
Pwani Innovation Week aims to foster a widespread culture of innovation and stimulate the innovation ecosystem in the coastal region of East Africa. The initiative is a collaborative endeavour led by the Swahili Pot Hub Foundation and its partners.
