Fruits of government of Rwanda’s continued investment in promotion of ICT saw two Rwandan young innovators participate in this year’s ICT Telecom World 2011 held Geneva, Switzerland held on 24th -27th October 2011.
“Their innovative contributions will definitely help bring digital solutions to challenges that we are currently facing,” Rwanda’s Ambassador to Switzerland, SolinaNyirahabimana, said.
This competition targeted worldwide young innovators who were able to portray innovative ideas through taking advantage of ICT with the aim of making the world a better place.
This summit lasted for four dayswhichmarked its 40th anniversary celebrations and was marked in tandem with the Broadband Leadership Summit which entailed highest level meetings on the implementation of broadband worldwide, exhibitions, competitions and networking sessions.
The summit also looked at core issues shaping the future of networks and services; technical symposiums which provided debate and information exchange on cutting edge technological development and Digital Cities.
A big delegation from Rwanda that included Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a selection of private sector companies dealing in mobile application development that included Broadband Systems Corporation, United Kingdom Telecommunications Academy (UKTA), Hehe Ltd, M-Ahwii and Pivot Access, all participated in the summit.
Katabarwa Robert presented his Igisekuru project (a software that tries to trace a person’s ancestors) while Joseph Gatete presented his project aboutQuicksms in Secondary School. Both students later emerged among the 45 out-of 160 entrants selected to participate in the young innovators competition. The competition targeted young innovators with fresh ideas that take advantage of ICT with the aim of making the world a better place.
Patrick Nyirishema, the Head of RDB-ICT said the event provides an opportunity for Rwanda to showcase specific ICT projects in order to harness investment potential.
“This year’s event has been special in that there has been a huge involvement of youth to share fresh and practical ideas and even compete globally,” said Nyirishema.
As investment in Rwanda’s ICT sector continues, there is much hope that Rwandan innovators will also begin participating in more highly recognized competitions like Silicon Valley’s.
