Youth Innovators Design Bootcamp: Innovation and Entrepreneurial Opportunities of Emerging Technologies

The Second Youth Innovators Boot camp organised in the context of the African Regional for Science, Technology and Innovation is set to take place from 22-26 February 2021.  This year’s boot camp will be a hybrid event, with hands-on face-to-face bootcamp for students in Congo-Brazzaville, leveraging the STEM Centre which was inaugurated last year by UNESCO Director General, while other youths from across that continent will be able to connect virtually.

The 5-day event is set to emphasize the role of technology and innovation in achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the African Union Agenda 2063. It will allow youths to be innovative in applying the emerging technologies, with particular focus on Artificial Intelligence, Nanotechnology and Health Technologies for the future of Africa.

Zimbabwe hosted the inaugural boot camp in Victoria Falls last year with support from UNESCO, UNECA and South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. 250 participants from universities, colleges of education and polytechnics from all administrative provinces of Zimbabwe as well as primary schools were exposed to innovative technologies such as rapid prototyping using 3D technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and were introduced to entrepreneurship.