Microsoft launches mentorship programme for female graduates in Kenya

Microsoft in a statement said it is partnering its 4Afrika Initiative, and the African Centre for Women in Information and Communications Technology (ACWICT) for the programme that would promote skills development and job placement for Kenya’s young female graduates.

Participants will enjoy one-on-one Skype sessions to demonstrate the effective utilisation of technology to gain information worker knowledge; they will also get on-the-field EmployMentor week training. The candidates will benefit from a combination of Microsoft’s skilled talent base and Microsoft finance mentors around the world.

“Unemployment is a challenge for many youth, and initiatives such as EmployMentor can bridge the skills gap between academia and the working world,” said Kunle Awosika, Microsoft Kenya country manager. “Through the 4Afrika Initiative, Microsoft aims to play an active role in the evolution of Africa from a labour-based economy to a knowledge economy, by empowering local innovation, up-skilling youth with 21st century ICT skills and providing Internet access.”

“When women are included in the mainstream economy, the spinoff effect is social uplift for their families and surrounding community,” said Olive Mugenda, vice chancellor of Kenyatta University. “All women mentees from Kenyatta University demonstrate a positive attitude, strong work ethic and passion to impact their community positively through business-oriented IT solutions. We are looking forward to what they will achieve in a few years’ time, and they will be ambassadors for more women who aspire to succeed in the business and IT fields.”