"It supports African youth through vocational education, fostering economic development."
In 2014, China House joined hands with AVIC International Holding Corporation (AVIC INTL), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd. (AVIC), to launch a special project called "Africa Tech Challenges" (ATC). This initiative was born out of a growing concern about high youth unemployment rates across Africa.
The main goal of ATC was crystal clear: to provide African youth with valuable engineering skills and training. The aim was to empower these young individuals and help them become proficient, qualified workers ready to access meaningful job opportunities in their respective fields.
Since its inception in 2014, the Africa Tech Challenges program has made remarkable progress. As of August 2023, it continues to thrive, with the opening of the 8th Africa Tech Challenge event at the Technical University of Kenya in Nairobi. This competition drew participation from 83 teams and 332 students representing nine different countries, including Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The competition featured two categories: CNC lathe competition and mechanical engineering drawing and CAD application design competition.
But what's the real benefit and impact of this initiative?
Firstly, the competition serves as a platform for African youth to showcase their skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in the fields of science and technology. Additionally, the program employs digital technology to offer free vocational education to African youth through the AVIC INTL vocational education online platform. This approach helps African countries nurture high-quality technical personnel and contributes to the economic development of African societies through vocational education. It also sets an example for Chinese companies looking to fulfill their social responsibilities overseas.
As an extra incentive, winning teams receive rewards, and individual champions may be granted fully funded scholarships to study in China or recommended for internship or employment opportunities.
In a nutshell, "Africa Tech Challenges" is not just a competition; it's a catalyst for positive change, offering African youth the chance to build a brighter future through knowledge, skills, and opportunities.