2024
April
Afretec commits to enhancing collaborations for research advancement
The New Times
March
Afretec gender in STEM workshop
University of the Witwatersrand
The Afretec Gender in STEM workshop took place from February 19-24, 2024. Hosted by the University of Rwanda and CMU-Africa, 10 students from Wits University attended the session and learned about common issues for women in the technology sector and academia as well as how to solve these problems.
Afretec supports 400 trainees at skill-building workshop
The New Times
February
CMU-Africa works with Afretec to promote gender inclusivity in STEM
The New Times
CMU-Africa works with the other members of Afretec, a network of six universities based in Africa, to promote gender inclusivity in STEM. Afretec recently opened a three-day workshop focusing on common barriers to female representation in STEM, emphasizing that women play a crucial role in the evolving landscape of STEM fields. CMU-Africa’s associate director, Nancy Biwott, explains to The New Times that, regardless of science or art, each person should be allowed to pursue their passion. “Whether you are a female or a male, every interest is valid,” Biwott says.
Afretec brings workshop to University of Rwanda
The New Times
2023
December
Afretec member Wits University sweeps Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Intervarsity finals
University of the Witwatersrand
Afretec member Wits University sweeps Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Intervarsity finals, which were held from November 30 to December 1, 2023. The school recorded three achievements, and Wits student Asif Aziz took home R20 000 for winning the Tech category with his platform Libex. Medical student Lethabo Maphopha also represented Wits with his company BroughtCargo, an ecommerce platform that bridges the supply chain gap for smaller businesses and helps them compete more effectively in the marketplace. Finally, Wits also received the DVC of the Year award for their exceptional efforts in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.
November
Wits University secures research grant as part of Afretec collaboration
University of the Witwatersrand
Multiple departments from Wits University are receiving funding from the Afretec Member Inclusive Digital Transformation Research Grant as part of the Afretec collaboration. These include the School of Education, the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, the School of Economics and Finance, the Department of Neurological Surgery, and the School of Electrical and Information Engineering and Department of Internal Medicine.
Afretec educates UR staff in cybersecurity through three-day workshop
The New Times
The University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology held a three-day workshop where 32 staff members learned about cybersecurity and protecting their computers and data. This Afretec initiative is part of the collaboration's goal to support inclusive digital growth.
Faculty Enrichment Program provides opportunities to learn
Carnegie Mellon University Africa
Carnegie Mellon University Africa, in collaboration with the University of Witwatersrand, held its annual Faculty Enrichment Program in October. The Faculty Enrichment Program aims to support ICT instructors by providing an opportunity to explore effective teaching and learning methods and approaches and network with colleagues across institutions.
October
Afretec research planning grant brings assistive technologies to those in need
Carnegie Mellon University Africa
In 2022, the African Engineering and Technology Network awarded one of its first research planning grants to a team of researchers whose goal is to make assistive technologies accessible in second and third-world countries. As a direct result of this funding, the team wrote a paper and presented their findings at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (IDETEC-CIE), which took place from August 20-23, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts
Pan-African network celebrates collaboration at second annual conference
Carnegie Mellon University Africa
September
Afretec workshop held at the University of Rwanda
The New Times
A one-day academia-industry workshop was held at the University of Rwanda to discuss collaboration. The workshop took place on September 13, 2023, gathering the Afretec implementation team, academic staff, private industry partners, and Afretec beneficiaries. At the event, the stakeholders discussed how the quality of education can be improved through the Afretec project in collaboration with industries.
August
Winning group of Wits-Afretec Tech-Entrepreneurship Workshop create sign language translator prototype
University of the Witwatersrand
The Wits-Afretec Tech-Entrepreneurship Workshop brings together students from different universities around Africa to create technology and AI solutions for everyday problems. This year, the winning group created a sign language translator prototype that revolutionizes the way those with speech and hearing difficulties access healthcare. With technology like this, patients will be able to better communicate with their providers and experience fewer misdiagnoses and misunderstandings.
May
$3.3 million awarded to advance digital technology in Africa
CMU College of Engineering