Intel Launches My Digital Journey Software for its She Will Connect Program
Global Peace Foundation, Intel and education representatives celebrate at the launching of My Digital Journey software in Kenya.
Intel Corporation and Global Peace Foundation Kenya have been training female students in internet and technology use through Intel’s She Will Connect program. The program recently introduced innovative training software, My Digital Journey, and gathered over a hundred participants from government, business and civil society in Kenya for the software launch on January 26, 2016.
Cidgem Ertem, Intel Corporation Regional President for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, emphasized to participants the importance of bridging the gender gap in technology use in Africa. Erem cited a recent Intel-supported study that found 43 percent fewer women than men are online in Sub-Saharan Africa and said it “inspired us to start a program to close it.” She said that the worldwide program that started in Africa “had an aim of reaching up to five million women, backed by our great partner network.”
Cigdem Ertem, Intel Corporation Regional President for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa giving opening remarks at the launch.
The My Digital Journey software leads girls through challenges on a range of technology topics such as creating strong passwords, marketing products and making presentations.
The Global Peace Foundation has been using the software in its Leap Hubs program, a leadership and entrepreneurship program that equips students with skills for the twenty-first century workforce.
During the launch, four Leap Hub students who used the My Digital Journey software in its test phase spoke on how the platform has helped them to solve problems in their communities and form better relationships with peers. Student Mercy Kinyua said interacting with students from other countries during the program’s challenges “has improved my communication skills and has helped me know how to carry myself with respect and confidence in society and school.”
Mercy Kinyua, a Leap Hub student from Ngara Girls High School (right), and speakers during the launch.
Another Leap Hubs student, Caroline Wambui, expressed gratitude towards the Global Peace Foundation and Intel Corporation for introducing the program to her school. “It is through them that I was able to actualize my dream of helping society,” Caroline said.
“After losing my uncle who needed an urgent kidney transplant, I decided to come up with a mobile application called Donor App that connects patients in need of organs to potential donors.”
Additional guests at the launch include Rosalind Hudnell, Intel Corporation Vice President, Director of Corporate Affairs and President of the Intel Foundation; Ferruh Gurtas, Corporate Affairs Manager, Intel Middle East, Turkey and Africa; Suraj Shah, Intel Africa Program Manager, Corporate Affairs group; and Babatunde Akinola, Intel Corporate Affairs Manager, Nigeria among others.
