Mbarara University of Science & Technology (MUST) is proud to announce that the MUST-IUC UCoBS Subproject-5, “Increased Youth Employability through Skilling, Innovations, Experiential Learning, and Technology Transfer,” has been selected to represent Uganda at the prestigious Youth Connekt Africa Summit 2024. This year, the summit will be held from 8th to 10th November at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda, under the theme, “Jobs for Youth through Innovative Skilling.”
The Youth Connekt Africa Summit, a leading platform for youth empowerment in Africa, brings together government officials, international organizations, private sector leaders, and young innovators from across the continent. The summit aims to address the high youth unemployment rate and foster solutions that equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. This year’s theme underscores the importance of innovative and targeted skilling in creating sustainable employment opportunities for young Africans.
The MUST Delegation
The delegation from MUST comprises nine individuals, including project leadership, faculty mentors, and student innovators who have been actively involved in the UCoBS project. Dr. Mannasseh Tumuhimbise, the lead of Subproject-5, will head the delegation. Accompanying him is Dr. Rennie Bakashaba, a valued project mentor who has provided guidance and support to students on innovative skilling and entrepreneurial development.
In addition to the project leadership, the delegation includes a select group of talented student innovators who have undergone intensive mentoring and training under the UCoBS project. These young entrepreneurs have displayed remarkable potential and commitment to building sustainable business solutions that address Uganda’s pressing demographic and employment challenges.
A Partnership for Youth Empowerment
The UCoBS Subproject-5 was established to address Uganda’s critical youth unemployment challenge by promoting entrepreneurial and innovative skilling. With unemployment among Uganda’s youth population at a staggering 83%, the project’s objectives align closely with UNDP Uganda’s mission to foster development and support sustainable livelihoods.
UNDP Uganda’s partnership with UCoBS will support the delegation’s participation in this international summit, providing a platform for these young innovators to share their work, connect with other African youth, and gain insights from industry leaders. It will also allow them to explore new ways of applying the skills learned through UCoBS and developing collaborative projects that can drive employment and innovation within Uganda and beyond.
Building a Brighter Future for Uganda’s Youth
Participation in the Youth Connekt Africa Summit represents a significant milestone for MUST, UCoBS, and Uganda. The delegates will have the opportunity to attend sessions on cutting-edge topics such as digital transformation, green entrepreneurship, and youth-led innovation, which align with the goals of Subproject-5 to support youth employability, skilling, and technology transfer.
Upon their return, the delegation will share their insights and learnings with the MUST community and apply these lessons to further strengthen the UCoBS project. Their experience at the summit will inspire other students and stakeholders to pursue innovative and entrepreneurial paths that contribute to national and regional development.
As the MUST-IUC UCoBS Subproject-5 delegation embarks on this journey, we celebrate their achievements and wish them great success at the Youth Connekt Africa Summit 2024. This is more than just a recognition of their hard work; it is a testament to the transformative power of youth empowerment and the potential for sustainable development across Africa.
