Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

Ils étaient au total 43 étudiants à prendre part à la phase de l’interview finale a été organisée le 4 Aout 2022 à Yaounde et Douala par la Huawei Cameroun. Le programme dénommé : « Seeds For The Future » édition 2022 est entre dans sa phase d’interview finale le 4 Aout 2022 dans les villes de Yaounde et Douala, capitale politique et économique du Cameroun.  C’est le campus de l’université de Douala et l’hôtel Djeuga à Yaoundé qui ont reçu ces 43 étudiants retenus suite à l’examen écrit de présélection qui s’est déroulé le 15 Juillet 2022. Ces derniers sont tour à tour passés à cet examen oral devant un jury composé d’un représentant du ministère de l’enseignement supérieur(MINESUP), d’un représentant du ministère des postes et télécommunications (MINPOSTEL) et de deux enseignants certifiés de la « Huawei ICT Academy ». Cette 2eme étape franchie du programme dénommé : « Seeds For The Future » a permis aux nouveaux candidats retenus de répondre aux questions portant sur leurs connaissances en technologies de l’information et de la communication tels que la 5G, l’IA, l’Intelligence Artificielle, le « Cloud Computing », le « Big Data » et l’Internet des objets. La Directrice des Relations Publiques de Huawei zone CEMAC, Madame Edmonde DJIOKENG TEBOH a souligné une fois de plus l’importance de ce programme mis sur pieds par le géant des télécoms, Huawei dans le but d’accompagner le gouvernement camerounais dans le cadre de transfert de compétences à la jeunesse. Elle a indiqué que : « Seeds for the Future » est un programme prioritaire des activités à responsabilité sociale Huawei, ce programme à but non lucratif qui s’inscrit dans le cadre du transfert de compétences à la jeunesse camerounaise initié par Huawei, suivant l’accord de partenariat dans le domaine des Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication signé entre le gouvernement du Cameroun et Huawei le 03 Septembre 2018, sous la haute consigne de S.E. M. Paul BIYA, Président de la République du Cameroun. En effet, Huawei s’est engagé à s’appuyer sur ses expériences internationales dans plus de 170 pays dans le monde, pour aider le gouvernement camerounais à développer une Stratégie Nationale de Développement de l’Economie Numérique, cela passe non seulement par la technologie, mais aussi par la formation et le transfert de compétences à la jeunesse qui est l’un des leviers indispensables au développement de l’économie numérique du Cameroun ». Heureux et enthousiastes après avoir affrontes les différentes épreuves de cette phase d’interview finale, les candidats qui viennent des grandes écoles partenaires de l’Huawei ICT Academy ont exprimé le satisfecit. Sur les 8 grandes écoles partenaires de Huawei dans ce programme, c’est 6 écoles qui sont représentées selon des informations fournies par Huawei Cameroun. Ces étudiants candidats de cette étape proviennent de l’Université de Douala, l’Institut Universitaire de la Côte, l’Université de Buea, l’Institut Africain d’Informatique du Cameroun, l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Postes, des Télécommunications et des Technologies d’Information et de la Communication et l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique de Yaoundé. Selon Alexandre DEMBELE, étudiant de l’Institut Universitaire de la Côte de Douala, il est serein car ayant déjà valide la phase écrite. Il dit : « Tout s’est bien passé. C’est déjà un exploit d’avoir réussi l’écrit ». Autre réactions recueillies, celles de la jeune étudiante de l’Université de Buéa, Racheal NKONGHO TAFONGOH, qui a salué les acquis en terme d’apprentissage au cours de ce programme. Rachael a indiqué que : « Très heureuse d’avoir participé car j’ai beaucoup appris dans le cadre de ce concours. Des préparatifs à l’interview en me confrontant aux autres étudiants, je me sens mieux outillée dans la maîtrise des technologies de l’information et de la communication grâce à Huawei ». Le panel des jurys constitués de  deux (2) enseignants certifiés par Huawei et de deux (2)des responsables d’administration des ministères clés a été reparti ainsi qui suit : Dans la cite économique à Douala, les étudiants ont été interviewés par Dr Joseph MVOGO, Chef du Département Génie Informatique à l’IUT de Douala et de Mr WIRNKAR Basil enseignant à l’Université de Buea et à Yaoundé, la capitale du pays, les jurys étaient Germain KOUKOLO KOUKOLO, Directeur des Affaires Générale au MINPOSTEL et Mme Marthe Solange MBALLA, Sous-Directeur de l’assistance aux étudiants MINESUP représentants leurs administrations respectives qui ont évalué les étudiants. Aux sorties de l’interview finale, certains enseignants ont réagi à l’instar de Basil WIRNKAR, enseignant à l’Université de Buea, instructeur de « Huawei ICT Academy ».  L’enseignant a apprécié l’ambiance générale et la qualité des candidats interviews. Il dit : « Très ravi de voir les effets liés au succès de l’introduction des cours sur Huawei Technology dans nos universités. Vous voyez les étudiants sont très enthousiastes et sereins car ils sont persuadés qu’ils seront des ingénieurs bien formés capables de contribuer au développement de l’économie numérique dans notre pays grâce à Huawei ». A titre de rappel au Cameroun le programme dénommé « Seeds for the Future » a déjà enrôlé et formé 120 étudiants et à la suite de cette étape, les 20 nouveaux étudiants qui seront retenus vont s’ajouter à cette liste. Huawei ICT Academy est un programme déjà implanté dans huit(8) grandes écoles des TIC au Cameroun à savoir : l’École Nationale Supérieure Polytechnique de l’Université de Yaoundé 1, l’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Postes et Télécommunications, des  Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication ( SUP’PTIC), l’Institut Universitaire de la Côte (IUC), l’Institut Africain d’Informatique (IAI), l’Institut Supérieur de Formation aux Métiers des Télécommunications, de l’Innovation Technologique, de Commerce et de Gestion ( IFTIC – SUP), la Catholic University Institute of Buea ( CUIB). Une collaboration fruit du partenariat et de l’Accord signé à Beijing entre le Président de la république du Cameroun et son homologue de la Chine. Elise Kenimbeni

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Plan International Cameroon officially granted on August 4, 2022, a consignment of ICT kits to students’ refugees who benefited from the 2021-2022 DAFI programme. Halime is a Chadian student currently undertaking a two-year course at the national school of administration and magistracy, ENAM. Just like other beneficiaries of the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative programme known as DAFI, she received a brand new tablet that will help her in conducting research for her studies. The young female student who is in Cameroon for several years now due to conflicts in Chad features among the 109 students’ refugees who were successfully retained in the 2021-2022 DAFI programme launched at the level of the non-governmental organization, Plan International Cameroon. While receiving her new ICT equipment from the hands of Mr. Johnson Bien-Aimé, Country Director of Plan International, Halime hailed the two organizations that eased her enrollment into the DAFI programme and promised to use the tool in a positive way that will impact her studies. Christine Kikora, a student refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who acts as Vice-president and spokesperson of the DAFI club said thanks to the programme many refugees can henceforth hope to pursue their studies and achieve their dreams. Christine equally outlined the fact that the ICT kits will facilitate online research and assignments. The DAFI scholarship programme as underscored by the representative of UNHCR at this ceremony, offers qualified refugee and returnee students the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree in their country of asylum or home country. Pascal Blaise Sol Mankono, the national administrator in charge of education at UNHCR indicated that the DAFI scholarship programme constitutes one of the five core pillars of the strategy to achieve 15 per cent enrolment of young refugee women and men in higher education by the year 2030 – the 15 by 30 Roadmap. “We gave tablets and we even hope to intensify this action with computers in order to permit these young students to gain advantages offered by the internet.” He said. He however wished that Plan International Cameroon accentuates awareness calls and sensitization campaign in a bid to alert thousands of young refugees who are not informed of opportunities granted by the DAFI scholarships. In his key words, Country Director of Plan International, Johnson Bien-Aimé first praised this initiative which appears to be a source of hope, added to the numerous educative activities carried by his organization on the ground nationwide and even worldwide. He said: “First of all let me say thank you to UNHCR for the DAFI programme and thanks to the government that gives us this opportunity to support young people especially refugees to have hope to continue living out of their home countries. Youths are at the heart of our activities in Plan International, meaning that everything that comes from youth development, everything coming from youth interest, we are in to support it from the beginning till the end…” Mr. Johnson Bien-Aimé equally addressed the selected group of beneficiaries as a father and called them to make positive and responsible use of these ICT kits. He said with easy access to the internet, many youths nowadays are trapped in ill practices and on social networks they are seen in degrading activities which do not honour them. He further said: “We believe that the youths will make good use of this powerful equipment. It can be dangerous if they don’t use them well or if they get them lost. We hope they will take care of it, they will use it for good, they will use it for their education and by the way act as ambassadors of the DAFI programme so that we can be motivated to support others.” Through the dedicated support of the government of Germany, the support of Denmark and the Czech Republic, UNHCR and other private donors, the programme has supported over 18,500 young refugees to undertake tertiary studies since 1992. As indicated by the Coordinator of the DAFI programme at Plan International Cameroon, Dorine Ngo Djon, this programme has been existing for close to 20 years in the country and has restored hope in the minds of several students’ refugees. According to UNHCR, the DAFI programme has four main strategic priorities which are to: Promote refugee self-reliance through increased access to opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship; Empower students to contribute knowledge, skills and leadership and facilitate peaceful coexistence with host communities during displacement and upon return; Strengthen the protective impact of education by encouraging lifelong learning; Provide role models for refugee children and youth to demonstrate the impact of education on individuals, communities and societies. Elise Kenimbeni

As part of weeklong activities marking the 28th edition of the International day of indigenous people, Social Affairs Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene presided over the 10th session of CISPAV in Yaounde, Cameroon on Wednesday, 03rd August 2022. Cameroon will celebrate on August 9, 2022, the 14th edition of the international day of indigenous people under the theme: “Promoting inclusive Education in a Post-Covid-19 context: The Place of the indigenous child” while in the international arena, the focus will be on: “The Role of Indigenous Women in the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge” as the theme for the 28th edition. Identified as indigenous people in Cameroon, the Mboboro communities, the Baka, the Bakola, the Bagyelis, and the Bedzan are those put at the forefront during discussions of the intersectoral monitoring committee for programs and projects involving vulnerable indigenous peoples known in its French acronym as CISPAV, to upgrade their living conditions. Thus deprived of land, health and economic facilities the indigenous people are each year celebrated for their key contributions to the development of the country. The role of indigenous women highlighted this year has paved the way for several associations and local organizations working for the rights of these communities. They have expressed their will to see more changes in their legal status at both the international and national levels. Indigenous women just like other women wish to be empowered more on income generating activities as a way to cater for their children. Speaking to Maimuna Umaro, Women Coordinator of the association known as Sura-Mama, she underscored the major activities carried out in the Littoral and South-West regions in terms of educative talks and empowerment. According to the female Coordinator of Sura-Mama, more than 65 mbororo women have been empowered in income-generating activities in the South-West. Also, Maimuna Umaro praised continuous efforts undertaken by government officials notably the ministry of social affairs, to set up a dialogue between the government and leaders of associations. She said: “We are happy when our government calls for us to ask us what can we do to integrate the indigenous people the in the educational background or the society. We, therefore, take advantage of this meeting by telling them to provide our children and youths the opportunities to get back to school to enjoy the same rights as other children. So this is now, the role that our organization is playing as a relay between our communities and administrations, given the challenges we face at the community level, presenting these challenges to the government who in return can develop strategies that can help eradicate all the problems we encounter…” While presiding over the 10th session of CISPAV, Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irene Nguene laid emphasis on both the national and international themes of this year. She said despite the numerous challenges to which are submitted indigenous people who do not have access to land and social amenities, the women keep safeguarding their traditional values and transmit them to their children. The Minister said both themes are crucial at this moment as Cameroon has embarked on several strategic orientation plans. Minister Nguene indicated that the promotion and protection of the fundamental rights of indigenous peoples is a major action in the implementation of the Head of State’s social policy. This political will has been translated into action through the implementation of several programs/projects in favour of vulnerable indigenous populations, which aim to guarantee their access to citizenship, basic social services, and socio-professional integration with a view to their empowerment. Pauline Irene Nguene equally outlined the fact that, a national plan for the development of indigenous peoples known as PNDPA was validated in 2020 and made operational in 2021 in order to serve as a basis for any action undertaken in favour of the said populations, whatever the sector or spectrum of intervention. As underscored by the Director of national solidarity and social development, Henri Nyambi III Dikosso, the 10th session of the intersectoral monitoring committee for programs and projects involving vulnerable indigenous peoples, CISPAV held this year comes in to review and monitor the level of implementation of recommendations made in the previous sessions and try to fill in the gaps. The session as indicated, had as main objective, that to create a synergy of actors and resources to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions for vulnerable indigenous populations in general and specifically in the area of education and gender promotion. Indigenous peoples constitute more than 350 million people in the world, distributed among at least 5,000 different peoples whose current situation varies according to the degree and extent of recognition of their rights by the States that integrate them. They may face particularly precarious living conditions and serious threats. This distinguishes them from the rest of the population in the societies in which they live and justifies the need to grant them special legal protection in international and national law. Elise Kenimbeni