MTC narrows digital divide with the 2019 Tech Innovation Bazaar

WINDHOEK, MAY 25 – Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Faculty of Computing and Informatics and Local Tech Innovation Hub recently held the 2019 Tech Innovation Bazaar.

The event has been tipped to become an annual assignment aimed at allowing local entrepreneurs, developers and engineers to showcase their work and equally present themselves as marketable assets to the ICT industry.

MTC as the main sponsor forked out N$100 000 as a symbol of its shared spirit of innovation and inclusion to the event. The mobile telecommunications giant strongly aligns itself with the creation of ideas and how the populace at large can benefit from digital technology.

Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation stressed on funding for platforms of this nature both from government and corporate companies, saying many local tried and tested products die a natural death after students graduate because of the lack of funding to build on their innovations.

“Many students create technological solution while studying and once they are done, their graduation from university signals the death of their ideas and products they created during their degree program. We thus need events of this nature to exhibit innovation,” echoed Kandjii-Murangi.

The platform presented a rich mix of activities on technology innovation and its applications in the fields of business, social issues and culture.

A line-up of local inventions were exhibited at the Bazaar, such as health and business administration applications, service, gig work, retail advertising, music platforms, automobile accessories, distance education platforms and advanced technologies to ensure safe internet for children.

In addition, precedence was placed on software and hardware to aid with business administration and various digital learning tools which is focused on enhancing reading skills.

MTC’s Corporate Affairs Manager John Ekongo emphasized that development would be at scrutiny without inclusivity and that innovation is as equally a beacon to the course in the need to realise an improved well-being.

“MTC believes in the advancement of not only local talent but also technological projects that aid in the well-being, improvement and betterment of this nations local inventions. While we are committed to improving the connectivity of every Namibian, it is also our duty to support innovative course so long the Namibian is at the receiving end of a life made better.”

The bazaar closed on 23 May 2019 at the Namibia Business Innovation Institute in Windhoek, opposite NUST lower campus. – NDN Staffer