(Photo: L-R: Sam Akinosun, Audrey Namdiero-Walsh, Stephan Goericke [iSQI Group CEO], Lydie Hakizimana [AIMS-NEI CEO], Erika Paasche, Momar Dieng, Ronald Huster) Photo Credit: iSQI GmbH
09th June 2022
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) and the International Software Quality Institute (iSQI GmbH) have entered a long-term partnership to boost the skills of youth in Africa. The partnership seeks to certify the skills of young africans including students and teachers at AIMS-NEI centers in Rwanda, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal and South Africa through internationally recognized certification schemes such as ISTQB®, TMAP®, iSAQB®, IREB® and schemes from A4Q.
AIMS NEI and iSQI also plan to launch a joint initiative called “iT Skills 4 Afrika,” which will establish a digital certification module geared towards closing the digital skills gap throughout the continent. According to the World Economic Forum, approximately 230 million jobs will require digital skills by 2030 across Africa. The ability to scale up the delivery of such digital training will ensure that youth in Africa are well-equipped to thrive in the growing digital sectors.
(Photo: L-R – Stephan Goericke [iSQI Group CEO], Lydie Hakizimana [AIMS-NEI CEO]) Photo Credit: iSQI GmbH
“Together with AIMS NEI and through the support of the German Government (BMZ/DEG), we are pursuing the goal of empowering IT enthusiasts in Rwanda and across Africa with specialized digital skills that are recognized globally. And by doing so, we hope to foster a culture of innovation, create job opportunities and a workforce with the digital know-how that will bridge the digital gap and unlock Africa’s potential.” said Stephan Goericke, iSQI Group CEO.
“Digital technologies unlock new pathways for rapid economic growth, innovation, job creation and access to services. Africa has a unique opportunity to harness the digital economy as a driver of growth and innovation, and partnerships such as the one between AIMS and iSQI will be instrumental in building our continent’s bright future. We are thrilled to play our part in providing Africa’s youth with the digital skills needed to be tomorrow’s innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders of the global economy.” said Lydie Hakizimana, AIMS-NEI CEO.
The AIMS center in Rwanda was recently recognized as an accredited training provider for the ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL); this is the world’s leading qualification in software testing. Through this partnership, iSQI will be able to conduct certification exams at all AIMS-NEI centers and satellite campuses across Africa.
About AIMS – Next Einstein Initiative:
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences is a pan-African Network of Centers of Excellence that offer quality postgraduate training, research and public engagement in mathematical sciences with a vision to lead the transformation of Africa through innovative scientific training, technical advances, and breakthrough discoveries, which benefit society as a whole; and a mission to enable Africa’s brightest students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa’s future scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency.
About iSQI:
The International Software Quality Institute (“iSQI”) is a leading global exam provider and accredited certification body with headquarters in Germany and subsidiary companies in the UK, the Netherlands and the US. Focusing on IT professions, iSQI certifies the know-how of professionals in over 110 countries on 6 continents in 10 languages, delivering more than 30,000 examinations annually.
About Beaming Knowledge in Africa:
Beaming Knowledge in Africa is a develoPPP.de project of iSQI GmbH co-financed by DEG from the public funds of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany, launched to create an opportunity for Africans to get the right professional certifications in order to compete globally.