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Young Achievers Tech Awards (YATA), a TechnoMag powered initiative inconjuction with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, has revealed top adjudicators who will finally select the creative technology solutions that will fly the Zimbabwean flag high. Driven by the need to identify and celebrate the most outstanding tech players in Zimbabwe, TechnoMag chief executive and YATA founder Mr Toneo Tonderai Rutsito said it is time Zimbabwe celebrates its young tech players and showcase the Zimbabwe brand to the world in an open and fair manner that diligently hunts the best in the country.
TechnoMag has managed to identify renowned tech players, influencers, experts and various heads from local technology hubs to become the adjudicators to select the best of Zimbabwe`s next biggest tech players since they already have vast experience and exposure in the sector.
With entries for the prestigious Young Achievers Tech Awards 2015 ongoing and closing tomorrow, the list of adjudicators for the debut Young Achievers Tech Awards ceremony is revealed.
One of the most tech decorated personnel in Zimbabwe, Dr Gilford Tapera Hapanyengwi is part of the highly esteemed team of adjudicators. Having gone through a series of educational training, Dr Hapenyengwi boasts of an uncontestable experience in the technology industry ranging from deploying Quality of Service for Enterprise Networks, Managing Cisco Network Security, Building Scalable Cisco Networks, Software Engineering among his several experiences.
Dr Hapanyengwi is holder of a number of degree Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville Tennessee, Master of Science in Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville Tennessee, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Zimbabwe. He is the director at the Computer Centre at the University of Zimbabwe.
The ex-World Bank country manager for Zimbabwe Mr Nginya Mungai Lenneiye who is also the founder of Innovation Baraza, yet another technology hub that seeks to identify “Innovatorpreneurs”, which basically means innovative entrepreneurs, has serious passion and exposure to sustainable innovations through science and technology to turn around economies is also the Director of renowned Udugu Institute, and is co-convener and facilitator of Udugu Nexus.
The US Embassy public affairs officer, Nicole Finnemann’s experience with Zimbabwean techpreneurs will come in handy where she has already nurtured and helped build various tech start-ups and challenges in Zimbabwe. She has vast experience in the field having worked under LINC Negotiation Architects, The Korea Economic Institute and Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG), YALi programs and various regional young ICT pitch ups. Nicole is currently with the US Department of State under the US Embassy Zimbabwe.
Econet Executive personal assistant to the chief executive, Mr Lovemore Nyatsine, who was previously with Higher Life Foundation (Burundi, Lesotho & South Africa) and National Healthcare Trust Zimbabwe will be a key player in helping select the best from Zimbabwe. His experience as the head of Muzinda Hub, Zimbabwe’s first technology and innovation hub is priceless and will come in handy.
Mr Pumula Kanyile, CEO of Mtilikwe Financial Services, who previously was Head of information technology at Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe is well knowledgeable in Information Technology related issues hence his experience will aid to identify the best technological project in terms of viability and scalability.
Besides the experience from an IT perspective, the panelists also have the services of a renowned economist, Mr Brains Muchemwa. Mr Muchemwa and Mr Kanyile previously performed the very same office during Mobile Money Awards held few months ago. Mr Muchemwa is a group business strategist at ZEK Group International, was formerly with Genesis Financial Holdings as group economist. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe.
Mr Munya Chiura is a co-founder of Hypercube Hub, one of the biggest technology hubs in Zimbabwe who has been instrumental through their various projects, mentoring and training, which helped thousands of Zimbabwe’s tech players. He is a global citizen who believes technology will transform Africa beyond any of our expectations. Just like the previous judges, Chiura blends well with the technological ecosystem and has an international exposure under his belt.
Mr Chiura is a Partner at RTS Global Partners, which specialises in executive advisory and management consultancy, covering the African and Middle East regions. Previously he has been with Grow Advisors, Grow VC International Limited and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Centre and Research Institute.
Mr Rinesh Disai, who is co-founder at Hypercube Hub which has played a pivotal role in influencing influence the Zimbabwean tech eco-system through its core work space will come in handy to help select Zimbabwe’s finest techies. He was the master franchisee at Computer Troubleshooters Zimbabwe, an information technology and services company, and has previously worked with Grow VC International Limited, ICE Technologies, SevenC Computing.
Muzinda Hub, arguably the biggest technology hub in Zimbabwe by subscriber base, has 2 adjudicators coming in to add value in selecting the seed of Zimbabwe`s future technology innovators. Driven and inspired by Tsitsi Masiyiwa, the hub has been nurturing thousands of students with latest breaking news of bringing out more than 700 graduates who have been undergoing various tech training. This includes Mr Bernard Juru, who is the Coordinator and social media manager at Muzinda Hub who coordinated the training of 100 Muzinda Hub developers.
Following the entry deadline on Friday November 27, the awards judging day will take place later this month and will commence on the 28th with winners announced at an illustrious ceremony at Holiday Inn, Harare on Thursday December 3, 2015.
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