International Women’s Hackathon {Upcoming Event}

Hey there! How are you doing? I really hope you are all as peachy as I am. Is it just me or does everyone else have some sort of an oversleeping disorder when they have a lot on their plate but cannot seem to catch a wink when they have absolutely nothing to do? I had to literally "excavate" my head from the pillow this morning! Waaah, Aluta Continua! But I’m glad I did, because despite the rain, this is a good day.

Anyway, my awkward sleeping patterns aside; I came bearing something nice for the ladies! {And no, it’s not the new +Sauti Sol video that everyone is ranting and raving about! Ahem...Ahem} I am talking about the upcoming International Women’s Hackathon that is slotted to take place this month!

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This Hackathon is a worldwide crowd sourcing event that is aimed at empowering young women leaders in Computer Science to support other young women at Universities and Campuses around the world to become producers of future innovations in technology.

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This is because Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce, which are all crucial to Kenya’s innovative capacity and global competitiveness, have very few women represented. There is therefore a need to do more to expose young women to the opportunities that are available to them in the STEM fields.

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In light of this, the ACM-W chapter in partnership with +AkiraChix Kenya and +Microsoft Research Connections have decided to come together and support the worldwide crowd sourcing women’s Hackathon.

The ACM-W is the Association of Computing Machinery’s Committee for Women in Computing. It aims to recruit, equip and retain women in computing. They mainly work with students, educators and employers to enhance the learning and working environments for women in ICT.

Their activities include:

• Training women in institutions of higher learning in different areas in ICT, including software development and project management
• Attachment Placements
• International Women’s Hackathon
• Mentoring for women in Computing

Read more here.

This event provides every woman attendee with a fun and safe environment in which to explore computing and help solve challenges in the word today. Hackathons are not only a chance to explore ones skills and learn in the process. They also provide for a lot of networking and merry making. Oh, not forgetting the food and lack of sleep…which is always very interesting! {See here and here}

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If this is for you, make a date to attend the event by registering here before 15^th May, 2014 for the Hackathon day which will be on 23^rd and 24^th May, 2014 at Bishop Magua, Ngong Road. If you know someone who could be interested, pass on the message as well.

Thank you so much for reading. It is always a pleasure to have your audience. You guys are the best! 

Have a lovely afternoon and remember to always do cool things that matter!

#HappyDays