Welcome to our pre-summit evaluation blog!
The WAAW Foundation Annual Fellows Summit brings together fellows from different countries in Africa to participate in a week-long series of events focused on empowering and inspiring women in STEM. The summit provides an opportunity for fellows to connect with each other, learn from experts in various fields, participate in leadership training, and develop skills that will help them conduct presentations successfully and succeed in their careers.
Meet our fellows:
With the annual fellows summit quickly approaching, we think that getting to know some of the fellows who are just as excited about the summit would be a good idea through this evaluation blog. Through this blog, we will introduce you to fellows from various African countries who are majoring in STEM courses and provide an evaluation of their current knowledge in the major sessions the summit covers.
Naibei Ruth
-: Hello, Ruth. Can you introduce yourself?
Ruth: My name is Naibei Ruth. I am currently in my fourth year studying electrical and electronics engineering at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.
-: How are you affiliated with the WAAW Foundation?
Ruth: I was awarded the WAAW Foundation scholarship in 2022
-: Have you previously attended one of the WAAW Foundation’s annual summits?
Ruth: No
-: What do you hope to get out of the summit?
Ruth: I hope to learn from the trainers, develop new skills, and relate with other fellows who will be in attendance
:- How did you feel when you were chosen?
Ruth: I was very excited because this is the first time I will be leaving my country for another.
:- Can you rate your proficiency in web development on a scale of 0-10?
Ruth: I would say I’m at 2, I have a fundamental knowledge of it
:- Can you rate your proficiency in embedded systems (Arduino) on a scale of 0-10?
Ruth: I have zero knowledge of the use of Arduino
:- Can you rate your proficiency in the field of robotics on a scale of 0-10?
Ruth: I would say I’m at zero but hope to learn more about this at the summit
:- Can you rate your proficiency in 3D modeling and printing on a scale of 0-10?
Ruth: I’m at zero in 3D modeling and printing right now on a scale of 0 to 10, but it is a field I am interested in, and hope to learn from the trainers at the summit.
:- What’s your initial perception of South Africa?
Ruth: South Africa is a very developed country, and I believe it has various beautiful destinations and places for outdoor activities and, more importantly, a rich African history.
:- A message to the WAAW Foundation and its sponsors?
Ruth: I am really grateful and honored for the opportunity to be a part of the summit
Takondwa Mwamadi
-: Hello, Takondwa. Can you introduce yourself?
Takondwa: My name is Mwamadi Takondwa, and I am a graduate of the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Department of Physics and biomedical sciences.
-: How are you affiliated with the WAAW Foundation?
Takondwa: I am a WAAW Fellow at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Malawi.
-: Have you previously attended one of the WAAW Foundation’s annual summits?
Takondwa: No
-: What do you hope to get out of the summit?
Takondwa: The summit will give me a chance to better my skills in coming up with more Innovative ways to achieve various solutions that can help
with some of the problems we face in our communities.
:- How did you feel when you were chosen?
Takondwa: I was very excited
:- Can you rate your proficiency in web development on a scale of 0-10?
Takondwa: My rating on my knowledge of Web development would be a 3
:- Can you rate your proficiency in embedded systems (Arduino) on a scale of 0-10?
Takondwa:: I have zero knowledge of the use of Arduino
:- Can you rate your proficiency in scratch programming on a scale of 0-10?
Takondwa:: I have the basic knowledge of scratch programming; I know how it works, so on a scale of 1-10, I’m at a 2.
:- Can you rate your proficiency in 3D modeling and printing on a scale of 0-10?
Takondwa:: I have zero knowledge of 3D modeling and printing but hope to learn a lot about it during the course of the summit.
:- What’s your initial perception of South Africa?
Takondwa: They are rich in culture; they have embraced their cultures to date in various ways, which is admirable.
:- A message to the WAAW Foundation and its sponsors?
Takondwa: I am so grateful for this opportunity of being one of the WAAW fellows attending this summit and I will make sure I put in my best so as to make this opportunity worthwhile
Oyoo Grace
-: Hello, Grace. Can you introduce yourself?
Grace: I’m Oyoo Grace, and I’m a third-year Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering student at Moi University in Kenya.
-: How are you affiliated with the WAAW Foundation?
Grace: I received a scholarship from the WAAW Foundation in 2021.
-: Have you previously attended one of the WAAW Foundation’s annual summits?
Grace: No
-: What do you hope to get out of the summit?
Grace: I expect to acquire many STEM-related skills, i.e., robotics, AI, coding, and the like. I also hope to expand my social circle and discover other areas where my passion lies. I hope that the summit will be the start of life-changing tasks that I will begin to pursue. Also, I hope to understand and learn how to improve our outreach programs to become more impactful and influential.
:- How did you feel when you were chosen?
Grace: When I was chosen, I got so excited that I could not wait for April 16th. I am very happy, and I feel honored to be part of the WAAW Foundation. There are literally just a few days to go, and my excitement is almost at its peak! Thank you so much WAAW Foundation for this amazing and life-changing opportunity
:- Can you rate your proficiency in web development on a scale of 0-10?
Grace: I am pretty proficient in the field of web development, so that would be a 5.
:- Can you rate your proficiency in embedded systems (Arduino) on a scale of 0-10?
Grace: I have no experience using Arduino as of yet.
:- Can you rate your proficiency in wind energy experiments on a scale of 0-10?
Grace: I have some knowledge of wind energy experiments, so I’d rate myself a 2 on a scale of 0 to 10.
:- Can you rate your proficiency in 3D modeling and printing on a scale of 0-10?
Grace: I have no experience with 3D modeling or printing, but I’m hoping to learn a lot during the summit.
:- What’s your initial perception of South Africa?
Grace: Incredible diversity, stunning landscapes, and rich culture are some of the terms used when describing the beauty of South Africa. I can’t wait to see for myself.
:- A message to the WAAW Foundation and its sponsors?
Grace: Thank you so much for giving me the chance to be a member of such an amazing organization. I love it here
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