Young African Summit Works - students teach

MasterCard Foundation from October 29-30, Cape Town, 2015, South Africa held its first Summit of Young Africa Works. the collection is focused on preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship in agriculture. REUBEN Kym University World News, close to the summit, Reta ROY, President and CEO of Toronto-based fund said.

AWN: What do you think about the topic of the summit in terms of new ideas and strategies to develop sustainable youth employment summit come out?

Roy: Summit a truly practical examples, youth employment transition, so big and yet so important to the economic and social transformation of the continent's agricultural sector, in particular, can be employed in ways that were designed to demonstrate fresh thinking around.

I think the first thing to come to the summit with high energy; I have heard that, because that's what the summit to put young people to work in the center. We have already seen examples of proof of a lot of young people to take action.

Central Africa began at the age of 14 Rabbit We heard young entrepreneurs, and we are statistically significant female rabbit revenue of US $ 1,000 a year that can be learned yesterday.

Again, a young entrepreneur, started by a woman who grew up on a farm - We saw an example of financial services through technology and information. He called himself a farm girl! Today, she is an entrepreneur, we call agriculture is supported by information and technology.

So, I think the first thing. We have to move fast, innovative models showing that the agricultural sector and at the same time a part of it. So, what is possible is to present a new vision of an alternative.

Secondly, we had real issues around access to finance. There are limits to financial institutions? There are restrictions for young people?

To finance the creation of financial education through mobile technology provides ways to model the financial group was the group - - and yet at the same time, the solution is one of the biggest issues to overcome some of these limitations.

We in the private sector can play a role in response to market demand and have heard about.

I'm just here in South Africa, the economy is a very unique model of understanding is required by the organization's meeting in Harames arrived.

They do not even need a basic degree for students or young people, the vast majority of jobs in the agricultural sector and the business map of how to South Africa in an in-depth analysis of 680.000. We can see now that opportunity, but here you are - so you do not have to show us that there are.

UWN: What is the role of higher education, especially in the construction, agricultural skills? Agricultural training or higher education can help develop skills in this area and that there is a need for a significant expansion in other ways?

Roy: I have several levels of Higher Education would like to play a very strong role to play.

the future of the agricultural sector in all of science, technology and education are. Institutions of higher education through the knowledge there is no better way to propel the type of growth. So they have a bachelor's or master's degree in education and income levels of the education system has a role to prepare future entrepreneurs.

Secondly, what's going to happen to the agricultural sector in a knowledge-based global economy is operating under.

So we have to be more productive in terms of generating research should be higher - around technologies seeds, better planting techniques, soil analysis and implications for climate change, as well as ways of understanding could be reduced. Higher education can help in this kind of knowledge that there are a myriad of ways.

Third, it is not enough to focus on that one thing. Many universities are starting up incubators - ways to create new technologies. Some of these technologies in the industry and may have contributed to the growth of the industry.

If we examine closely the higher education can help you, you probably have more than one way.

And the second question, the answer is yes.

Youth for the technical and scientific, as well as training as well as practical application needs to be a greater level of investment in terms of experience, so they can be included in a business environment, what you learn.

The work environment is not just an office or formal employment; it is also a farm, a manufacturing facility or service industries may be, but they work very closely throughout the agricultural value chain can tie back.

UWN: MasterCard scholarship in Africa will contribute to what?

Roy: MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is the most important day in our program. It focuses on mid-level and university level education of young people across Africa, US $ 500 million initiative. This is more than just a scholarship.

Books own funds - which, of course, fees, room and board, a child or a young student should be learning environment provides for everything. Most importantly, all of this is really a focus on the development of young people, mentoring, career counseling, internships provide opportunities for voluntary work.

One of the most important aspects of this program is the selection of the young man, early encouraged that the expectations and values. We encourage young people to think about the lives of as an instrument of change.

How are going to give to the community - we ask them to start thinking now? You learn to apply your knowledge to develop and have a wonderful opportunity, how would the world be a better place? How would improve and give back to the community?

A doctor, a lawyer, an agronomist, or whether you choose to become a teacher, I think about the role of leadership. There will be a role model for other students in your community? You can find ways to make a contribution to the profession and why?

UWN: What universities are cooperating with African?

Roy Cape Town University and the University of Pretoria in South Africa, there are two well-regarded universities. We also prepare young people for college, work with the Leadership Academy in South Africa.

Uganda's Maker ere University. Ashes University in Ghana [in 2012 co-founded the first African university] and Kama Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

I secondary education, we are helping us run the application Forum for African Women Educators in Ethiopia and Rwanda, but also that works should be noted.

We also educate young people in secondary and higher education in Ghana, works with Women's Education Campaign. The vast majority of students come through the program will be women scientists.

UWN: You are in agriculture, including training for higher education What role do you see the future leaders?

Roy: First of all, I Maker ere University, Kama Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, we strive universities, has a strong agricultural experience, I think.

I think that we are very well known for its programs in sustainable development is working with the University of Costa Rica, EARTH should be noted that beyond the African continent, and we have a very strong group of African students are studying there.

We are leaders in the agricultural sector, and the leaders on how to prepare the question - the answer really is very simple. They are going to have a wonderful experience in terms of high-quality education.

Part of a high-quality education provides students with the entrepreneurial opportunities - projects the ability to create and run a business. All this will add to their experience and knowledge base in the field of youth in their countries of Africa, other countries, will have some experience.

However, the main component of their education there are opportunities to develop leadership skills. This opportunity can be small or large. International locations to present their ideas - in order to present them at conferences, sometimes on campus leadership positions in clubs or student organizations, and other times it will be through the possibilities.

The development and presentation skills, critical thinking and team working skills as a critical opportunity to grow there. It is the foundation for future leadership.

UWN: What are the take-always of the summit on higher education?

Roy, on the board of a major take-away from showing us the way I'm leaving this conference is to inspire young people. Many of them are products of higher education.

Agriculture limitations in this case - - They have problems and challenges society's ability to recognize not only the show, but they also have the knowledge to create solutions that are already being implemented. I'm leaving for inspiration.

We have heard a lot of people in this conference, other promising aspect of the role of higher education of the future leaders, but also the future of innovation and solutions come in and [to] contribute, not to have to play.

I know that the last thing we are privileged to be able to work in this great continent, one of the reasons is its diversity. Secondly, I hope that a lot of what was going to see everywhere you go.

This is a real opportunity for us to learn as a foundation. We continent are higher education leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, seeing young people to learn.

It is sometimes very limited resources of the rich people who already operate their own ideas, a continent rich in ideas. They show what can be done, because they are true innovators.

I think we will work together with African organizations and African leaders, if we continue to be optimistic about what can be achieved.