African organizations win 2014 RISE Awards to support computer science education

From Official Google Africa Blog Fri Feb 7 2014, 14:12:00

"We need more kids falling in love with science and math." That's what Larry Page said at last year's I/O, and it's a feeling shared by all of us. We want to inspire young people around the world not just to use technology, but to create it. Unfortunately, many kids don't have access to either the education or encouragement they need to pursue computer science. So five years ago we created the Google RISE (Roots in Science and Engineering) Awards, which provide funding to organizations around the world that engage girls and underrepresented students in extracurricular computer science programs.

This year, the RISE Awards are providing $1.5 million to 42 organizations in 19 countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda. These organizations provide students with the resources they need to succeed in the field. For example, Africa ICT Right in Ghana is helping to address the need for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and training in underserved communities. Another awardee, Uganda-based Mbarara University of Science and Technology has been helping to bridge the gender gap by focusing on community outreach programs that encourage girls to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) courses. Visit our site for a full list of our RISE Award recipients.

Lagos-based Audax Solutions Ltd has been carrying out programs aimed at bridging the opportunity divide between African children and their age mates around the world. Click on the photo to learn more about this and other RISE Awardees.

This year, we're also expanding the program with the RISE Partnership Awards. These awards aim to encourage collaboration across organizations in pursuit of a shared goal of increasing global participation in computer science. For example, more than 5,000 girls in sub-Saharan Africa will learn computer science as a result of a partnership between the New York based program ELITE and the WAAW Foundation in Nigeria.

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