Microsoft Africa Development Center (ADC) announces the commencement of its game of learners program for Developers. The Microsoft Africa Development Center (ADC) is a representation of Microsoft’s first-ever engineering offices in Africa, with locations in Nairobi, Kenya, and Lagos, Nigeria. The game of learners program is a 3-month intensive training program for students in the university and beginner developers across West Africa. The program commences in this month of October 2021 and will provide participants a chance to level up on .Net, JavaScript, Git, Azure, Software Design, and Program Manager Fundamentals.
The 11 weeks have been divided into 2 parts, the first part will commence with a development path. A part where participants will learn virtually under specialized coaching and training on required skills and experience to cultivate a learner-led developer community. In the second core part of the program, participants will learn about Product Requirement Documentation, Project Management 101, and Prioritization Framework
This program comes with the aim of exposing participants to opportunities in STEM, and empower participants to develop impactful skills to match up with jobs for the 21st-century. The learner’s clinic is set to hold this year’s game of learners program for enthusiastic Developers. Speaking at the Game of Learners Clinic, Gafar Lawal, Managing Director, Microsoft ADC – West Africa says, “At Microsoft ADC, we recognize the creativity, innovation, and passion driving productivity in Africa’s technology landscape, and Game of learners present a unique opportunity to be a strong driver of this community.”
Mr. Lawal further explains that the “vision of Game of Learners is to create a platform where young developers and any other interested participants can build long-lasting solutions to challenges using technology.” Lawal added “Looking beyond engineering, our focus is to begin to harness other skills that are invaluable in solving not only the problems of today but also those of the future. With this program, we are empowering young developers in Africa to achieve so much more.”
The managing director of Microsoft ADC disclosed that this year over 1,000 applications were received and only 100 applicants across West Africa were adopted for the Game of Learners Clinic which commenced on the 5th of October. Mr. Lawal further disclosed that with regards to the number of applications received “this reiterates the need for more of such a program among young developers and students.” He added that the Microsoft ADC’s has reached a resolution to increase the number of enrollees for subsequent Game of Learner’s Clinics, he believes this will go a long way to equip more young developers and bridge the deficit in skills gap with more hands with the comprehensive knowledge.
The learner’s program is a free program with a virtual atmosphere where students can go in, gain comprehensive knowledge on computer science technologies and practices while building impactful solutions for their various communities. The program is supported by volunteers from Microsoft and participating gives room to a wide range of coaches, mentors, judges, speakers, and trainers within the Microsoft community. Mr. Lawal ends by saying “Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more”.