Calling on Zimbabwean University and Polytechnic Software developers

Are you an undergraduate university student, recent graduate or a student at Polytechnic?. Tsungirira Training academy is calling for innovative ideas in the form of web based, or mobile ICT systems addressing some of the country’s pressing needs. Submit your completed or nearly completed system which shows your creativity and innovation and stand a chance to win US$120 or US$75.

About Tsungirira Training Academy.

We are a Zimbabwean youth focused training institution also offering research and business development/analytics services. Because 70% of the country’s population comprises of young people under the age of 35, we believe in the power of the youth to transform the fortunes of our nation. While the youth are largely disenfranchised due to limited investments in what they do and can do, Tsungirira Training Academy seeks to change this narrative. With our large network of likeminded companies and organizations, we are currently mobilizing resources for youth empowerment. Our target is to have trained and capacity build (in terms of grant finance support) more than 100 youth led businesses by 2026.

About the opportunity.

Under the current call, Tsungirira Training academy is calling on young people who are into software development (Could be your final year project or something else) in the form or web (preferred) or desktop based applications or even mobile applications. The system needs to be based on a data management tool such as SQL and a programming Language such as Java or another. The system needs to have a primary objective of addressing one of the following:

• Linking smallholder rural farmers in Zimbabwe to markets.
• Web based databased management system which can be used to store NGO project beneficiaries (details) data and have modules to monitor project goals and also track budget utilization.
• GIS based system which can be used to track crop harvests or similar outcome.
• Data analytics/Business intelligence system for NGOs for project management or organizational management outcome of your choice.
• Data analytics/Business intelligence system for either a bank, a microfinance institution, or any financial services company.
• Data analytics system/Business intelligence for a departmental store/retail company etc.
• Any other system, which supports the attainment of Sustainable Development goals.

Software or apps utilizing database tools such as SQL will be highly prioritized. Dashboards can be based on Plotly Dash or any other system.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this exciting opportunity, you have to meet the following criteria:

• Be a young Zimbabwean (below 35 years of age) with a passion for ICT and development.
• Be innovative and with systems development capability to develop software outlined above.
• Be a university/polytechnic student, or recent graduate ( your degree/diploma is not more than 5 years old.
• You must write a one page (not more than 1.5 pages) document outlining your software in the following parts: Context/Challenges the software is addressing and how, Detailed overview of the system including modules, languages and any tools embedded therein. You must be precise and concise as much as possible.
• You must be willing to present your system to a panel of adjudicators at an advised date. The best 15 systems will be presented before the final 2 will be selected.

Prizes

• The best system will be awarded US$120. Tsungirira Training Academy reserves the right to increase this award based on our internal processes.
• The best system will be awarded US$75. Again, Tsungirira Training Academy reserves the right to increase this award.
• Winning entries will be supported, if they wish, to develop their ideas further by strengthening their business capacity, both trainings and financial support. Winners will also be presented in a local publication as the aim of the competition is to showcase local talent and contribute to the Government’s vision of promoting innovation.

Deadline.

Tsungirira Training Academy will be receiving entries for this competition until 2025 June 10^th. The winners will be announced on the 20^th of the same month on our website: https://tsungiriratrainingacademy.com/ . Winners will be notified before this date via email.

Submission of entries.

Interested participants are required to send their 1-1.5 page (PDF format) application outlined above to admin@tsungiriratrainingacademy.com by the deadline date above. Inquiries can be sent to the same email address before submission. We will be happy to engage.