Recently, study in India Fair was conducted to promote the Indian higher education system to African educational institutions. The event occurred at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, from 22-25th November 2022. This UNESCO-India-Africa (UIA) Study in India Education Fair was organized by the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India, and UNESCO.
IIT Roorkee was represented by MS Puja Bharti from the International Relations office and two international student volunteers, Mr Rama Robert and Bahar Adem Beker. Also, Mr Tanuj Dani, on behalf of TIDES, IIT Roorkee, and two of the start-ups of Tides: Mufaddal Kapasi and Aniketh Mohan Das from Powerzest, while Mridul Das from Fermentech Labs Private Limited, were present in the Hackathon event.
The main aim of this event was to attend the education fair, network with potential students, and establish new partnerships with African universities and government organizations.
A massive event with participation from 23 countries (22 from Africa and India) and 600+ students (340+ from Africa). There were 100 teams, 20 problem statements, and five themes, and 150+ evaluators and mentors came together to hack a technical solution in a non-stop 36-hour window to solve some significant challenges in agriculture, education, water/sanitation, energy, health/hygiene, and other areas on the basic theme of LIFE.
The UIA Hackathon was a groundbreaking initiative where the brightest young minds from 22 countries in Africa (which includes Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Malawi, etc.); worked with talent in India to conceptualize cutting-edge technology-based solutions for the complex problems these nations face. More than 340 students participated in this programme, and 60 officials from different African countries travelled to India to participate in this event.
Many African Students participated in the event and visited IIT Roorkee Educational Stall. Many students were highly motivated and interested in pursuing their higher studies at IIT Roorkee; thus, necessary and relevant guidance was provided to them. Given the event’s size, scope, and stakeholder profile, it proved to be a fantastic chance to promote Indian Higher Education and Premier Indian Institutes abroad. IIT Roorkee attracted large groups of ecstatic African students to its stall.
