With a PhD in Software Engieneering, 28 year old Arielle Kitio Tsamo has revolutionized the tech industry in Cameroon through her startup Cameroon Youth School Tech Incubator CAYSTI. To the ambitious Cameroon, technology has no colour or gender. The Next Ensteine Forum Ambassador also believes that digital inclusion can only be a reality if children get into the tech sector at a young age. This explains why CAYSTI offer tech training to children between 10 to 19 years.
“With CAYSTI, we want to share our passion for new technologies with teenagers so that they can use them to find solutions to our society’s problems”, she says. “At CAYSTI we focus on the user rather than the technology. Our curriculum is customised and in line with the student’s requirements. The aim is to know what each child likes and doesn’t like.”
The company currently has four main activities:
Coding Training
Via regular and customised practical training based on a critical-thinking and problem-solving approach, CAYSTI provides its students with real skills in creative programming, robotics and project management.
AI – Challenge
This is a tripartite creativity activity during which children aged from 8 to 15, their families and education officials demystify technological concepts and learn to use Artificial Intelligence tools to solve actual problems.
Orientation and mentoring
With a personalised mentoring system supported by virtual reality tools, CAYSTI creates opportunities, positive attitudes and leadership attitudes that allow its students to engage and excel in science and technology professions and stand out in local and international competitions.
The company’s main product, the one it is best known for, is its abcCode (the Art of Boosting Creativity). It is the very first ‘vernacular’ language programming environment. It’s a fun and intuitive coding software package based on a student-centric customised learning programme that develops creativity and provides children with an easy initiation to creative programming. Any child who has a computer at home can use it.
Her vision however is not void of challenges. The mindset of the children, parents who do not understand their company’s approach and the educational system which does not always see the point of having a curriculum tailored to the child. However, after two years they are beginning to grasp the immense opportunities new technologies can offer for our continent’s socio-economic development. Kitio Tsamo thinks she is fueled by these challenges.
To her there are five key principles to stay afloat even when the boat is rocked by deadly waves. People, Perseverance, Passion, Positivity and Sharing are her golden keys. She plans to empower 100.000 people by the end of 2020 through her platform. H