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Sri Lanka crowned runners-up at the 2022 Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championship

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4 years ago

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Team Nana Shilpa—among the top three in the world

Team Nana Shilpa—among the top three in the world—competed with tens of thousands of teams from over 160 countries at the 20th edition of Microsoft Imagine Cup

Seattle, USA: Microsoft recently announced that Team Nana Shilpa emerged as the runner-up following an intense finale against Team V Bionic and Team Melodic at the 2022 Imagine Cup World Championship in Seattle, Washington. The team from Sri Lanka won a cash prize of USD 10,000, and with this win Sri Lankan technology got recognized as one of the top three novel solutions at the global competition.

Microsoft Imagine Cup is designed to inspire students to use their imagination and passion for technology to create innovative solutions that tackle some of the world’s biggest social, environmental, and health challenges.

“Our Imagine Cup competition is a great example of the possibilities,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “For 20 years, students have shown us what’s possible when they come together to apply technology to help solve the world’s challenges.”

Team Nana Shilpa

Team Nana Shilpa emerged as one of the top three to advance to the World Championship out of the tens of thousands of students from over 160 countries who registered for the 2022 Imagine Cup. Last week, the team had the opportunity to showcase their original tech innovation to judges through a 3-minute pitch and a question-and-answer session. The team flew out to Seattle from Colombo for the last leg of the competition.

The team—comprising Kalpani Abeysinghe, Chamil Diluksha, Maheshani Makalanda, and Prabath Shalitha from Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) in Malabe—came up with Nana Shilpa, an application that screens and provides guidance for addressing reading, writing, and math learning disabilities in the Sinhala language. The team announced that the app would support different languages and cultures in a bid to help young children across the world.

Nana Shilpa helps to eliminate the delay in learning disability discovery using localized languages.

Many children with learning disorders struggle in school long before being diagnosed. A learning disorder is an information-processing problem that prevents a person from learning a skill and using it effectively. As a result, the disorder appears as a gap between expected skills, based on age and intelligence, and academic performance. “We live in a world where technology can address various problems. Nana Shilpa helps to eliminate the delay in learning disability discovery using localized languages. It captures input from a mobile device and processes it using advanced machine learning and computer vision algorithms. If a child is diagnosed positive for a learning disability, the app then provides curated activities to mitigate the condition,” Kalpani discloses.

Team Nana Shilpa
Team Nana Shilpa presenting to the judges during the 2022 Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championship in Seattle on May 24, 2022.

“The screening AI models are trained using thousands of data points collected from children with learning disabilities,” says Kalpani. “The professional screening process to identify learning disabilities can cost between 400 and 2,000 dollars. With Nana Shilpa, we can cut that to just 60 dollars. We are on a mission to help every kid in the world to read and write.” 

Technical architecture of the Nana Shilpa mobile app
Technical architecture of the Nana Shilpa mobile app


This year’s championship was won by the Team V Bionic from Saudi Arabia and Germany. The team developed a modular exoskeletal hand rehabilitation device called ExoHeal that utilizes neuroplasticity and Azure technology to provide adaptive and gamified rehabilitation exercises to people with hand paralysis.

“Microsoft’s Imagine Cup competition not only challenges students to utilize technology creatively to make a difference in the world, but also provides the opportunity to connect, engage, and learn from a community of like-minded young innovators,” said Harsha Randeny, Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives. “We’re glad to see students from Sri Lanka showcase their unique solutions that have the potential to create lasting impact. Congratulations, Nana Shilpa.”

Team Nana Shilpa

Watch the highlights of the 2022 Imagine Cup World Championship here. For more information about Imagine Cup, please visit https://www.imaginecup.com/.

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Canon and SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal Join Forces to Empower the Next Generation Through Miraisha

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2 days ago

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May 7, 2026

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Canon

Creative skills, mentorship, and hands-on workshops unlock new opportunities for vulnerable youth

DAKAR, Senegal, May 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com), a global leader in imaging solutions, has forged a strategic partnership with SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal, a non-governmental organisation supporting vulnerable youth, to expand its flagship Miraisha skills development initiative. This collaboration underscores Canon’s commitment to sustainable youth empowerment and meaningful social impact, with Senegal identified as a key strategic focus market for 2026.

 

Expanding Canon’s African Footprint

Miraisha’s expansion in Senegal builds on Canon’s decade-long commitment to blending innovation with tangible community impact across Africa. Through this initiative, vulnerable youth and NGO staff gain access to hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world platforms that nurture creative expression and strengthen skills in photography, videography, and visual storytelling. Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central and North Africa, said, “Across Africa, young people are creative, resourceful, and driven to share their own stories. Our responsibility is to equip them with the tools, skills and confidence to transform that potential into sustainable livelihoods. Turn those talents into livelihoods Senegal is a key market for us, and this partnership reinforces our long-term commitment to advancing youth employability while empowering organisations to amplify their impact through compelling visual storytelling.”

 

Miraisha in Motion: Youth Creativity Meets Opportunity

Rooted in Canon’s philosophy of Kyosei, living and working together for the common good. The Miraisha initiative equips young people aged 18–35 with practical training in photography, videography, and digital storytelling. By combining technical expertise, mentorship, and real-world experience, the programme transforms creative potential into tangible career pathways and sustainable opportunities. This partnership serves as a natural extension of the mission of SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal. Since the mid-1970s, the NGO has supported children and youth with care, education, and community support across eight regions, emphasising the importance of developing employable and creative skills for resilience and independence.

 

Programme Highlights

This partnership empowers vulnerable youth by giving them more than just technical skills – it gives them confidence and a voice

Designed to deliver measurable long – term impact, the partnership provides targeted training and mentorship for youth and NGO staff. SOS communications teams will participate in an intensive three-day workshop focused on advocacy-driven photography and videography, strengthening their ability to communicate impact through powerful visuals. Youth workshops in Dakar and Kaolack will host 20–25 participants at each site, by the end of the training two chosen students will go on to receive a three-month mentorship with a dedicated Canon trainer to further enhance their skills.  To ensure sustainability, photography clubs across SOS Children’s Villages sites will be established to encourage peer learning, creative collaboration, and continuous skills development.

“This partnership empowers vulnerable youth by giving them more than just technical skills – it gives them confidence and a voice,” said Papa Daouda Diop, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Senegal. “Visual storytelling is crucial for our advocacy and fundraising, helping us share the realities our children face and the progress they make. Beyond stronger communications, these skills open new opportunities for employment and independence.”

Building on Proven Success Across Africa

The expansion of Miraisha in Senegal builds on a decade of transformative impact across Africa, where the programme has equipped thousands of young people in photography, videography, and digital storytelling. In Kenya, workshops at KCA University have enabled students to transition into freelance careers and creative entrepreneurship. In Nigeria, street photography sessions in Lagos enabled participants to build professional portfolios that led to paid assignments. In Morocco, collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages strengthened NGO communication channels while opening freelance opportunities for youth. These success stories demonstrate how Miraisha consistently translates creative skills into livelihoods and stronger community communications. Collectively, these success stories highlight Miraisha’s consistent ability to convert creative talent into sustainable livelihoods while strengthening how communities and organisations share their stories.

 

Senegal: A Strategic Focus Market

With over half its population under 25, Senegal faces both promise and challenge. Only 48.2% of youth participate in the labour market, compared to 69% of adults, reflecting persistent barriers to employment and limited access to practical training and skills in the creative industries. NGOs and community groups also require stronger communication tools to advocate and engage donors. Canon’s investment in Senegal directly responds to these interconnected needs, reinforcing the country’s strategic importance as a priority market for its social impact initiatives in 2026.

 

Looking Ahead

Canon’s partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Senegal underlines its ongoing investment in the country’s youth and creative industries. As Miraisha grows in West Africa, Canon aims to serve as a driver of community skills and empowerment. By enabling young people to tell their own stories through visual storytelling, the company is helping unlock pathways to economic opportunity while advancing meaningful social impact across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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Powering Africa’s Future: THE Africa Universities Summit 2026 to Ignite Innovation, Talent and Inclusion

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2 months ago

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March 9, 2026

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Africa Universities Summit

The summit will bring together leaders from universities, business, and civil society for dynamic discussions, hands-on workshops, and visionary keynotes

Highly recommended for anyone eager to engage with cutting-edge ideas and a passionate community

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 9, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa’s youth, representing over 400 million voices, are driving the continent’s ambition for growth, innovation, and sustainable development. The THE Africa Universities Summit 2026 (www.TimesHigherEd-events.com) will convene in Nairobi on 30-31 March to explore how higher education can unlock human capital, fuel entrepreneurial success, and promote inclusive growth across the continent.

 

The summit will bring together leaders from universities, business, and civil society for dynamic discussions, hands-on workshops, and visionary keynotes, focusing on four critical themes:

  • Addressing world challenges: Uniting global and local collaborations to tackle pressing challenges, harnessing research and innovation for sustainable solutions.
  • Innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups: Empowering entrepreneurial mindsets, strengthening start-up ecosystems and driving digital innovation.
  • Work readiness and skills development: Preparing future-ready graduates through employer partnerships, innovative curricula and tailored support.
  • EDI and gender equality in higher education: Championing inclusion and gender equality to create institutions that reflect Africa’s diverse societies.

The summit will feature over 60+ speakers from across Africa and beyond, including:

  • Chérifa Abdelbaki, UNESCO Chairholder, University of Tlemcen
  • Letlhokwa Mpedi, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Johannesburg
  • Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-Chancellor, Makerere University
  • Caroline Nyaga, Founder & CEO, Women in STEAM Initiative
  • Tonny Omwansa, CEO, Kenya National Innovation Agency
  • Anicia Peters, CEO, National Commission on Research, Science and Technology

Attendees can expect 30+ hours of content, 9+ hours of networking and opportunities to engage with over 350 participants from more than 150 organisations and universities.

Last year’s summit in Rwanda highlighted the power of collaboration, inspiring actionable strategies for innovation, workforce development and equity in higher education.

Leonard Musyoka, Registrar and Chief-of-Staff at the University of Nairobi, reflected on the 2025 summit: “Attending THE Africa Universities Summit was an intellectually enriching experience! The topics were timely, thought-provoking and expertly curated, sparking meaningful conversations in the African higher education sector. Highly recommended for anyone eager to engage with cutting-edge ideas and a passionate community!”

With less than a month to go, tickets are selling fast. Join us in Nairobi to shape Africa’s higher education future, connect with thought leaders and explore new opportunities to advance talent, innovation and inclusion.

For more information and to register, visit https://apo-opa.co/4biKl8F.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Times Higher Education.

 

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“Study in Hong Kong” Week spotlights city’s competitive higher education sector

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2 months ago

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March 5, 2026

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Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – The inaugural “Study in Hong Kong” Week (February 23 to March 1) was successfully launched to promote the city’s attractiveness as a destination for students around the world to pursue higher education.

A major highlight was the prestigious Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, which ranks among the world’s top three international higher education conferences. The event attracted over 3,500 leading international education professionals to explore the latest trends and critical issues in higher education.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of APAIE 2026, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s Secretary for Education, Dr Christine Choi said, “To further promote higher education in Hong Kong to the world, we are dedicating this week as the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ Week, during which we will share our success stories and connect more closely with partners worldwide.”

“Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the distinctive advantages of being part of China with strong support from our Motherland and at the same time being centrally located in Asia.

“Our universities are globally recognised, with five of them within the world’s top 100 and Asia’s top 20. Hong Kong claimed all top four spots in the ranking of the world’s most international universities last year. Indeed, one in every four of our students come from outside Hong Kong. The proportion is even higher for academic staff, with around 70 per cent from elsewhere.”

Held under the theme “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”, APAIE 2026 featured pre-conference workshops, summit forums, keynote speeches, and exchange activities.

Dr Choi met with education officials and representatives from various regions on international education development trends and co-operation. She held separate meetings with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, Mr Róbert Zsembera, and the Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, Dr Nguyen Thu Thuy, to exchange views on the development, co-operation, and promotion of international higher education.

Dr Choi also toured the “Study in Hong Kong” Pavilion, where she learned about the promotional efforts of University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities and how they expand international networks to recruit students from various regions for study and exchange in Hong Kong. She also visited other booths at the exhibition, exchanging views on higher education development with representatives from various countries and regions.

Dr Choi noted that Hong Kong, as Asia’s world city, possesses advantages in global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and rich cultural experiences that attract outstanding talent.

During the Week, UGC-funded universities hosted campus tours, allowing overseas guests to experience first-hand the fusion of diverse cultures from different regions. Universities also organised student exchange activities to foster friendships among international students from different regions, deepen their understanding of Hong Kong, and help them better integrate into local campus life.

 

“While Hong Kong is highly popular among students from the Chinese Mainland, those from other parts of the world, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Belt and Road countries or regions, have increased significantly in recent years,” Dr Choi said.

“As we welcome more non-local students to our schools and universities, we hope Hong Kong can serve as a springboard for them to engage with the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asia-Pacific, and as a pathway to widen collaborations across this vibrant region.”

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