Oracle Academy, in collaboration with Oracle Women’s Leadership (OWL) and Oracle Social Impact in Kenya, launched a transformative program aimed at empowering 100 female students on October 16, 2024, at Zetech University Technology Park, Mang’u, Kenya. This initiative is designed to equip these young women with mentorship, soft skills, technical workshops, and networking opportunities to help them excel in technology career pathways over a three-month period.
The program focuses on closing the gender gap in technology by providing participants with essential tools to succeed, including:
· Mentorship: Connecting participants with Oracle Kenya industry professionals for hybrid training, guidance and support.
· Soft Skills Training: Building communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills to complement their technical knowledge.
· Technical Workshops: Offering hands-on experiences in Oracle Cloud, Oracle APEX, AI/ML, and other key technical skills.
· Networking Opportunities: Creating opportunities for students to meet industry professionals and peers, building strong professional relationships.
This program is not only about skill development but also about inspiring the next generation of female leaders in technology and laying the foundation for their future careers.
Janet Kamau, Africa Marketing Director, Co-Chair of Oracle Women Leadership, and Oracle Social Impact Leader, was the event chief guest. In a powerful and motivating address, she encouraged the young women to embrace boldness and dream big. She highlighted the importance of seeking role models and mentors, stating, “The experiences we have shape us. Look for people and things that motivate you at different stages of your life.”
She emphasized resilience and courage in pursuing goals, reminding the participants, “You must be daring. Even rejection builds resilience. Don’t underestimate your worth—someone else is seeing your potential. Earn your path to achievement, and remember, if your life was a book, what would the title of your book be?”
With this empowering message, Janet inspired the young women to reflect on their defining moments and to collaborate with others as they pursue their STEM journeys. “Write down the defining moments of your life because they will propel
you forward,” she added, reinforcing the idea that every experience, whether positive or challenging, contributes to growth.
Through this program, Oracle Academy, OWL, and Oracle Kenya volunteers are committed to making a lasting impact by empowering young women to thrive in technology fields and chart bold, innovative career paths.
Driven by Oracle’s leadership in cloud development and emerging technologies, Oracle Academy offers free teaching and learning resources to enhance computing and technology education designed to inspire and prepare students for the future of tech. These resources include curriculum, learning tools, access to Oracle Cloud technologies, Oracle APEX, a wide variety of software, support services, professional development, and certification resources.
“Our collaboration with Oracle marks a significant step in empowering our young female students at Zetech University and the community at large. By integrating Oracle Academy’s technology and resources into our programs, we are providing our students with the tools and skills they need to excel in technology fields. This collaboration not only opens doors for learning and earning globally recognized certifications but also inspires our students to dream big and lead boldly in the tech world,” said Esther Mwangi, Director of Research and Innovations, Zetech University.