A Nigerian student, Saviour Okusenogu, is among 10 winners of the recently concluded Microsoft Youthspark Challenge for Change competition. The Microsoft Youth Spark Challenge for Change is a contest that tasks young people from around the world to submit ideas that will address a social issue through technology in their communities.
17 year-old Saviour Okusenogu, who is currently studying to become an Electrical and Electronics Engineer, says he has always had a passion for Science and Technology, thanks to his early exposure to computers. Through his BISET Initiative (Become Inspired in Science and Engineering Technology), Okusenogu wants to develop a project to spark an interest in science and engineering for more kids in developing countries by bringing fun and interactive science experiments and other projects to secondary schools with hopes that they will get kids far more excited than the abstract, conceptual ways many kids learn about those topics now. With this win, Okusenogu is delighted to know that his initiative will get the exposure it deserves:
“It’s a very great opportunity for students like me, and for people who want to change their communities with science and technology,” he says.
Microsoft announced this year’s grand prize winners with compelling ideas representing youth from Chile, Ecuador, Greece, India, Nepal, Nigeria, United States, and Uruguay. Later this year, these winners will travel to the Nicaragua to learn about social entrepreneurship and development issues. Microsoft is also outfitting each winner with a $2,500 cash grant, and a Microsoft technology bundle (Surface Pro3, Windows Phone, and Office 365) to help them develop their projects further.
