TechHer, a community of learning, support, and collaboration for women in technology extended a hand of fellowship to Abuja Technology Village (ATV) via a courtesy call paid to its MD Ms. Hauwa Yabani on Thursday the 8th of December 2016.
Received by the MD and ATV's Business Development Manager Ibrahim Bashir, the delegation from TechHer told the story of the growing community, its vision, and goals, highlighting successes recorded and plans for the coming year. Specifically, TechHer's Continuous Learning and Development Programme (CLDP), several research strands, and the Mothers and Daughters Outreach were presented as potential projects for co-ownership. MD Hauwa Yabani said of the proposed partnership, "TechHer and ATV perfectly align on the creation of a viable platform to encourage women and girls into STEM and then attract them to the ATV."
Mr. Bashir took the team on an extended presentation of the vision for the Abuja Technology Village, changes that have been made to the original development plans, and the sheer enormity of the project designed to be Africa's leading technology and innovation district. The eco-friendly village designed to function without any generating sets will house about 40,000 people and see another 100,000 use the various facilities on-site. Construction is on schedule and will see the first set of structures completed in 2019.
Hauwa Yabani, MD of ATV shared her passion and excitement at the responsibility of leading the team, and about Women Innovation Hub (Winnohub); a specialist conducive atmosphere for women (single, married, employed or not) to congregate and innovate.
Speaking of Enspire Incubator which housed TechHer in its first few months of existence, the MD said, "Enspire was born out of the thought that the heartbeat of any science park is a functional incubator, and fits into our goals of attracting foreign Direct Investment, building local capacity, and encouraging STEM education".
The meeting ended with an agreement to sign a draft MOU containing short and long term goals forthwith, and the presentation of branded TechHer items to management.
Chioma Agwuegbo led TechHer's delegation which also had Programme Officer Onyejekwulum Adii and Researcher Lara Raji.
Marlise Montcho, hails from Benin. She is a telecoms engineer and an inspirational leader who is passionate about technology, social change, and entrepreneurship. Marlise has a certification in business and entrepreneurship from University of Texas, Austin. Here’s more on her educational background:
Marlise has a Bachelor’s Degree in Analysis and Policy Development from Faculté des Sciences Economiques et de Gestion.
In 2012, she bagged a Degree as a Telecommunication Engineer.
Marlise is an active member of Junior Chamber International Network. She has been named as one of the fifteen Africa's women tech leaders in 2015 and one of the 100 visioning women to watch in 2016.
She is the founder and president of an NGO called FemTICDEV. She also runs a blog called www.handinewlook.net.
She is the deputy chair of the Committee on Technology of Africa Youth Movement and the regional ambassador of GlobalTechLeaders and AfricaITWomen.
Marlise has received several awards and Honours such as:
Why TechHer Loves Her:
She is a role model to girls and women in Benin Republic. Marlise mentors women in technology where one of the benefactors of the initiative recently won a blogging award in Benin. We love to see women helping other women grow using technology as a tool.
