In this interview Dr. Remi Kayode founder and Chief Executive Director, Young Persons in IT speaks to YEMISI IZUORA on the impact the institution has made in addressing IT gap among young Nigerian women.
Excerpt
What inspired you to start this school, what are the aims and objectives and what do you intend to achieve with this school?
I am Dr Remi Kayode, the Founder/Executive director of Young Persons in IT but currently working on the YWIIT arm of this NGO. YWiIT stands for Young women in Information Technology and we are working to bridge the gap in the IT world by empowering our future women.
Figures show that fewer women are studying technology-based subjects at school and university meaning employers have fewer women to choose from when recruiting. Starting, the Young Women in IT (YWIIT) school was driven by a deep desire to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry. The inspiration came from witnessing talented women facing systemic barriers and wanting to create a space where they could thrive. So, the aim is to increase the representation and inclusivity of women in the tech sphere and the best way to get them is to catch them young.
Our aims and objectives are in 4 folds: Empowerment: Equip young women with the skills and confidence to excel in IT.
Education: Provide top-notch education in tech, fostering innovation and creativity.
Networking: Build a strong community of female tech professionals who support and mentor each other.
Opportunities: Connect students with internships, job placements, and career advancement opportunities.
YWiIt intends to increase representation- with more women in the tech leadership and cultivate a generation of women who are leaders and not just participants. YWIIT school also intends to create a ripple effect, inspiring future generations and making the tech world more inclusive and dynamic.
Can we say it’s part of your CSR since it’s free? Can we call it a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) ?
If yes where does the funding come from donors local or international donors.
Yes, (YWiIT ) Young women in IT is an NGO. Funding currently comes from friends and family.
But we are seeking funding and support from other well-wishers and all those interested in our cause. We hope that organisations and companies will be willing to support us so that we can realise the dream for YWiIT.
What is your dream about this school?
We, the board of directors have big dreams for YWiIT. We hope that YWIIT will become a global network where young women, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to quality IT education and mentorship, where YWIIT graduates will be leading groundbreaking projects, launching startups, and driving technological innovation.
The dream is to see YWIIT alumni (which has recently been inaugurated) actively contribute to a more inclusive and diverse tech industry, breaking glass ceilings, and inspiring the next generation of female tech leaders. The ultimate goal is for YWIIT to be synonymous with excellence in tech education, empowerment, and gender equality.
The dream is big but as Christians, we do not despise the days of small beginnings.
Do you send your students for industrial placements before or after graduation?
The intention has always been and still is to send them on placements on internships but unfortunately, we have not been able to get companies and businesses that are local to provide the girls with such opportunities. However, our Keynote speaker at the graduation- Mr Emmanuel Akpan of Resilience 17 was so impressed with the YWiIT initiative and has promised to collaborate with us and provide internship opportunities for some of our girls.
How long is this training for three months six months one year?
The training started off being a one-year programme but after the first year, after taking on the feedback from parents and students and their trainers, the Board agreed that the training be reduced to 12 weeks which is 3 months. That’s really because the girls that we take on board are young and are mostly in school, so the a need for them to be able to balance their time.
Is this the first graduation?
No, this is the second graduation we had the first one in 2022 for the first set of people who were trained in YWiIT. Unfortunately, we were unable to have a graduation ceremony last year for some reasons beyond our control. That is why today (12/10), we included those who finished their training last year to this year’s graduates.