LocationsThe Frontier Tech Leaders Programme Celebrates the Second Global Machine Learning Bootcamp Graduation
September 9, 2024
The second global cohort graduated 28 participants, including 8 women and 20 men, from 11 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) successfully completed the 3-months intensive Bootcamp.
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE, September 5, 2024 —The Frontier Tech Leaders (FTL) Programme celebrates the graduation of its second Global Machine Learning Bootcamp cohort. The virtual event, attended by esteemed guests, honored the achievements of the participants who have successfully completed the rigorous training and showcased their innovative capstone projects.
The second global cohort graduated 28 participants, including 8 women and 20 men, from 11 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) successfully completed the 3-months intensive Bootcamp.
Launched at the LDC5 conference by UNDP ICPSD, the UN Technology Bank (UNTB), and supported by the Government of Türkiye, the Frontier Tech Leaders (FTL) program tackles the digital divide in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It aims to inspire future tech experts by providing training in Python, Machine Learning, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Participants also get to connect with industry leaders and join community events.
The participants of this global cohort, who are from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), are studying at Turkish universities. Esteemed guests, including representatives from the Government of Türkiye and programme partners, came together to celebrate this momentous occasion.
Mr. Erhan Sırt, Head of the Multilateral Development Cooperation Department with the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of the Presidency of Türkiye, highlighted the impact of the Frontier Tech Leaders (FTL) program, saying, "The FTL program is a testament to our commitment to nurturing change-makers and future leaders, empowering emerging tech talents in LDCs."
Mr. Sahba Sobhani, Director of UNDP ICPSD, added, "ICPSD is deeply committed to fostering digital skills in vulnerable regions. Through this programme, we’ve provided young talents with the tools and opportunities to excel in the fast-evolving landscape of technology."
Mr. Deodat Maharaj, UNTB Managing Director, emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "This Bootcamp serves as a crucial step in empowering LDCs to leapfrog into the digital age, addressing key challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change through the power of technology and innovation."
Anita Razafindrakotovao, an FTL graduate from Madagascar, delivered a speech, saying "This program offered me the chance to create meaningful technological solutions for my country, Madagascar, where innovations in areas like governance, education, and healthcare are critically needed, resonated deeply with my personal aspirations."
Adding to this, Anita Razafindrakotovao, a graduate from Madagascar, delivered a heartfelt speech, saying, "This program offered me the perfect opportunity to deepen my Machine Learning (ML) skills while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. The chance to create meaningful technological solutions for my country, Madagascar, where innovations in areas like governance, education, and healthcare are critically needed, resonated deeply with my personal aspirations."
As part of the ceremony, the top four project groups presented their capstone projects, each addressing critical global development challenges, with solutions ranging from crop disease identification models and assessing soil liquefaction risk in seismic zones to visionary approaches for eliminating plastic waste and predictive modeling for sustainable development.
Certificates of completion were awarded to all graduates, with special recognition given to outstanding learners for their dedication and accomplishments. These graduates will continue their journey, with mentorship from global tech companies, academia, and startups. The top students will also have the opportunity to join the SDG AI Lab as Data Science Fellows.
Many graduates have already begun volunteering with local chapters in their home countries, contributing their newly acquired skills to foster technological innovation and development. The local chapters bring together individuals with a shared interest in technology, fostering collaboration, learning, and networking opportunities. The local chapter activities will include training, know-how transfer from the Programme participants to local communities, hackathons, and meet-ups. Their active involvement is helping to build local capacity and drive progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The third cohort of the Frontier Tech Leaders Global ML Bootcamp is already underway, with participants eagerly diving into advanced machine learning topics.
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