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About The DAIA Summit

Welcome to the Summit - Building Industry-Education Partnerships for Transformational Growth in Africa

DAIA fosters collaboration between Africa and Finland, delivering cutting-edge digital skills and education for a brighter tomorrow.
The DAIA Summit offers a unique opportunity to connect with global experts, educators, and innovators who are shaping the future of education in Africa. Discover how cutting-edge digital solutions are being harnessed to create sustainable, scalable educational platforms that drive economic growth and social progress. Be part of the conversation and contribute to a transformative initiative that is redefining the landscape of education on the continent.

Don't miss this chance to engage with thought leaders, share insights, and explore new collaborations that will make a lasting impact on Africa's educational ecosystem.
Where Future Africa Campus, UP
When 23 October 2024
DAIA

Purpose and Values

DAIA Summit is based on the United Nations 2030 Agenda: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnerships

DAIA 1.0 (Digital Academies in Africa) is a pioneering initiative led by Finland’s governmental innovation funder Business Finland, Finnish technology companies, and the University of Helsinki. This initiative is not just a project but a comprehensive movement designed for Africa. Its primary goal is to co-create innovations with African industry and education partners, aligning closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). DAIA focuses on enhancing societal welfare and fostering economic growth by bridging the digital divide across the continent.

By collaborating with a diverse coalition of global and African stakeholders—including governments, technology firms, NGOs, educational institutions, and industry associations—DAIA addresses digital inequality and provides critical educational resources. The initiative equips individuals with skills necessary for the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, supporting sustainable development.

DAIA’s alignment with the SDGs is evident in its commitment to quality education, economic growth, and technological advancement. The initiative promotes inclusive and sustainable development, contributing to Africa’s evolving digital landscape and ensuring that the continent benefits from global technological advancements. This approach highlights DAIA’s dedication to creating a prosperous and equitable future for Africa.

Objectives

DAIA

Purpose and Values

Skill Development: DAIA offers training to build digital skills for the future workforce.
Innovation Education: DAIA fosters creativity and tech innovation through educational partnerships.
Economic Empowerment: DAIA promotes entrepreneurship and digital skills to drive economic growth.
Digital Inclusion: DAIA enhances access to technology and digital education across Africa.
Transformational Leadership: DAIA develops leaders to spearhead digital transformation in key sectors

Water management is a critical area for sustainable development, especially in Africa where water scarcity is a pressing issue. The DAIA initiative focuses on improving water systems through digital innovation and technology-driven solutions.

Alignment with SDGs:

  • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – DAIA supports efforts to ensure access to safe and affordable drinking water for all, improve water quality by reducing pollution, and increase water-use efficiency through digital monitoring systems.
  • SDG 13: Climate Action – By promoting efficient water usage and smart irrigation technologies, DAIA helps communities adapt to climate-related impacts, especially droughts and water shortages, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Innovation in water technology, such as smart sensors and monitoring systems, contributes to building resilient infrastructure that ensures sustainable water management for industries, agriculture, and households.

Mining plays a major role in many African economies, yet it also brings environmental and social challenges. DAIA aims to transform this sector by integrating technologies that promote sustainable mining practices, reduce environmental impact, and enhance worker safety.

Alignment with SDGs:

  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – By adopting modern technologies, DAIA encourages safer working environments, greater efficiency, and economic growth in the mining industry, ensuring decent work conditions while driving economic progress.
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting responsible mining practices, DAIA ensures that resources are extracted sustainably and that waste is minimized through the use of digital tools like real-time monitoring systems.
  • SDG 15: Life on Land – Through technological innovation, the initiative aims to reduce the environmental footprint of mining activities, preserving ecosystems and reducing land degradation caused by unsustainable mining practices.

The construction sector is integral to infrastructure development and urbanization across Africa. DAIA works to embed digital tools and innovations into construction practices to promote efficiency, sustainability, and long-term resilience.

Alignment with SDGs:

  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – By using digital platforms for project management, smart building materials, and automated construction processes, DAIA helps create resilient and sustainable infrastructure that supports inclusive industrialization.
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Smart construction technologies enable the development of sustainable housing, energy-efficient buildings, and climate-resilient infrastructure, contributing to the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Green building designs that incorporate renewable energy technologies help reduce energy consumption, promoting the use of clean energy in both urban and rural infrastructure projects.

DAIA’s focus on education and training is designed to bridge the digital skills gap, preparing African students and professionals for the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions. This is key to driving economic empowerment and societal transformation.

Alignment with SDGs:

  • SDG 4: Quality Education – DAIA promotes inclusive, equitable quality education by providing digital tools, online learning platforms, and vocational training tailored to the needs of African students and workers. This helps create a workforce ready for the demands of a digital economy.
  • SDG 5: Gender Equality – The initiative emphasizes the inclusion of women and girls in digital education and technology training, helping to close the gender gap in STEM fields and ensuring equal opportunities in education.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequality – Through access to digital education resources, DAIA helps reduce inequalities by ensuring that even the most marginalized communities have access to learning opportunities that can improve their economic prospects.
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – By aligning education with industry needs, DAIA ensures that training programs produce job-ready graduates, contributing to sustained economic growth and employment opportunities. 
PARTNERS

Our Pillars of Support and Innovation

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Explore the Programme, Partners, and Register Today!

DAIA INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Empowering Africa's Digital Future

Mitesh Chotu

Chief Executive Officer

Mika Jantunen

Chief Executive Officer

Daryl McLean

Chief Executive Officer
Summit Program

Where thought leaders, innovators, and educators come together to explore the future of digital education in Africa

  • DAIA Summit October 23, 2024
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08:00 AM -- 09:00 AM

Registration on the conference desk

Visit the registration desk to check in, collect your conference materials, and get all the information you need for the event.
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09:00 AM -- 09:45 AM
Chair Prof. Hannele Niemi

Opening Ceremony

DAIA welcome speech - the Mission for Future Learning in Africa Welcome speech Vice Chancellor, University of Pretoria (TBC) Opening remarks from SA Minister of Higher Education and Training, Hon. Dr. Pamela Nkabane, Video address of Minister Anders Adlercreutz, the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finland Greetings from the Embassy of Finland Sponsors or Co-sponsors, Maximum Group – coming to the stage with thanks
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10:45 AM -- 11:30 AM

Coffee Break and Exhibition Stands

Coffee Break and Exhibition Stands
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11:45 AM -- 12:30 PM

Panel Discussion

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12:30 PM -- 02:00 PM

Lunch and Stands

Coffee Break and Exhibition Stands
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02:00 PM -- 03:30 PM

Co-creating Future Skills with DAIA Joint Presentations of Finnish researchers and companies

Introduction to DAIA Project / Hannele Niemi, 5 min

  • Frontier technologies (20 min)
    • VLL Concept/demo / Intolead, Meshworks Wireless, EduExcellence/Metropolia
    • Lightning demos, examples of AI, VR, AR as enablers for effective learning (AI-based videos, AI and content creation etc.) / Intolead & co.
  • TVET Renewal (20 min)
    • The big picture: Finnish system in a nutshell: ensuring the employability with work integrated learning (Vocational education, University of Applied Sciences, University etc.) / Hannele Niemi (3-4 min)
    • Metropolia & applying the Living Lab concept & Westcol Case / Jorma Säteri (5-6 min)
    • Short video from TUT Researchers (max 5 min)
  • Transformational leadership and training (25 min)
    • Deep Lead + research insights / Vesa Nissinen, Tommi Kinnunen, Niko Leppänen & Lauri Ahonen
    • Needs for training transformations in mining (Sandvik)
  • Conclusion & comments from the audience / Hannele Niemi, 20 min
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03:40 PM -- 05:00 PM

Parallel Session Tracks

Effective Training for Future Demands (Parallel Session)

Chair: Petri Home (IntoLead)

  • Content planned around the four main themes:
    • Future Learning
    • Frontier Technologies
    • TVET Renewal
    • Transformational Leadership and Support to Trainers

    Possibly with a cross-sectoral approach.

  • 5 min Opening and Introduction to the Parallel Session
    • Includes 5-7 minutes of interactive elements (quick gallups with e.g. Flinga).
  • Cases (30 min)
    • Future of Learning – Insights of Frontier Technology with Global Perspectives (Dr Jenny Niu, 5-7 minutes):
      • Competencies needed in work and life.
    • Effective Training and Authentic Learning: Theory and practice integrated, problem-solving – Living Lab in practice
      • TUT researchers’ photos of the living labs + Jorma S., 7 minutes
      • One demo (other than in the plenary).
    • TVET in Transition: Challenges and solutions
      • Developing TVET in South Africa for future competencies – Co-creation of industrial and education partners (Dr. Terence Yuh & Dr Tapio Rasa), 7 minutes.
    • Co-creation a Change: Training and mentoring of trainers and instructors (7 min).
    • Digital Learning for South African Secondary Schools: Cases of mentoring teachers in different school settings (Ari Myllyviita, University of Helsinki and researchers of the University of Johannesburg).
    • Co-creation for Effective Training for the Mining Industry:
      • Finnish and South African partnership – Presentation by Dr Tapio Rasa and doctoral researcher Miikka Turkkila.
  • Small-group Discussions (30 min)
    • Possibly arranged according to the 4 main themes (method: Open Café).
    • Each theme has a facilitator and a note taker from DAIA.
    • Participants can tour the room and/or join the themed groups at will.
  • Summary by Facilitators (10 min)
    • Insights from the groups and conclusion.
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05:00 PM -- 05:30 PM

Summary of the Summit and Conclusions

A comprehensive overview of the summit's key discussions, insights, and outcomes, highlighting actionable conclusions and future directions for continued progress.
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05:30 PM -- 07:00 PM

Social Evening

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