Microelectronics & Entrepreneurship School

Overview

Technology will continue to redesign modern commerce and industry. And microelectronics directly or indirectly through its speed, efficiency and capacity will transform people, processes and tools. At the end, the wealth of nations will depend on their technology capabilities and readiness, with microelectronics becoming the gunpowder of the innovative global knowledge economy.

In essence, no nation can compete without being anchored on microelectronics. Because modern competition equates largely to technology competition and microelectronics shapes all industries, creating new ones and disrupting some.

The Microelectronics  & Entrepreneurship School (MES) will equip participants with skills for microelectronics design and development, and its business development in Africa. MES follows our successful 2009 program.

What You Can Expect

This program is designed for people, primarily in Africa, who are already involved in ICT and other technology applications but are interested  in microelectronics and its business opportunities in the continent. MES will provide an integrated learning structure that combines the use of cyberspace  and physical classrooms.

Who is Right for this Program

This program is created for technology entrepreneurs, professors, students, engineers, professionals, hobbyists, etc interested in microelectronics and its business. We will give preference to people with already existing entities looking to expand or differentiate or add value to their enterprises. Because of the specialized nature, a minimum of OND in relevant discipline is required for admission. Nonetheless, people with school certificate and years of associated industrial experience will be accepted.

Program Structure

MES will run Oct 1-June 30,2011 on the cyberspace through emails. Occasionally, we will video lectures and use Skpe conference features. Because of bandwidth issues across Africa, video will be seldom. All selected participants will receive access to protected section of this site for course materials. Between July 24-29, 2011, we will be in Ife, Nigeria (physically) to lead practicals. A follow-up Advisory raps it up. All those that complete the program will receive diploma certificates.

Cost

This program is offered free by African Institution of Technology to any qualified person in Africa (we hope to cover costs via sponsorships, a $1500 value). It is part of the efforts to build microelectronics capability in the continent. We will provide hardware, programming modules, CAD license, training tools, but participants must cover their travels and accommodations + feeding in Ife. We’re looking for sponsors and hope to assist very talented people to make it to Ife.

Application

To apply, please send your CV and explain in one page how this program will help your business or career. To help move immediately to those that can afford this program, we require that participants explain how they will fund themselves  (your transport and accommodation in Ife) if selected.

We have resources for few applicants; so apply immediately.  We require a min of OND in relevant areas. However, for experienced people in ICT, there is no academic requirement.

Important Dates

Free Application Due: Sept 29, 2010

Lecture starts (cyberspace): Oct 1-June 12, 2011

Practical (in Ife, Nigeria): July 24-29, 2011

Advisory (cyberspace): July 30-Oct 29, 2011

Course Contents

Click: MES

Facilitators
Your facilitators are proven experts drawn from top US, European, Canadian and African institutions.

For more: http://rainfallschool.org/school.aspx