It was exciting and memorable event as always. This is my third time to join TechmCamp and it is also the first time for me to join TechCamp as a trainer outside cambodia.
What is TechCamp?
TechCamps are a public diplomacy program hosted in the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State.
TechCamps are hands-on, participant-driven workshops that connect private sector technology experts with key populations — journalists, non-governmental organizations, civil society advocates, and more — to explore and apply innovative tech solutions to global issues. TechCamps are focused on results, with participants identifying real-world challenges and working in partnership with trainers to apply technology solutions to these challenges. Each TechCamp also includes ongoing impact-oriented programs and efforts to help participants implement their projects post-workshop and stay connected and engaged with each other, their trainers, and U.S. State Department staff.
TechCamp began at the U.S. State Department in 2010; the Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) took over the program in 2015 and conducted more than 40 TechCamp workshops all over the world, training more than 2,100 participants from more than 110 countries. In May 2019, the TechCamp program transitioned into the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Explore our map to see where TechCamp has had an impact.
TechCamp Kochi is all about:
Centre for Public Policy Research in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate-General, Chennai presents Tech4Oceans: Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future, a three day tech camp to tackle emerging oceanic environmental issues such as rising sea levels, deteriorating marine life, increased oceanic and surface temperatures, unregulated fishing, and marine pollution. The TechCamp will convene 9 international and local experts with 50 participants at the coastal city of Kochi, Kerala, to undergo comprehensive innovation and technology-based training via expert presentations, interactive sessions, and group discussions. This platform would enable a collaborative and multifaceted approach to enhance awareness about ocean health and sustainability working towards achieving the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-14 which calls to ‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.’
Why TechCamp Kochi is exciting?
It was my great pleasure to be a part of TechCamp Kochi as a trainer to share my experience of technology and mobile development to a diverse background of participants from undergraduate student, professional, industry experts and specialist on a common concerning issue about ocean and finding innovative solutions for a sustainable future. The three-days interactive session are well prepared and allow everyone including participants, trainers, and organizers to share, learn and discuss openly on any topic they can think of.
All the eight topics are well connected and encouraging. Everyone finds it very interesting to explore its thematic connectivity.
- Mapping Plastic debris to prevent Marine Pollution using GIS & Remote sensing techniques for a Sustainable Future
- Story Impact Lab: an interactive workshop to transform your communications
- Ocean Data and Marine Pollution
- Coproduction of knowledge: Linking communities and the ocean to promote healthy, sustainable human-environment interactions
- Human Centered Design & Creative Project Management
- How to create an Investor-Ready Pitch Deck (& Pitching Best Practice)
- Train your AI sidekick to map human activity and empower communities with data
- Mobile App Development: Is mobile app a magic pill for solving development issues?
I found that It is very likely a full pack startup idea where each group of indecently and voluntarily formed is working hard to kickstart their innovative idea with applicable tools. And whenever they face any difficulty or need more advice from each topic, they can just freely seek information and advice from each expert trainer during their three days interactive session.
Finally, each group who well-prepared and present their idea to the best of interest with follow up questions after the TechCamp workshop will received a sum of grant to execute their idea. This is probably the first step for them to put their idea into action. I really can’t wait to see how those idea become operational.
https://techcamp.america.gov/techcamps/techcamp-kochi/
