Victoria Nxumalo

2024 IVLP Impact Award Project: Bridging the Skills Gap: AI Solutions for Zimbabwe's Education-to-Workforce PipelineZimbabwe
Victoria Nxumalo is an award-winning ICT professional and entrepreneur specializing in digital transformation and digital skills training. Victoria is the Founder & Executive Director of the Girls in STEM Trust, an education non-profit organization that educates, advocates for, and empowers young women and girls in Africa. Her work also focuses on collaboration with organizations that support social and business entrepreneurship and youth development. She currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Camden Education Trust Ireland and The Girls Table Zimbabwe. She is also the co-founder of Byo Tech Hub in Zimbabwe and LearnHub in Kigali.
IVLP Impact Award Project: Bridging the Skills Gap: AI Solutions for Zimbabwe's Education-to-Workforce Pipeline

The project will bring together educators, industry leaders, and students to develop AI integration strategies that empower learners and align education with workforce demands. At a three-day conference, participants will tackle challenges head-on and tertiary educators will be empowered to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI).

So far, Victoria has secured a venue and arranged virtual participation for international speakers. All logistical needs, including catering and print materials, are on track. The program has garnered strong interest, with additional speakers volunteering to participate.   

Victoria has also partnered with the National University of Science and Technology Faculty of Science and Technology Education to ensure academic support for the conference. She is also working with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and ZIMCHE. Victoria states that by working closely with educational institutes and students for her project, graduates can benefit by "increasing their workforce readiness and industry overall productivity leading to economic development driven by innovation," and "educators will gain AI skills to deliver personalized, future-oriented education aligned with Education 5.0 which is part of Zimbabwe's key education policy in tertiary institutions." 

“I anticipate that this conference will spark an ongoing ecosystem that will promote innovation and ensure the ethical, responsible, and efficient integration of AI in the field of education.” - Victoria Nxumalo

IVLP Exchange Experience

Victoria participated in the IVLP Project Harnessing New Technologies for Growth organized by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas, in partnership with World Affairs Council Seattle, Global Ties Kansas City, and WorldBoston.

Victoria's exchange experience led to the creation of her project. She experienced pivotal conversations in shaping how the education journeys of students in Zimbabwe will plug into the global talent pipeline. She was introduced to Karrie Ann Jean, Executive Director, Mattapan/Greater Boston Technology Learning Center, in Boston, Massachusetts where she connected similarities in Girls in STEM grassroots initiatives to her home community.

“It was only after seeing the importance of having educators who are confident enough to ride the tide of integrating new technologies and rapidly learning alongside their students and mentees, that I was spurred into action to pursue a project that brings together all the necessary stakeholders in the education sector." - Victoria Nxumalo

U.S. Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Boston, MA; Kansas City, MO; Seattle, WA

Country: Zimbabwe

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