Throughout their studies students in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering develop their skills and knowledge working on projects. In their second year all students take part in our mouse race competition. The challenge is to design, build and test an automated guided vehicle (known as a mouse) to follow a set route in the fastest time. Working in teams, students must prepare a design that is both fast and reliable; too much speed and the mouse will leave the circuit, too little speed and the mouse will not win.

Joshua was part of a team of three and their first decision was whether to build an analogue or digital mouse: “We chose to design an analogue mouse because we thought we would learn more from the experience. A digital system would have involved less components and so reduce the weight. This would have given us a faster mouse from the beginning, but we wanted to work on something that would really make us think as a group.”

Joshua’s mouse contained a sensor to detect an electric current running through the centre of the 20m track. It navigated ascending and descending ramps and bends to finish the course in 14.34 seconds (a top 10 finish).

The best part of the project for Joshua was working as part of a team: “I really enjoyed exploring my strengths and skillsets, while learning from my team members. It was really interesting to work with people who have different personalities. Respecting the views of others and reasoning with differing opinions to come to a conclusion helped me to see the bigger picture.”

The project is also an opportunity to develop a range of hard and soft skills: “Working on the project gave me an insight into the professional world: the art of liaising with technical and non-technical professionals. This has helped my communication skills. I learnt a lot about time management, planning and goal setting, as well as practical elements like soldering.”

SOURCE-     UNIVERSITY OF BATH WEBSITE 

The amazing Cecily Mwaniki is a name that puts a smile on the faces of many people who have lived in Reading, Berkshire for very many years

The multi-talented community leader is passionate about community development and the importance of people working together, growing together and supporting each other.

Cecily is also The Founder of  The Utiluvu Womens association in Reading. This gret organisation continues to grow from strength to strength.

Cecily will be launching a new book called  “TOOLS TO GET BY IN LIFE” at Hexham Road Community centre, 1A Bamburgh Close, Reading RG2 7UD from 5pm to 8.30p.m ON SATURDAY THE 2ND OF JULY

COME AND BE PART OF AN AMAZING BOOK LAUNCH AND ALSO GET TO LISTEN TO OTHER KEY SPEAKERS AND PERFORMING ARTISTS

About CECILY

My passion is to inspire and empower women and young people succeed by supporting them focus on what matters to them. I support them build and expand their capacity to develop skills, knowledge and positive attitudes that enable them fulfill their potential to not only benefit themselves but also their families and the communities in which they live in. I do this by organizing workshops/trainings, conferences, 1to 1 meetings and even recommending useful books to read as well writing books.

You may not want to build an empire like many men and women have but I just know every woman wants that extra-ordinary life built around their values, their freedom and their families. I have published five books and a number of articles in different topics including women: Health & Wealth; Effective networking; Happy relationship dilemma; Financial well-being.

On a more personal note, I am happily married with two children and I have first hand experience of balancing family, education, work, career and community work. My personal time is special to me, especially spending quality time with my family and my ‘’alone’’ time to recharge my batteries. I take pleasure in networking, travelling, reading and writing.

My professional background, being bilingual (English, Swahili and Kikuyu) and having seen a need and value to empower women and young people, I did a degree in Women Studies after leaving my teaching career. I took another degree in Substance Use and Misuse and a Masters in Public Health and Health Promotion. I have done a number of professional studies including Equality & Diversity, Chartered Management, Project Management. My eight years experience working with women and men who have gone through the Оrlando web designCriminal Justice System and struggling with substance use & misuse gave me an insight of how life’s issues can be challenging and how important social networks and family are in dealing with them. This greatly motivated me to founding the ‘’UTULIVU’’ Organisation which in 2011 got the Queens Award for voluntary service among other seven organisations in Berkshire UK.This earned me the opportunity of being invited to Burkingham Palace for tea with the Queen at her annual Tea Garden Party and to celebrate her Golden Jubilee the following year.This was a life changing experience.

Having migrated from Kenya to UK, I just know how important social networks are in achieving /fulfilling your potential without fire fighting or making obvious mistakes because you don’t know how. Social network has definitely worked for me. My mission is therefore to empower you by equipping you with the necessary skills to fulfilling your potential and make the most needed change while meeting the most wanting needs in the society and the world at large.

My motto in life has always been Aspiring To Inspire Before I Expire. Why not get in touch with us and be inspired, empowered and soar like an Eagle? You have what it takes.

We know the Secrets to Your Success and will support you create it around your values, family and time.

Afropolitan Vibes is back!

For the first of our quarterly Afropolitan Vibes shows, we have gathered four great artists to perform alongside the 13-piece BANTU collective in the serene surroundings of our new home – MURI OKUNOLA PARK.

Joining us this month are: singer-songwriter IYANYA, Afro-soul singer PAUL PLAY DAIRO, rapper-singer MZKISS, French hiphop artist LEEROY and the 13-piece BANTU collective.

The After-party will take place under the ‘Friendship Tent’ at the park immediately after the show with DJ VYBEZ.

Come join us for a magical night of great music, dance and great vibes.

*Palm wine* *Food & Drinks Stalls* Free Jameson Cocktails* *MyMusic Chill Out Zone*Merchandise Stall*

JOIN US AT

Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos

Brenda Nokuzola Fassie was born in 1964 in Langa, a township near Cape Town. She was named after the American country singer Brenda Lee. The daughter of a pianist, Brenda began singing to her mother’s accompaniment at a very young age. At the age of five, she already had tourists paying to hear her sing. Producer Koloi Lebona heard about Brenda and brought her to Soweto to live with his family. She soon joined the group Joy and later formed her own band Brenda and the Big Dudes.

Fassie began a solo career in the 1980’s working with producer Sello Chicco Thwala. Her career skyrocketed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Things seemed to all go downhill in the mid 1990’s when rumours of drug abuse began to surface. After a few a stints in rehab Fassie made a comeback in 1998 with the release of her very successful album Memeza, which was also a reunion with her long time producer Thwala. She died on 9  May 2004 

AppleMark

SOURCE – SOUTH AFRICAN HISTORY ONLINE

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

WISHING YOU ALL A SEASON FILLED WITH GREAT MANIFESTATIONS, SUCCESS STORIES AND GOOD HEALTH.

CONTACT ME TODAY, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR SERVICES BELOW, WE GO THE EXTRA MILE TO ADD VALUE

BIO –FRANK PAA KUMI

Frank Paa Kumi is a thought-leader on good governance, a leadership and personnel development coach, an entrepreneur, a pastor, and a social innovator. Under his inspiring leadership, the Passionate Africa Leadership Institute (PALI)–a professional leadership organisation–was founded in June 2005 and has made remarkable strides ever since its formation.

His indefatigable efforts and professional leadership experience has seen PALI rise from the level of a small community based youth-led NGO into a fully-fledged personnel development institute. PALI has the following operational models: PALI-Centre for Leadership and People Development with focus on human capital development, PALI-Centre for Natural Capital Governance and Social Accountability with focus on policy development and advocacy, and PALI-Youth Impact Projects aimed at achieving a comprehensive youth empowerment in the African region.

Frank is fast becoming one of Africa’s shining examples in challenging the deficit thinking within the region, through the relentless effort he invests in developing the capacities of other young teen leaders. He is the Convener of the Reshape Africa Initiative, an offspring of the flagship

PALI-Youth Impact Projects, with the primary aim of achieving behavioural change in the African Youth through a process of consistent re-orientation in the way they act and do things.

Frank is a fellow of the 2017 cohort of the British Council’s Prestigious African Leadership Fellowship–a pan-African event that brings together emerging leaders from twenty-one states in three different regions across the world. Frank has a background in Organizational Development.

He has also received professional training in Human Resources Management from the Central University, Accra and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. (GIMPA).

PALI and its antecedent vision care network are both initiatives of Frank Paa Kumi, established in June 2005. Frank has a strong passion to create platforms for African youth empowerment. His passion is driven by the desire to develop potentials of African youths in leadership, inculcate in them strong values, and sharpen their core competence skills for better positioning in the corporate world and become globally competitive.

PALI, today, is driving the social innovation wheel while playing a pivotal role in equipping the region’s most valuable assets (Human Capital), having found a niche to advance the course of participatory governance, youth empowerment, and community leadership.

Frank believes  that future leadership should be best inspired by true service, a personal resolve to improve the generational leadership script, hence make a real difference.

The Moon Smiles Tonight

the moon smiles
at me tonight
in whispering rays
of dauntless mosaic

she wears a full face
of coral beads dangling
as of fresh beginnings
where orphaned shadows
walk backwards
from nightly shades

the moon smiles tonight…
she laughs,
leaning on fossils
at webbed thresholds
where LIFE is but scattered
into a single FILE
and groping reigns
in perfumed carcasses

the moon smiles tonight…
she laughs,
with the night’s hidden mouth
of open oracles
whom she holds
in tender lights

not unlike
a laughing stock
at these new markets
where ‘ohiwo’s’ water
sells for quickened honey

the
moon
smiles
tonight…
she laughs.

-Kenneth Christie-Atiti.
©2017.

On the Music spotlight this week, we celebrate the musical legacy of the amazing Kanda Bongo Man, One of Africa,s greatest living musicians

On The 26th of July 2015, I had the pleasure of interviewing  Sir Kanda Bongo Man – The King of Kwasa Kwasa who has implemented structural changes to Congolese Soukous Music

Kanda Bongo Man was also honoured with our Africa4U OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for his profound contribution to AFRICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY and the legacy he continues to create.

About Kanda Bongo Man

A very well-known vocalist, dancer and composer, Kanda was born in Democratic Republic of Congo. He grew up listening to the sounds of Grand Kalle, Franco and other great stars of that time and also enjoyed singing with his friends. When he was 18 years old he got the chance to sing in the Bella Mambo band alongside Soki Dianzenza. At one point Kanda and some other members left that band and formed Orchestre Bana Mambo in 1976. That band played for 2 years then Kanda decided to leave and live in Paris. While doing casual work to support himself he met a record producer and this resulted in his first album, Iyole. His next albums came in 1982 and 1985 entitled Djessy and Malingarespectively. Key musicians who played in Kanda’s band include Diblo Dibala, Rigo Star and Miguel Yamba. Kanda and Diblo worked as a team together on many compositions but they have now gone separate ways. Some of Kanda’s most popular songs being the now classics ‘Sai’, ‘Muchana’ and ‘Jesu Christo’.
Internationally Kanda Bongo Man is the king of the highly infectious guitar-led Congolese soukous music. He is also responsible for his own special dance brand, known as kwassa kwassa. He first performed in Britain at WOMAD in 1983 and has been on numerous prestigious stages in United States such as Central Park and Reggae on the River festival in California. Other countries to which Kanda has taken his dance formula are Australia, Canada and South Africa. His songs are popular all over Africa as well.

SOURCE-  AFRICAN MUSIC PROFILES

A new dawn in history unfolded, as chapter members from  The Nigerians in The Diaspora Organization Europe  (NIDO) met in the City of Dortmund for a memorable Nido Europe Summit on Friday the 26^th of May and Saturday the 27^th of May at The LENSING – CAREE CONFERENCE CENTRE, Silberstrasse 21  44137   Dortmund, Germany

Distinguished Key Speakers, Entrepreneurs , Politicians, Community Leaders and NIDO Chapter members travelled from far and wide to experience and participate in an inspirational thought provoking event  packed with presentations, workshops, new partnerships, networking, media interviews and the urgent need to  plan and implement sort term and long term initiatives for the social and economical development of business, trade and an enabling environment in Nigeria.

I was also in Dortmund, Germany to promote the summit but also to gather the thoughts of distinguished community leaders and NIDO Chapter members who travelled from far and wide.

One of the amazing NIDO Members I got to speak to was Mr Yemi Adelusola, A very experienced IT Consultant for The European commission and The Vice chair person for NIDO BELUX region

1. It is a pleasure to meet you here at THE NIDO EUROPE SUMMIT in Germany.  It feels great to be talking to my Senor from my childhood days in Federal Government College, Azare. It just simply shows that we live in a small world, sometimes more than we imagine . Can you tell our African Online audience of over 6,000 Members, a bit about yourself and your background?  

I work as a consultant to both the EU/UN on programme management anddeployment of Large scale IT systems

2. What has inspired you most about THE NIDO SUMMIT and what are three things you have been impressed with

I like the idea that the organisation is moving forward. Three lessons are:

1. You need the right people to fuel your vision

2. unification of purpose is required to get any desired result.

3. Change in Nigeria is inevitable

    3. What are your thoughts on the Vision of NIDO as an organization?

NIDO should embrace all other organisations in diaspora and act as a think tank/consultative forum for the government.

    4 .   If our online audience wants to know more about what you do, are there any social media Platform that people can check out?      

Security issues and Non disclosure agreements does not allow me to publicise my work.

NIDO will carry all  non NIDO Diaspora Group  along on Diaspora day and National Development:

Hon. Kenneth Gbandi,  The Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation  Europe addresses a large audience in Abuja on Monday the 6th of June  while  taking questions from journalists in Abuja in preparation for a critical meeting of NIDOWW, the NNVS and  The SGF as leading Diaspora Organisation to co- organize the Diaspora Day  2017.

According to him, it was an  exciting time to be part of the Nigerian Diaspora movement, Most importantly because,  more than ever before,  citizens in Nigeria as well as  our different arms of government; look up to Nigerians in the diaspora for innovative solutions to the myriads of challenges facing the nation.
Hon Gbandi  emphasized on the need at this stage of to rekindle  the Diaspora indomitable spirit through a holistic re-strategizing and repositioning of NIDOE to  present the organization and the Diaspora as a well ordered and dependable group, promoting national development, business, trade & investment opportunities, providing a professional resource pool from where the Diaspora and National developmental interests could be managed in a transparent but secure, respectful but fair manner to induce growth in the areas of economic, social, academic, political, entertainment and all areas where our people seek to position themselves.

Crucial Diaspora affairs and events like the Diaspora Commission, Diaspora Voting Rights and Diaspora Day are matters that concern all Nigerians outside Nigeria, therefore a strategic cooperation, networking and synergy with other Nigerian Diaspora Groups e.g., ANNID, NIDAN, CANUK is cardinal.  Together we are stronger and united.

Watch this space for more updates