[caption id="attachment_26686" align="alignleft" width="300"] CAC 's Sylvie Bello at a White House Event on Innovation in Transportation[/caption]
As part of events to celebrate the Black History month, the Cameroon American Council (CAC) is beaming the spotlight on the transport sector in Cameroon with a Hackathon at Howard University in Washington, DC. The event which is also been used by the CAC to celebrate the Cameroon Youth Day and the 50th anniversary of the US.Dept of Transportation will have as theme “Hacking The Future of the Cameroon Transportation Sector.
According to the CAC, in addition to raising awareness on of Cameroon and its transport sector, the event will include a business idea competition on a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving within Cameroon’s Transportation industry .Attendees will include students, technology, business, and transportation professionals.
The transportation sector is very vital for sustainable economic development, says Sylvie Bello of the CAC. With the US.Department of Transportation clocking fifty, on the Black History Month, and the month that the Cameroon Youth Day takes place, the CAC thought it will be a noble idea to shine some light on the transportation sector in Cameroon with its challenges, and potentials, said Bello.
[caption id="attachment_26685" align="alignright" width="168"] Bello with Stephen Arhin, Ph.D Howard University Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department Director, Transportation Research Center[/caption]
Partners for the hackathon include the African Women in Transportation Association, Howard University's Transportation Institute, and African Student Associations from various colleges, and Transportation Agencies. Participating teams will articulate Aviation, Maritime, and Women in Transportation, Road /Rail and disability access in transportation.
Located in Central Africa, transportation problems have dented prospects for faster economic development for Cameroon. The efforts of Bello and the CAC are in line with growing efforts from dynamic young Cameroonians to be part of the solution. Amongst the finalists for Best Social Apps in an ongoing MTN sponsored innovation challenge are two transportation focused apps. Mboa Taxi (Android) a Taxi reservation app(uber for Cameroon) developed by Ndanga Brice Arsene and Sampa Pierre. There is also Tika (Android) a bus or train reservation app developed by Bassama Paul Herve.
In 2014, the CAC facilitated the placement of the Owona brothers into the Howard University Summer Transportation Institute.
*Who: Cameroon American Council and partners, hosted by Howard University' Transportation Institute
What: Hack The Future of Cameroon's Transportation Industry
When:02/27/16, Time 11am
Where: Howard University's Blackburn Center
Address 2397 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059
For more information on the event, contact Sylvie Bello -Sylviebello.dc@gmail.com.
