The Makocha Minds mentor program ("makocha" is the Swahili word for "coach") matches senior technical leaders from IBM and its partners with African university students studying science and technology disciplines ranging from computational biology and engineering to systems and software development.

Through these mentoring relationships, students gain an inside perspective on their chosen areas of study and future career options, on how large global business organizations work, and how to better prepare for the working world. Makocha Minds also gives technical professionals an unprecedented opportunity to share their knowledge and personal career experiences with African students.

The program is available to students studying Engineering, ICT, Computer Science and Software Development at a select number of African universities. Technical professionals from IBM and participating partners are invited to volunteer as mentors. Protégés are hand-selected to participate in the program by the participating University coordinators.

The Makocha Minds program is designed to provide mentors and their protégés with considerable flexibility in pursuing their relationships. For the most part, interaction will be through remote connections - mentoring sessions by email and through other forms of communication such as phone and SMS text messaging).

Mentor volunteers are welcome. Please contact Matthew Luke or Sheila Forte for further details.

Makocha Minds African Mentorship Program Overview

Makocha Minds Protégé Guide

Makocha Minds Mentor Start-up Kit

Read more at IBM's Global Innovation Outlook site.