Luanda – At least 10 business startups, currently generating income and jobs, are expected to display products at the 14th edition of the Luanda Telecommunications High Institute's Technological Innovation Fair (FITITEL/2023) taking place from September 7 to 10.
According to the Institute's director-general, Cláudio Gonçalves, the startups are technological projects developed by former students of the Luanda Telecommunications Institute (ITEL), who have turned their ideas into concrete ventures, providing useful services for citizens.
Speaking exclusively to ANGOP about FITITEL/2023, the ITEL headmaster, said the emergence of these startups in the national market, is the result of projects presented by former students at previous editions of the fair and serve as a practical example for others.
He recalled the creation of a "non-invasive malaria detection", to be approved by the National Institute for Health Research, as one of the examples of projects turned into reality by students.
Once approved, he continued, this device would be available for the population to support the fight against malaria, a disease that has been the cause of the highest mortality rate in Angola.
Gonçalves emphasised that, with the opening of the business incubator called "Digital.Ao" in 2022, ITEL committed itself to bringing businesses created by former students to this fair, with the aim to promote technological entrepreneurship in the country.
In addition to the 10 startups, the fair will also host other companies of the telecommunications and information technology sector to connect the students and promote new profitable businesses or the hiring of several graduates.
The main aim of this event is to showcase all the skills and competences that students have acquired during four years of training, presenting solutions that solve business and social problems, The ITEL headmaster explained.
Running under the slogan "Technological innovation at the service of road safety", Gonçaves said that the overall 40 projects to be exhibited at the fair will essentially serve to meet a certain demand and solve some problems that worry the Angolan society.
According to Cláudio Gonçalves, with this motto, FITITEL hopes to bring technologies that can be applied to the national road system to reduce road accidents, which have been the second leading cause of death in Angola.
He said that the fair has four categories of awards, three for the best projects in each course and one for the most innovative idea, which is the main prize at the event, while the other projects will also receive the necessary monitoring from ITEL.
Promoted by ITEL, with the support of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Social Communication , FITITEL/2023 expects to receive over 4,000 visitors, who will have the opportunity to attend 10 talks to be addressed by 20 national experts.
The main focus is on presenting the entrepreneurial potential of the new startups generated from the innovative projects on display, creating a vibrant and creative environment that stimulates both the local and international communities.
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