Category Archives: Partnerships

In order to foster community development and uplift the living standards of their people, the executive delegation of youths from Bokoko Village paid a courtesy visit to the Biaka Group on Wednesday, seeking sponsorship and partnership for a series of community projects. The meeting, which took place at the bureau of the Vice Chancellor of BUIB, brought together representatives of the youth group led by their president and top officials of the Biaka Group, headed by the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mrs. Francisca Hongla Biaka.

The visit was marked by a vibrant exchange of ideas, as the Bokoko youths passionately presented their vision for the transformation of their village. Leading the delegation was the youth president, who explained that the aim of the visit was not only to seek support in addressing pressing needs within the Bokoko community but also to re-build a long-term collaborative relationship with the Biaka Group which is located in the heart of the Bokoko Village.

Among the key projects pitched during the meeting were the installation of streetlights, provision of pipe-borne water, erection of directional and identification signposts, and enhancement of security in the village. The youths emphasized that these projects were born out of the need to improve safety, accessibility, and overall quality of life in Bokoko, a village which also hosts the main site of the Biaka Group.

Speaking on behalf of the youth group, the president highlighted the challenge of poor lighting in the area, especially at night, which poses a threat to both villagers and students alike. “The installation of solar-powered streetlights will not only brighten our roads but will also reduce the risk of crime and accidents,” he explained. He further stressed the urgent need for clean, accessible water in the village, noting that many residents still rely on unsafe sources, leading to health complications.

The delegation also proposed the production and placement of signposts to properly identify roads, neighborhoods, and key landmarks within the village. “This will not only make navigation easier but also give a sense of identity and pride to the people of Bokoko,” one of the youth representatives added. As for security, the group proposed the establishment of a local community watch team, supported with basic communication and surveillance tools, to enhance safety and rapid response to incidents.

Impressed by the clarity, ambition, and community-driven nature of the projects, Dr. Francisca Hongla Biaka commended the youths for their initiative. She praised their determination to be part of the solution to the challenges facing their community, noting that such youth-led initiatives align perfectly with the values of the Biaka Group.

“Youths who think beyond themselves and look toward the development of their community are the kind of leaders we need in Cameroon,” she remarked. The Vice Chancellor further assured the group that their proposals would be reviewed by the leadership of the Biaka Group and that the institution was open to supporting projects that directly benefit the host community.

The visit concluded with an appraisal of the Biaka campus and hospital facilities, during which the youths expressed appreciation for the positive impact the Biaka Group continues to have in the Bokoko area. They reaffirmed their commitment to work closely with the institution in ensuring that the proposed projects are successfully implemented.

The delegation departed with a feeling of hope and renewed partnership, knowing that with such proactive engagement between the community and private institutions like the Biaka Group, the future of Bokoko village looks bright, both literally and figuratively.

With a landmark agreement set to redefine sports and healthcare collaboration in the region, Biaka Group and Fako United Football Club have officially joined forces in a partnership that promises to enhance both community health and athletic excellence. This strategic alliance, announced at a high-profile meeting attended by key stakeholders from the healthcare and sports industries, marks a significant step forward in promoting wellness, education, and sports development in the Fako Division and beyond.

To ensure “A Win-Win Partnership” under this groundbreaking agreement, Biaka Hospital has been designated as the official medical partner of Fako United FC. The hospital will provide comprehensive healthcare services to the team, including injury treatment, physiotherapy, and wellness programs. In a significant show of support, players and staff of Fako United will receive a 50% discount on all medical services including conducting medical check-ups, injury management, the hospital’s newly acquired AI full-body scan machine capable of performing over 128 diagnoses within minutes, and rehabilitation programs to keep players in peak physical condition throughout the season.

In return, Biaka Group will benefit from enhanced brand visibility, with its logo prominently featured on team jerseys, match banners, and social media platforms. This increased exposure aligns with Biaka Group’s objective of reinforcing its reputation as a leading institution dedicated to education, healthcare, and community welfare.

In the strive to unlocking new opportunities, the partnership between Biaka Group and Fako United is expected to open new doors for both entities. Biaka Group will establish valuable connections with sports organizations, sponsors, and other agencies, further strengthening its position as a leading healthcare and education provider. Additionally, the collaboration will generate fresh revenue streams through medical services for players, sponsorship deals, and jointly organized sporting and community events.

For Fako United, the alliance brings increased credibility and financial support. With the backing of a respected institution like Biaka Group, the club is poised to attract more sponsors and stakeholders interested in promoting local sports development.

In addition to the  50% discount on all healthcare services at Biaka Hospital and access to top-notch medical care and rehabilitation programs, other key features of the partnership is the provision of comprehensive healthcare services for Fako United FC players and staff will include transportation support for games and training sessions, and increased brand recognition and credibility through association with Biaka Group.

As a Legacy of Excellence, Biaka Group has built a strong reputation as a premier institution dedicated to education, medical care, and charitable activities. By joining forces with Fako United, the group reaffirms its commitment to fostering community development and empowering young athletes.

Mr. Lawrence Francis Biaka, Vice Chair of Biaka Group, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “This is more than just a sponsorship; it’s about giving back to the community. We believe in the power of sports as a tool for social change, and through this collaboration, we aim to support young talents while reinforcing our dedication to healthcare and education.”

Fako United FC fondly called the “Njoku Boys”, a prominent team with a growing reputation in national football, has been striving to establish itself as a dominant force in the South West Regionsl league. The partnership with Biaka Group presents a unique opportunity for the club to enhance its operational efficiency and player welfare. Club President Mr. Terence Ngange Jackai expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Football is not just about playing matches; it’s about holistic development. With Biaka Group as our partner, our players will benefit from top-class medical support, fitness programs, and even academic scholarships via the Biaka University Institute Buea, ensuring they are well prepared for life beyond football.”

Community engagement is another fundamental aspect of this partnership. Through the Biaka Foundation, both organizations will launch grassroots initiatives to promote sports among young people, organize football clinics, and encourage healthy living through sports education campaigns. Furthermore, workshops and seminars on sports management, leadership, and financial literacy will be organized to equip players with essential life skills.

With this partnership in place, fans of Fako United can anticipate an exciting season ahead, knowing their team is backed by one of the country’s most trusted institutions.

This collaboration marks the beginning of a new era where corporate and sports entities can work together to drive development, create opportunities, and leave a lasting impact on the community. As Biaka Group and Fako United embark on this journey, the synergy between healthcare, education, and sports is set to shape a brighter future for all involved.

From the 20^th – 22^nd of March, at the campus of Biaka University Institute of Buea (BUIB) tech enthusiasts, students, and industry professionals gathered for a transformative three-day Internet of Things (IoT) capacity-building and hackathon program. Organized by SUM-IT Africa and hosted by BUIB’s School of Engineering and Technology, the event which ran for Three days aimed to equip participants with the technical skills and innovative mindset necessary to build IoT solutions that address real-world challenges in Africa’s digital economy.

The opening day was meant to Set the Stage for Innovation as event officially opened on March 20 with an inspiring welcome speech from the founder of SUM-IT Africa, Ms. Ebude Hilda who emphasized the importance of IoT in shaping Africa’s technological future. The Director of BUIB’s School of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Willibroad who represented the Vice Chancellor followed with remarks highlighting the university’s commitment to fostering technological innovation and empowering students with industry-relevant skills.

Following the opening remarks, participants were taken through an overview of the program’s expectations and hackathon goals. The organizers outlined key learning outcomes, the structure of the hackathon, and the judging criteria for the final pitch session.

A keynote address by Mr. Fon Wilfred, the CEO of Revival Digital Company shed light on the Relevance of IoT in Africa’s Digital Economy. He highlighted how IoT technologies are revolutionizing sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and urban development and encouraged participants to focus on solutions that have a tangible impact on African and the middle-East communities.

Next was a panel discussion on Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Prospects of IoT in Africa brought together industry leaders, startup founders, and academics. The panelists engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about infrastructure challenges, data security, and the need for local talent development. They also discussed potential opportunities, such as smart agriculture, e-health solutions, and IoT-driven logistics optimization.

After the panel session, the technical workshops began, immersing participants in hands-on learning experiences. The first workshop on IoT Connectivity focused on various communication protocols, including MQTT, LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT, providing participants with a foundational understanding of how IoT devices communicate. The second workshop, Cloud Integration for IoT, introduced participants to cloud platforms such as AWS IoT Core and Google Cloud IoT, showcasing how cloud computing enhances data processing, storage, and analytics.

The day concluded with teams formation and an idea brainstorming session. Participants grouped into teams, shared their interests, and began conceptualizing their IoT solutions. By the end of the session, teams had sketched out preliminary ideas and assigned roles, setting the stage for the intensive development process to follow.

The second day started off with a Design Thinking Masterclass on User-Centered Innovation for IoT Solutions. Facilitated by an experienced UX designer, this session emphasized the importance of designing solutions that address user needs and pain points. Participants were guided through the principles of empathy mapping, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing, helping them refine their ideas before delving into development.

The first technical workshop of the day focused on Data Visualization for IoT. Teams learned how to interpret and present IoT-generated data using visualization tools like Grafana and Power BI. This session was crucial in ensuring that participants could make sense of IoT data and communicate insights effectively.

Next came the Hands-on Prototyping Workshop, where teams got their hands dirty, assembling hardware components, writing firmware, and connecting devices to the cloud. Under the guidance of mentors, participants tested sensors, wrote code, and troubleshot connectivity issues, steadily bringing their ideas to life.

As the day drew to a close, teams participated in a Mentor Feedback Session, presenting their progress and receiving expert insights on how to improve their solutions. The mentors provided valuable guidance on technical implementation, user experience, and business viability, helping teams refine their projects in preparation for the final presentation.

The final day kicked off with a Masterclass on Pitching, designed to equip participants with storytelling techniques and strategies for delivering compelling presentations. They learned how to articulate the problem they were solving, demonstrate the functionality of their IoT solutions, and communicate the potential impact of their projects as they all aimed to win in the pitching session.

Following the masterclass, teams moved into the Product Testing and Demo Preparation Phase. This session was crucial as participants worked to refine their prototypes, conduct last-minute debugging, and ensure their demos were seamless. Some teams ran live tests of their IoT solutions, while others refined their presentation slides and rehearsed their pitches.

The event culminated in the Hackathon Pitch and Demo Session, where each team had the opportunity to showcase their work to a panel of judges comprising tech experts, investors, and academics. The presentations were evaluated based on innovation, technical feasibility, impact, and market potential. Teams demonstrated a range of solutions, from smart irrigation systems for sustainable farming to remote patient monitoring devices for healthcare accessibility.

After an intense deliberation, the judges announced the winning team, whose innovative smart traffic management system impressed the panel with its potential to reduce congestion in urban areas. The winning team was awarded medals by the logistics personel of BUIB, Mr. Penyia Nelson on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and recognized for their outstanding creativity, technical execution, and problem-solving approach.

In a bid to see a new generation of IoT Innovators, the organizers expressed their gratitude to BUIB, the participants, mentors, and sponsors who made the program a success as the event drew to a close. The founder of SUM-IT Africa commended the participants for their dedication and encouraged them to continue exploring IoT technologies beyond the hackathon. The Director of BUIB’s School of Engineering and Technology reiterated the institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and expressed hope for future collaborations. The three-day IoT capacity-building and hackathon program at BUIB was more than just a competition; it was an immersive learning experience that empowered participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to develop impactful IoT solutions. For many, this event marked the beginning of their journey as IoT innovators, paving the way for a future where technology drives positive change in Africa’s digital economy.