Page 39 - EngineerIt February 2021

INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY

Community radio gets a R10m boost

urban-based tech company, immedia has invested R10-million to help African media entrepreneurs
Dto build sustainable community radio by using Fabrik, a set of cloud-enabled digital tools that
empower media entities to live-stream shows, grow and engage with audiences around the world, and
benefit financially by monetising their audiences.
The 25-year-old company, which has the backing of Microsoft and the Industrial Development
Corporation, has been developing their Fabrik technology since 2017. Fabrik allows media entrepreneurs
to upend the traditional notion of “we broadcast and you receive”, by creating a feedback loop that
directly helps the stations and listeners that use it to leapfrog old technology, to become citizen
journalists, and find their strategic space in a digitally transformed world. It is already being used by
15 commercial clients, including radio stations Gagasi FM, Smile 90.4FM and YFM. Izwi mobile app. “Community media’s aim is to
As part of its Digital Leap programme, immedia will be giving its platform to qualifying media provide trusted information and expression, and
entrepreneurs across Africa for free for a year. This includes consultation, training and support to help Fabrik has helped do that,” he says.
monetize the technology, cumulatively valued at R10 million. Applications for the Fabrik Digital Leap
According to Tamie Mbombo, head of Marketing and PR at Izwi loMzansi, one of the largest community programme are now open. For more information
radio stations in South Africa, says that the platform has revolutionised the station’s engagement with its visit the website or contact Jonathan Lumley at
listeners, and has led the digital charge with featured podcasts and integrated advertising campaigns on the jonathan@fabrik.cloud. n

Engineers Without Borders Engineering for People Design Challenge Grand Finals, where the best team
from the participating universities, previously selected by academics from
each institution, will showcase their solutions in a bid to win the Grand Prize
lectrocomponents plc (LSE: ECM), a global omni-channel solutions of an educational bursary. The runner up and People’s Prize winners will
Epartner for industrial customers and suppliers, has signed a one-year receive a shared bursary.
partnership agreement with Engineers Without Borders International, the Electrocomponents’ collaboration with Engineers Without Borders
leading movement that puts global responsibility at the heart of engineering organisations is part of a wider commitment by the Group to ensure that the
in every part of the world. company delivers and promotes the highest levels of environmental, social
For the duration of the partnership, Electrocomponents will provide and governance (ESG) standards affecting people and the planet. It is also
financial and hands-on support to Engineers Without Borders South Africa another example of Electrocomponents’ enduring educational support for the
and Engineers Without Borders UK for the annual Engineering for People new generation of engineers who will shape our future world. Through this
Design Challenge, as well as for the Inspiring and Building Community partnership, Electrocomponents has pledged to extend its support to other
Leaders programmes. The competition, now in its tenth year, is a Engineers Without Borders organisations, with activity planned for later this
collaboration in 2020/21 between three of the 60 Engineers Without Borders year in the USA and Australia.
organisations: the UK, South Africa and the USA. Lindsley Ruth, CEO Electrocomponents, said: “Our ESG aspiration at
The objective underpinning this unique challenge is to encourage Electrocomponents is to make amazing things happen by inspiring a more
university students to broaden their awareness of the social, environmental and sustainable world through education and innovative solutions that improve
economic implications of their engineering solutions. The initiative embeds a lives. The themes that run through our plan align perfectly with what
globally responsible awareness during a pivotal moment of the students’ Engineers Without Borders stands for and we’re delighted to enter into this
careers and provides an opportunity for them to develop solutions that could partnership with them. We believe that through our support and participation
make a positive difference to communities and individuals around the world. in the Engineering for People Design Challenge globally, alongside other key
More than 7,000 first- and second-year university engineering students programmes, we can nurture the next generation of globally responsible
spanning three continents are competing this year to find practicable ways to engineering leaders together.”
improve the livelihoods of people in the neighbouring communities of Lobitos and "Electrocomponents has a long history of nurturing engineering talent so
Piedritas on the northern coast of Peru. Though popular as a surfing destination, we couldn't be more pleased to have them as partners on the Engineering for
the two towns still experience significant challenges with sustainable waste People Design Challenge. The extensive educational initiatives run by
management, energy, food and water supply, digital communications and Electrocomponents are a reflection of their dedication to supporting and
transport infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded inspiring the next generation of engineers and an indication of our
the difficulties in accessing the economic benefit that the shared mission to engineer a better future for our planet and
growing tourism industry offers through employment, all the people who inhabit it," said Jenny Munday, Head of
investment and direct tourist spending. Engagement, Engineers Without Borders UK. n
As well as providing essential funding to the
Engineering for People Design Challenge, For more information about the Engineering for People
Electrocomponents is very much involved at a practical Design Challenge, and Electrocomponents’
level, offering critical skills training to students to boost involvement with Engineers Without Borders UK, visit
confidence in areas such as presentation skills, for https://www.ewb-uk.org/movement/partnerships/
example. The first of these sessions will take place during corporate-partners/. For updates on the South African leg
the Student Designathon on 17 February. of this partnership please contact Wesley Hood on
Electrocomponents will also sit on the judging panel at the wesley.hood@rs-components.com

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