The WebLab program is a strategic educational initiative in Cabo Verde designed to bridge the digital divide and equip the country's youth with essential skills for the digital economy. Implemented through a partnership between the Ministry of Education, the Operational Nucleus for the Information Society (NOSi), and international technology partners like Huawei, the program creates mobile, containerized laboratories to deliver technical training across the archipelago.

Here is a detailed overview of the WebLab program:

Objectives and Vision of WebLab

The primary goal of WebLab is to reduce digital exclusion by facilitating access to equipment, connectivity, and technological knowledge. It serves as a "Technological Initiation" phase within Cabo Verde's broader digital strategy, aimed at discovering and strengthening talent early in the educational cycle. The program aspires to cultivate a sufficient number of qualified ICT professionals to support the country's growing digital industry.

2. Infrastructure: The Container Model

A defining feature of the WebLab program is its innovative use of infrastructure to overcome Cabo Verde's geographic fragmentation:

• Containerized Labs: The solution utilizes converted shipping containers equipped as modern laboratories. These units include ICT kits, programmable teaching robot suites, electronic maintenance tools, and office furniture.
• Cloud Connectivity: The labs are connected to the NOSi National Data Center via the government's cloud infrastructure, allowing for centralized management of content and training materials.
• Deployment: By using containers, the government was able to deploy these facilities rapidly to secondary schools across different islands, ensuring that remote areas could access the same quality of resources as urban centers.

3. Curriculum and Skills

WebLabs serve as multi-function classrooms providing vocational and technical training to secondary school students and, in some cases, adults and local community members. The curriculum covers:

• Robotics: Programming and operating educational robots.
• Programming/Coding: Introduction to software development and coding skills.
• Multimedia: Training in digital media creation.
• Maintenance: Computer and smartphone maintenance and repair.
• Learning Management System (LMS): The project supports an LMS that provides online learning environments and cloud-based repositories for educational content.

Expansion and Evolution (WebLab I vs. WebLab II)

The program has evolved through distinct phases, supported by international funding and strategic shifts:

• WebLab I (Launch): Launched in August 2018, the initial phase installed 44 laboratories in secondary schools across the country. By the end of this phase, the program had enrolled nearly 14,000 students, though earlier reports noted approximately 6,000 students enrolled initially.
• WebLab II (Expansion): Supported by the World Bank's Digital Cabo Verde Project, the second phase aims to scale the initiative significantly.
  • Universal Access: The goal is to expand to remaining schools, prioritizing remote and rural areas, and integrating the curriculum into the formal education system for Grades 5 through 8.
  • Gender Focus: A major objective of WebLab II is to close the gender gap in ICT. While WebLab I had approximately 37% female participation, Phase II targets 50% female participation by using gender-sensitive learning materials and encouraging girls' interest in STEM.
  • Institutional Transfer: To ensure sustainability, the management of the WebLabs is being transferred from NOSi to the Ministry of Education. This includes transferring physical assets (keys and containers) and integrating the curriculum into the national school system.

Strategic Impact

The WebLab program is considered a pillar of Cabo Verde's human capital strategy. By training thousands of young people, it directly supports the government's ambition to transform the country into a "Cyber Island" and a regional digital hub. It also acts as a feeder system for advanced programs like NOSiAkademia, which provides professional internships and certifications to graduates.

NOSiAkademia

NOSiAkademia is a strategic professional training and internship program managed by the Operational Nucleus for the Information Society (NOSi) in Cabo Verde. Launched in 2016, its primary mission is to bridge the gap between academic education and the professional labor market for recent graduates in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

Here are the key details about the program:

1. Objectives and Vision 

The program was established to equalize access to employment for new graduates by equipping them with high-demand technical skills and real-world project experience. It aims to discover and strengthen talent, ensuring that young professionals possess the necessary certifications and practical knowledge to succeed in the digital economy.

2. Key Components 

NOSiAkademia operates through several specific "valences" or sub-programs designed to address different stages of professional development:

• Professional Internships: This is the core activity, offering hands-on experience within NOSi's infrastructure and projects.
• Professional Certification: The program provides training that leads to industry-recognized certifications.
• JumpStart: A component designed to accelerate professional readiness.
• TicSeed: A pre-incubation program that supports early-stage ideas and potential startups.

3. Impact and Results 

The program has demonstrated significant success in fostering employability. Between its launch in 2016 and 2020, NOSiAkademia trained and empowered approximately 311 young people. Of these participants, more than 70% successfully entered the labor market.

4. Strategic Context

• Digital Economy Strategy: NOSiAkademia is identified as a key strength (Strength 15) in Cabo Verde's Digital Economy Strategy (EEDCV), recognized for its role in providing professional ICT internships.
• TechPark CV Connection: The program operates as a joint project associated with the Cabo Verde Technology Park (TechPark CV). During strategic planning discussions regarding the restructuring of NOSi, scenarios were considered where NOSiAkademia could potentially be spun off into a separate company focused on the "Support" market segment or even transformed into the management entity for the Technology Park.