Roles of government, private enterprises, professional organizations, and universities in fostering entrepreneurship and supporting innovation.
Ways in which innovations are adopted and diffused into diverse sectors such as medicine, agriculture, manufacturing, and communications, and especially in non-traditional fields or less economically vibrant areas.
Assessment of the role of higher education in advancing technologies and empowering young people, especially women and minorities, in tech fields.
Nuances in addressing technological and social challenges in non-traditional sectors or less economically vibrant regions.
IVLP at-a-glance:
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.
Each year nearly 5,000 International Visitors come to the U.S. on the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). More than 200,000 International Visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including more than 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.
The U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program on Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Training showcases a diverse group of participants from across the globe, each bringing unique geographic and professional backgrounds.
Barbados: Mr. Shannon Clarke, based in Christ Church, is the Director of Carepoint Solutions and Principal Software Developer at Konabos. His work primarily focuses on developing software for healthcare and fostering tech innovation in Barbados through hackathons and mentorship programs.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Miss Sharon Rose Kapinga Kabulwe from Kinshasa is the Student President at the University of Kinshasa and works with EXPUN/DRC. She is engaged in developing a revolutionary respirator and protective visors for healthcare professionals using 3-D printing, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving healthcare in the Congo.
Cote d’Ivoire: Ms. Assamala Ingrid Ruth Epezagne, based in Abidjan, is a Telecom engineer and the Regional Director for Africa, Francophone and Arab Countries at the African Agribusiness Incubator Network (AAIN). She is a multilingual entrepreneur supporting agricultural and ICT sectors across Africa.
India: Mr. Nasif Naduvileveedu Muhammed Najeeb, without a primary address listed, leads programs and initiatives at the Kerala StartUp Mission. His role involves supporting over 1,500 tech startups in India, focusing on stakeholder management, operations, and securing funding.
Iraq: Mr. Karwan Al-Dosakee from Duhok is the Director of Skills Development and Innovation at Duhok Polytechnic University. He is instrumental in promoting entrepreneurship and technological innovation among students and graduates in Iraq.
Lebanon: Mr. Fouad Abdallah, based in Beirut, is the Human Resources and Career Center Director at Antonine University. His extensive experience in HR and project management is leveraged to transform strategies into HR initiatives and enhance the university’s career development services.
Nigeria: Mr. Eliezer Chibundu Ezeh Ajah from Enugu is the Lead Talent Development and Outsourcing at Genesys Tech Hub. His work focuses on talent development in the tech sector, having trained over 700 young Nigerians in the latest technologies.
Norway: Ms. Karoline Løvall from Oslo is a Project Manager at Abelia, overseeing projects related to sustainability, equality, education, and digitalization. She previously managed the “Girls and Technology” program, aiming to increase female participation in STEM fields.
Pakistan: Mr. Syed Azfar Hussain from Karachi is the Project Director of the National Incubation Center Hyderabad. He has mentored 50 startups and led successful STEM hackathons, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s tech startup ecosystem.
Poland: Ms. Marcelina Firkowska, without a primary address listed, is the Head of Academic Entrepreneurship at the Foundation for Polish Science. She specializes in technology transfer and academic entrepreneurship, supporting the Polish science community.
Turkey: Mr. Kayahan Ince from Adana is a Science Teacher and Project Manager at the Provincial National Education Directorate. He coordinates science festivals and promotes STEAM education and entrepreneurship, particularly among K-12 students.
Rwanda: Ms. Mamy Ingabire Muziga from Kigali is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Charis UAS, Rwanda’s first drone company. Her work spans multiple African countries, focusing on using drone technology for agriculture, mining, and infrastructure inspection.
Spain: Mr. Jose Francisco Monserrat del Rio from Valencia is the Vice-Rector at the Universitat Politècnica de València. His research in 5G wireless systems and his role in university internationalization highlights his contributions to engineering and global engagement.
Taiwan: Ms. Sheau Tyng Peng from Taipei City is the Assistant to the Office of Minister Audrey Tang at the Ministry of Digital Affairs. She plays a crucial role in enhancing Taiwan’s digital infrastructure and policies, fostering technological advancements.
Tajikistan: Ms. Umedakhon Pulotova from Khujand City is the Director of LLC New Algorithm (IT Run Programming School). She focuses on IT education and job placement for course graduates, promoting IT skills among the youth in Tajikistan.
Thailand: Ms. Punthana Khamkhiao from Amphur Mueang is the Assistant Manager at the Technology Licensing Office of Chiang Mai University. Her work involves intellectual property management and technology commercialization, supporting innovation at the university.
Tunisia: Mr. Ahmed Maalel from Monastir is an Associate Professor at the Ministry of Higher Education. He co-founded the Association of Scientific Research and Innovation in Computer Science, organizing events to support young researchers and entrepreneurs in Tunisia.
