Google – the world’s largest search engine – brought the Ambassador programme to African countries like South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria, as part of an ongoing commitment to supporting education on the continent. Ambassadors will serve as Google’s representatives on campus – they will plan and host a few events during the academic year, introduce students to new Google products and features, create awareness about opportunities and act as campus contacts for teams from the Internet giant.  This will help Google understand campus culture and help the student ambassadors to build relations on campus and enhance their own professional development, leadership, technical and communication skills.

 

Seventeen students from five South African universities were chosen as Ambassadors. Apart from UP, ambassadors will also be active on the campuses of the University of Cape Town, the University of the Free State, Rhodes University and the Vaal Triangle University of Technology. The students come from various disciplines, such as computer science, engineering and business and speak several South African languages.

Mr Luke Mckend, Country Manager for Google South Africa, described the group of student ambassadors as motivated and energetic. “These young people understand the possibilities that the Internet presents for the continent and are dedicated to educate others about the web, as well as useful Google tools and services,” he said.