Author: Andrew Kedi

We are excited to announce that we’ve collaborated with the ICT Teachers Association of Uganda ( ITAU) to work on an invitation letter for the Uganda Website Projects Competition 2024, now available for download. This letter is specifically addressed to schools, inviting ICT club students and teachers to participate in this transformative event. Scheduled for July 5th, 2024, at the National ICT Innovation Hub, the competition promises a day filled with innovation, creativity, and learning.

Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their WordPress projects in two competitive categories: the Rising Stars for primary and secondary students, and the Explorers for those at vocational and tertiary institutions. The event will also include hands-on workshops, expert panel discussions, and an awards ceremony to honor outstanding projects.

Schools are encouraged to support their students in submitting projects by the May 30th deadline. The invitation letter provides all the necessary details about the event schedule, participation guidelines, and how to submit entries. It also includes information on how schools can obtain tickets / registration and the benefits of attending, such as access to workshops, networking opportunities, and more.

Download the invitation letter for more details. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the future of technology and education.

Organized under the theme, “Problem Solving With WordPress”, Uganda Website Projects Competition 2024 is a dynamic Next Gen WordCamp event where students will showcase their innovative WordPress–powered projects under two categories: the Rising Stars category (for Primary and Secondary Schools) and Explorers category (for Post-Secondary vocational schools, technical training institutes, universities, and colleges). Set for July 5th, 2024, at the National ICT Innovation Hub located within the Uganda Institute of ICT (UICT) Nakawa–Kampala, this day-long pitching competition promises a blend of learning, networking, and celebration.

As you prepare to compete in the Uganda Website Projects Competition 2024, it’s crucial to understand the evaluation criteria and how to optimize your WordPress project to meet these standards set by the organizers. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare in each evaluation area:

Criteria 1: Innovation & Creativity

Objective: Demonstrate how effectively your project utilizes WordPress features and plugins to bring innovative ideas to life.

Guide: Your WordPress project should be a testament to your creativity and your ability to leverage WordPress’s extensive features and plugins innovatively. Consider how your project can use unique themes, plugins, and custom functionalities to stand out. Whether it’s a groundbreaking e-commerce solution, an educational platform, or a social network, the key is to demonstrate how your project uses WordPress in ways that are not only creative but also add significant value to society.

Criteria 2: Technical Execution

Objective: Ensure the project is implemented proficiently with great standards of setup, design, SEO, performance, and security.

Guide: The backbone of any great WordPress project is its technical robustness. Your project will be evaluated for its professional standards: adherence to best practices in design, SEO, performance, and security. Pay attention to the site’s load time, responsiveness across devices, and security measures to protect against vulnerabilities. Implementing SEO best practices will also enhance your project’s visibility and usability.

Criteria 3: Usability & Accessibility

Objective: Evaluate the ease of use and navigation of the site, along with its accessibility to users with different abilities.

Guide: A successful WordPress project is one that provides an exceptional user experience. This means your site should be speed optimized / fast to load, intuitive, easy to navigate, and accessible to users with varying abilities. Incorporating accessibility features and following WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) can make your site more inclusive, catering to a wider audience. Test your site’s usability with real users to identify and improve potential navigational hurdles.

Criteria 4: Presentation & Team Dynamics

Objective: Assess the team collaboration, ability to effectively communicate their project pitch and time management.

Guide: The way you present your project can significantly impact its reception. This includes both the visual presentation slides, the website demo, and how your team confidently communicates the idea, process, and value during the competition. Rehearse your presentation delivery, ensuring you can clearly articulate your project’s concept, development process, and the problem it solves within 5 minutes. Team dynamics are also crucial; show how each member contributed to the project.

Criteria 5: Problem-Solving & Impact

Objective: Show how the project addresses significant needs or challenges.

Guide: The essence of any project lies in its ability to solve real-world problems. Highlight how your WordPress project directly addresses a specific challenge or need within your target community or industry. Be prepared to discuss the impact of your solution and how it improves upon existing solutions. Use data and real-world evidence/examples to support how your project solves these problems effectively. Projects with a clear understanding of the problem space and a measurable impact will stand out.

Criteria 6: Business Model & Sustainability

Objective: Display a clear and sustainable business model that addresses specific market needs.

Guide: Your project should showcase a sustainable business model. This means identifying a specific market need your project addresses (with user demographics to justify your project’s market need) and outlining a viable plan for its scalability and longevity. Judges will look for projects with the potential to grow and continue delivering value over time. Whether through advertising, subscriptions, or another revenue model, be clear about how your project will sustain itself financially.

By carefully addressing these criteria and incorporating feedback from your peers and mentors, you can refine your WordPress project into a compelling, innovative, and impactful competition entry. Remember, the Uganda Website Projects Competition 2024 is not just about winning; it’s an opportunity to learn, network, and showcase your skills to the world.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your groundbreaking WordPress projects! Submit here.