Constructor University student receives 2024 Diana Award for his impactful work in e-learning
Kinlo Ephriam Tangiri, a final-year Computer Science major at Constructor University received the prestigious Diana Award for 2024, an honor handed out annually in memory of the late Lady Diana, Princess of Wales. Kinlo received the accolade as a result of his work on the KET Academy, an e-learning platform providing academic resources, mentorship and orientation to high school students in his native Cameroon. Kinlo was bestowed the award at a ceremony in the UK in December 2024.
Inspired by his own experience with displacement and loss of access to formal education, Kinlo launched the KET Academy three years ago to mitigate the educational challenges faced by youth in conflict-affected regions of Cameroon. “I was honored to receive the Diana Award for my work on the KET Academy,” said Kinlo. “After years of dedicating my time, collaborating with other youths, and enduring sleepless nights to bring this platform to its current stage, this recognition reminds me that those efforts were not in vain and serves as a powerful motivation to keep developing and improving KET Academy.”
In just over three years, he has built a dedicated team of 25 young people—many of whom were displaced as well—tasked to run the e-learning platform. Kinlo said he was inspired to create the platform after witnessing the socio-political crisis in Cameroon firsthand. “Its mission is to provide high-school aged students, especially those affected by crises or natural disasters, with access to the academic resources needed to succeed.”
A final year student at Constructor University, Kinlo is a Computer Science major with a minor in Data Science, as well as an elective in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning—skills which he employs to expand the academy’s impact and develop an AI-powered learning platform. “I want to encourage everyone to strive to create something that positively impacts the world. There is profound satisfaction in knowing that your idea or solution is making a difference in someone's life. I deeply appreciate all the support I’ve received throughout this journey, especially from my academic advisor Prof. Jürgen Schönwälder, and my CUB mentor, Ibrahim Mbithi, alumnus of the class of 2006, as well as OpenDreams and Annika Mourer for also supporting my initiative and the application process."
The KET Academy offers academic resources, mentorship and 21st-century skills such as leadership, digital literacy and content creation, reaching over 15,000 young people. To learn more, visit KET Academy.
About the award
Given out annually, the Diana Award is available to young people exclusively through a nomination process. Now in its 25th year, it seeks to empower, encourage and inspire young people to affect meaningful change. Through a range of initiatives, it unlocks their potential, inspire action and create opportunities. The annual award recognizes these outstanding, impactful changemakers for their selfless dedication to creating and sustaining positive social change.
Questions answered by:
D. Scott Peterson | Corporate Communications
dpeterson@constructor.university | Tel.: 0172 367 7317