June 2009 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] Paypal Vs Mpesa
by Barrack Otieno 04 Feb '10

04 Feb '10

Honourable Members, I was just having a chat with a good friend who is a web developer over the issue of online payments. I realised paypal is common but the procedure and processes involved seem to be too complicated despite the fact that it is an important medium for online transactions globally. Does anyone has an idea of how we can encouarage local banks to interface with such systems to facilitate online transactions instead of the difficult route being undertaken currently, better still can mpesa be a viable option. They have an arrangement with pesa point which saved my neck on new year because of its efficiency can it be extended to facilitate online transactions international (say with Kenyans in diaspora Just curious On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > --- On Wed, 1/21/09, Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> wrote: > > > From: Okulo Anthony <anthony.okulo(a)okulo.co.ke> > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] Obama Speech puzzle: read, memorised or simply no > script? > > To: alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com > > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 12:22 AM > > Most good speakers especially litigation lawyers memories > > their speeches and when making the speech they rely on > > points so that it looks as if they are not reading a script. > > most likely Obama had his "points" on a screen in > > front of him. > > > > > > Anthony Okulo > > > > A trick we used in O-Levels to "cram" formulas, make "words" shortened > abbreviations for Chemistry, Geo, Bio, Hist, Maths etc.. It works wonders-- > only remember "new word" only known to thyself and Hey Presto! UR genius;) > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: otieno.barrack(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/otieno.barrack%40gmail… > -- Barrack O. Otieno ISSEN CONSULTING Tel: +254721325277 +254726544442 +254733206359 www.issenconsult.com http://projectdiscovery.or.ke To give up the task of reforming society is to give up ones responsibility as a free man. Alan Paton, South Africa

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May be of interest: IT-destination Africa
by Victor Gathara 20 Jul '09

20 Jul '09

Dear colleague, Many Dutch companies are currently investigating the advantages of offshore sourcing of IT-related projects. Although most of the work will be done in India or in Eastern Europe, there is also a growing interest for Africa. South-Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria are upcoming outsourcing destinations. The attached article: "The Next India" deals with this topic. A longer version of the article has just been placed on the website of The Broker: http://www.thebrokeronline.eu/en/articles/The-next-India <http://www.thebrokeronline.eu/en/articles/The-next-India> (and where comments can be added as well; a debate on IT and developing countries is being welcomed). The IT-promotion of Africa Most African nations are not yet well-known offshore destinations, and many promotional activities will be needed. Organizing business missions to Africa is an effective way to generate publicity. We are planning to organize an IT- and BPO-studytour to South-Africa (14 - 21 November 2009). The focus will be on software development, administrative and financial services and call centers. During this visit, we will also take part at an international outsourcing conference, organized by ITC (United Nations) and with delegations from various African countries. Information about these topics has been attached as well. It will be the first time for us to organize a public IT- and BPO-studytour to South-Africa, and we are inviting partners and sponsors to join us, in order to make this unique mission a successful event. With best regards, Paul Tjia (sr. consultant 'offshore sourcing') GPI Consultancy, P.O. Box 26151, 3002 ED Rotterdam, The Netherlands E-mail: paul(a)gpic.nl tel: +31-10-4254172 fax: +31-10-4254317 Website: www.gpic.nl N.B. Information about various topics, including the Dutch offshore market, can be found in my book: "Offshoring Information Technology - Sourcing and Outsourcing to a Global Workforce" (Cambridge University Press). The third print is now available: http://www.gpic.nl/bookTOC.pdf Our activities include: -the promotion of 'offshore IT sourcing' (through seminars, videofilms, publications and study tours) -consultancy (e.g. offshore strategy, feasibility study, country and partner selection, offshore transition) -intercultural training (e.g. 'how to deal with the Dutch business culture', 'how to deal with the Indian business culture') Please reply this message with the text 'Cancel' if you do not want to receive our E-mails DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the British Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more about the major global poverty challenges and get the facts on what DFID is doing to fight them: http://www.dfid.gov.uk ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned for all viruses by Peapod. The service is powered by MessageLabs. For more information on a proactive anti-virus service working around the clock, around the globe, visit: http://www.peapod.co.uk/cleanmail

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Fw: RE: One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses
by Walubengo J 08 Jul '09

08 Jul '09

forwarded--- On Thu, 6/25/09, Emmanuel Khisa <emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke> wrote: From: Emmanuel Khisa <emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke> Subject: RE: [kictanet] One subject,varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses To: "'Walubengo J'" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 10:11 AM And Project Discovery Kenya has been able to train more that 200 primary school teachers over the last five years in conjunction with Institute of Software technologies...I also know that similar training went on in Yala Division last April for Primary school teachers in the division organised by the Computers for Schools. On the subject of lack of adequate professors, I will leave that to Academicians and those keen on interrogating academics, I however would like the ICT training to move from over concentration with the academics and more to the more handson...more like incubator based learning approach...While the Far East economies have good universities, they still put more premium on handson skills...It is sad that even our graduate engineers let alone IT graduates (who by the way take a lot of flack) cannot invent or think outside the box...I mean no invention ever comes out of these highly restricted courses yet only a select few universities dare to venture into... The answer in my opinion lies in building skills that are more practical and focussed on creating entrepreneural opportunities. Rgds, Manu "New opinions are always suspected and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common." P Before printing, think about the Environment and your responsibilities -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa=kadet.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa=kadet.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Walubengo J Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:41 AM To: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject,varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses I agree that something is happening within the High-School teaching fraternity. Last April, Multimedia University College trained 80 high school headteachers from Samburu and I think Transmara Districts, giving them basic ICT skills...am aware Strathmore University, IAT etc also do such trainings regularly...It may not be enough, but its definitely a good kick in the right direction. As for the University Level IT faculty staff. Unfortunately the statistics are likely to be true. You can count the number of IT Professors in this country on your three fingers ;-) walu. --- On Wed, 6/24/09, Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: > From: Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 11:32 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Betty, > > > > Thanks for your response on the article > mentioned below. Will go > through it and perhaps respond on key issues raised, which > ICT in Education has > already done or planned. I hope it will minimize fears all > of us have or may be > persuaded to think all is totally misplaced and lost. > > > > > “ICT Integration” is currently Ministry > of Education focus, and > steps already put in place are expected to make Kenya > improve both teaching and > learning environment, with better education ‘products’ > across all levels. > > > > Kind regards > > > > B. K. Sang > > > > > > > > From: > kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] > On > Behalf Of Betty Ogange > > Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:31 PM > > To: Barnabas K. Sang > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality > - We lack an > accreditation system for ICT courses > > > > > > > > > Hallo David, > Last week there was furore in this forum > about media > misrepresentation of the Kenyan situation. The article > that you make > reference to in today’s Standard (24.06.09) may be > accurate in the areas that > you have highlighted. However, I wish to take issue with > a few points raised > in the article. http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316 > > ‘Unlike other academic fields, very > little has been done > to train most teachers in ICT skills. Currently, no > primary teacher training > college offers comprehensive pre-service training in > information technology.’ > > Anyone with a modest interest in education in > Kenya would not > miss something as obvious as a subject in the national > curriculum when reporting > in a national daily. Prior to the year 2004, a few > colleges had ICT skills > courses for pre-service teachers based on in-house > curricula that were > independently developed by each college. The Primary > Teacher Education (PTE) > ICT curriculum developed by the Kenya Institute of > Education has been in > force since the year 2004 and ICT is taught as a > compulsory subject in all > primary teacher training colleges. It is examined > internally at the end of > the first year and all students must pass in the subject, > among other > subjects, in order to proceed to second year. There are > several > implementation hitches in this programme arising from the > fact that ICT is > being taught as a discrete subject in the curriculum and > has yet to be > mainstreamed in the other subjects in the PTE curriculum. > The debate around > ICT- pedagogy integration in education and how to > operationalise it right > from curriculum development to classroom level > implementation continues in > the education circles. > > ‘In-service training is often > provided by trainers who > are just barely literate in > computers’ > > In my knowledge, this has happened especially > in instances when > some hardware providers ‘dangle’ teacher training as > an additional offer to > the institution. TTCs used to hire ICT technicians to > teach the course, but > in the last 2 years, the Teacher Service Commission has > posted trained > lecturers of ICT to a number of TTCs. There have also > been some highly > professional training offered to college lecturers by > Microsoft (in > conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Technology - > IAT) and the Kenya > Technical Teachers College. Computers for Schools Kenya > and the Nepad > e-schools teacher training programmes have also reached > teachers in selected > secondary schools. Lack of co-ordination (as with the > rest of the ICT > initiatives in Kenya ), lack of clear training targets > and time-lines have > compromised continuity and impact of some of these > training programmes. > > ‘The > entire ICT education is in tatters’ > An interesting analogy there. But I see a > sector that is struggling > with what some scholars in educational reform have called > an ‘implementation > dip’ – that for a number of reasons things normally > tend to get worse before > they can get better. There are lots of difficulties in > implementing large > scale ICT initiatives in the education sector world over. > In our country, > there have been positive efforts by the Ministry of > Education, the KIE and a > number of stakeholders in education, and these do count. > On the other hand, > there has been the tendency (by education leaders) > towards elaborate policy > documents, ‘ICT networks’ and trust funds whose > mandates remain > indeterminate. All these need to be researched and > accurately presented. > > Accurate reporting by the media and objective > analysis of both > the positives and difficulties are important in helping > the public target > their attention and effort. Besides the inaccuracies, the > use of expressions > such as ‘in tatters’ ‘the situation is bad’, > ‘alarmed professionals’ > ‘obsolete hardware’ to describe ICT in education in > Kenya sounds to me fairly > sensational. > > Betty > > > > > > --- On Wed, 6/24/09, David Otwoma > <otwomad(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > From: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We > lack an accreditation > system for ICT courses > > To: ogange(a)yahoo.com > > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 9:32 AM > > > .....universities > offer many degrees but their quality and market demand > differ...... > > > > > > Although > nearly all universities offer degrees, only the > University of Nairobi, Jomo > Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and > Strathmore have > Master’s programmes and only UON and Jkuat teach at > doctoral level. > > > There > is a diminishing number of staff with PhDs in ICT > departments. According to > Prof Rodrigues, UoN has the highest number of full-time > lecturers with PhDs > in ICT that stands at eight of 18, while Jkuat has three > of six, which is the > same number for Strathmore. > > > Kenyatta > University has nine full-time but none of them have a PhD > or an equivalent > qualification, while none of the Kabarak’s eight > lecturers have a PhD. Two of > six of United States International University has > doctoral degrees. > > > Many > lecturers have no experience as ICT professionals as > engineers, software > developers or in the emerging area of computer and > network security. > > > > > > See http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316& > for full story > > > > > > -- > > David Otwoma, > > Chief Science Secretary, > > National Council for Science and Technology, > > Utalii House 9th Floor, > > Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, > > Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, > > P. O. Box 5687 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya > > email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke > > www.ncst.go.ke > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: ogange(a)yahoo.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ogange%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emmanuel.khisa%40kadet. co.ke

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Re: [kictanet] Fw: RE: One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses
by Mwololo Tim 06 Jul '09

06 Jul '09

Bwana Sang, You have a point. We do not have strong OSS champions, especially in the public sector - at least not as powerful as the evangilists for proprietary software. This situation is not helped by a non-committal policy. Let me chew over how we can change things. Mwololo On 6/30/09, Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: > > Tim, > > > > I agree with you to some extent, that we all need revision of the current > ICT Policy to accommodate the key issues Kenya currently is focusing on. On > OSS, I still doubt capacity of “*OSS Champions*” on the issue having > observed in the past one year, how an opportunity to have 210 secondary > schools each equipped with 25 PCs and use both proprietary software and OSS > (Funds provided for) progressed. > > > > To date, no OSS proponents have brought any concept on how MOE can > facilitate the adoption and use of OSS. There are some brilliant OSS > solutions, particularly supporting teaching and learning (animated content > -> good for illustrations of difficult concepts in some subjects) and > development of content for use by all education and training stakeholders > (teachers, students, parents and researchers). > > > > I would like to acknowledge existence of sufficient leadership (policy and > managers) to support modernization of education (ICT integration to teaching > and learning). We may not have all necessary capacity yet for > decision-makers to guide the process, but in partnership with all > stakeholders, I believe OSS will definitely find a niche in the whole ICT > integration exercise being spearheaded by MOE. Perhaps people like yourself > and others in this network, could enlightened us on how OSS could be part of > ICT integration efforts at an early stage as possible. > > > > Kind Regards > > > > B. K. Sang > > > > *From:* kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke[mailto: > kictanet-bounces+bksang <kictanet-bounces%2Bbksang>=education.go.ke@ > lists.kictanet.or.ke] *On Behalf Of *Mwololo Tim > *Sent:* Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:02 AM > *To:* Barnabas K. Sang > *Cc:* KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > *Subject:* Re: [kictanet] Fw: RE: One subject, varying quality - We lack > an accreditation system for ICT courses > > > > Listers, > > > > Our 2006 national ICT policy is silent on open source software (OSS). As we > think of a review of this policy, which according to me is due due to a > number of issues (Vision 2030, BPO, and many other developments), we should > think seriously about a section on OSS policy. > > > > tim mwololo > > > > On 6/29/09, *Evans Ikua* <ikua(a)lpakenya.org> wrote: > > There is also Camara Kenya (the local office of camara.ie) that has done > tremendous work in the area of putting hardware in schools, both Primary and > Secondary, installing open source software, supporting them, and training > the teachers. This in a short period of time. > > Their work has mainly been in the coast region but they are also getting > into the hinterland. They have about 150 volunteers from Ireland who have > just come in and they will conduct trainings for about a month. > > They have equipped schools in the whole of Lamu island, and many schools at > the coast. > > They are achieving much more by using FOSS as a computer installed with > Linux gives much more to a student as opposed to one installed with Windows. > Because they are not spending a penny on software licenses, they are able to > supply like twice the number of PCs than if they were to have the schools > buy licenses. > > Ikua > > -- > Evans Ikua > Linux Professional Association of Kenya > Tel: +254-20-2250381, Cell: +254-722 955 831 > Eagle House, 2nd Floor > Kimathi Street, Opp. Corner House > www.lpakenya.org > > > > > Quoting Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com>: > > forwarded--- On Thu, 6/25/09, Emmanuel Khisa <emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke> > wrote: > > From: Emmanuel Khisa <emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke> > Subject: RE: [kictanet] One subject,varying quality - We lack an > accreditation system for ICT courses > To: "'Walubengo J'" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> > Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 10:11 AM > > And Project Discovery Kenya has been able to train more that 200 primary > school teachers over the last five years in conjunction with Institute of > Software technologies...I also know that similar training went on in Yala > Division last April for Primary school teachers in the division organised > by > the Computers for Schools. > On the subject of lack of adequate professors, I will leave that to > Academicians and those keen on interrogating academics, I however would > like > the ICT training to move from over concentration with the academics and > more > to the more handson...more like incubator based learning approach...While > the Far East economies have good universities, they still put more premium > on handson skills...It is sad that even our graduate engineers let alone IT > graduates (who by the way take a lot of flack) cannot invent or think > outside the box...I mean no invention ever comes out of these highly > restricted courses yet only a select few universities dare to venture > into... > > The answer in my opinion lies in building skills that are more practical > and > focussed on creating entrepreneural opportunities. > > Rgds, > > Manu > > "New opinions are always suspected and usually opposed, without any other > reason but because they are not already common." > P Before printing, think about the Environment and your responsibilities > -----Original Message----- > From: kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa=kadet.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa<kictanet-bounces%2Bemmanuel.khisa> > =kadet.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] On > Behalf Of Walubengo J > Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:41 AM > To: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject,varying quality - We lack an > accreditation system for ICT courses > > > I agree that something is happening within the High-School teaching > fraternity. Last April, Multimedia University College trained 80 high > school > headteachers from Samburu and I think Transmara Districts, giving them > basic > ICT skills...am aware Strathmore University, IAT etc also do such trainings > regularly...It may not be enough, but its definitely a good kick in the > right direction. > > As for the University Level IT faculty staff. Unfortunately the statistics > are likely to be true. You can count the number of IT Professors in this > country on your three fingers ;-) > > walu. > > > > --- On Wed, 6/24/09, Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: > > From: Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an > > accreditation system for ICT courses > > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 11:32 PM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Betty, > > > > Thanks for your response on the article > mentioned below. Will go > through it and perhaps respond on key issues raised, which > ICT in Education has > already done or planned. I hope it will minimize fears all > of us have or may be > persuaded to think all is totally misplaced and lost. > > > > > ?ICT Integration? is currently Ministry > of Education focus, and > steps already put in place are expected to make Kenya > improve both teaching and > learning environment, with better education ?products? > across all levels. > > > > Kind regards > > > > B. K. Sang > > > > > > > > From: > kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bksang <kictanet-bounces%2Bbksang>= > education.go.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke] > On > Behalf Of Betty Ogange > > Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:31 PM > > To: Barnabas K. Sang > > Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions > > Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality > - We lack an > accreditation system for ICT courses > > > > > > > > > Hallo David, > Last week there was furore in this forum > about media > misrepresentation of the Kenyan situation. The article > that you make > reference to in today?s Standard (24.06.09) may be > accurate in the areas that > you have highlighted. However, I wish to take issue with > a few points raised > in the article. > > http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316 > > > ?Unlike other academic fields, very > little has been done > to train most teachers in ICT skills. Currently, no > primary teacher training > college offers comprehensive pre-service training in > information technology.? > > Anyone with a modest interest in education in > Kenya would not > miss something as obvious as a subject in the national > curriculum when reporting > in a national daily. Prior to the year 2004, a few > colleges had ICT skills > courses for pre-service teachers based on in-house > curricula that were > independently developed by each college. The Primary > Teacher Education (PTE) > ICT curriculum developed by the Kenya Institute of > Education has been in > force since the year 2004 and ICT is taught as a > compulsory subject in all > primary teacher training colleges. It is examined > internally at the end of > the first year and all students must pass in the subject, > among other > subjects, in order to proceed to second year. There are > several > implementation hitches in this programme arising from the > fact that ICT is > being taught as a discrete subject in the curriculum and > has yet to be > mainstreamed in the other subjects in the PTE curriculum. > The debate around > ICT- pedagogy integration in education and how to > operationalise it right > from curriculum development to classroom level > implementation continues in > the education circles. > > ?In-service training is often > provided by trainers who > are just barely literate in > computers? > > In my knowledge, this has happened especially > in instances when > some hardware providers ?dangle? teacher training as > an additional offer to > the institution. TTCs used to hire ICT technicians to > teach the course, but > in the last 2 years, the Teacher Service Commission has > posted trained > lecturers of ICT to a number of TTCs. There have also > been some highly > professional training offered to college lecturers by > Microsoft (in > conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Technology - > IAT) and the Kenya > Technical Teachers College. Computers for Schools Kenya > and the Nepad > e-schools teacher training programmes have also reached > teachers in selected > secondary schools. Lack of co-ordination (as with the > rest of the ICT > initiatives in Kenya ), lack of clear training targets > and time-lines have > compromised continuity and impact of some of these > training programmes. > > ?The > entire ICT education is in tatters? > An interesting analogy there. But I see a > sector that is struggling > with what some scholars in educational reform have called > an ?implementation > dip? ? that for a number of reasons things normally > tend to get worse before > they can get better. There are lots of difficulties in > implementing large > scale ICT initiatives in the education sector world over. > In our country, > there have been positive efforts by the Ministry of > Education, the KIE and a > number of stakeholders in education, and these do count. > On the other hand, > there has been the tendency (by education leaders) > towards elaborate policy > documents, ?ICT networks? and trust funds whose > mandates remain > indeterminate. All these need to be researched and > accurately presented. > > Accurate reporting by the media and objective > analysis of both > the positives and difficulties are important in helping > the public target > their attention and effort. Besides the inaccuracies, the > use of expressions > such as ?in tatters? ?the situation is bad?, > ?alarmed professionals? > ?obsolete hardware? to describe ICT in education in > Kenya sounds to me fairly > sensational. > > Betty > > > > > > --- On Wed, 6/24/09, David Otwoma > <otwomad(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > From: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We > lack an accreditation > system for ICT courses > > To: ogange(a)yahoo.com > > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" > <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > > Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 9:32 AM > > > .....universities > offer many degrees but their quality and market demand > differ...... > > > > > > Although > nearly all universities offer degrees, only the > University of Nairobi, Jomo > Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and > Strathmore have > Master?s programmes and only UON and Jkuat teach at > doctoral level. > > > There > is a diminishing number of staff with PhDs in ICT > departments. According to > Prof Rodrigues, UoN has the highest number of full-time > lecturers with PhDs > in ICT that stands at eight of 18, while Jkuat has three > of six, which is the > same number for Strathmore. > > > Kenyatta > University has nine full-time but none of them have a PhD > or an equivalent > qualification, while none of the Kabarak?s eight > lecturers have a PhD. Two of > six of United States International University has > doctoral degrees. > > > Many > lecturers have no experience as ICT professionals as > engineers, software > developers or in the emerging area of computer and > network security. > > > > > > See > > http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316& > > for full story > > > > > > -- > > David Otwoma, > > Chief Science Secretary, > > National Council for Science and Technology, > > Utalii House 9th Floor, > > Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, > > Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, > > P. O. Box 5687 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya > > email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke > > www.ncst.go.ke > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: ogange(a)yahoo.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ogange%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emmanuel.khisa%40kadet > . > co.ke > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: timwololo(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/timwololo%40gmail.com > > >

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Quotations Invited: ICT standards web portal
by Gakuru Alex 03 Jul '09

03 Jul '09

Local Software Developers/ICT Solution providers, You are hereby invited to submit quotations for the provision of: 1. Open Source website Content Management System (CMS) services 2. Open Source website Document Management System (DMS) services Your quotation should include, among others, CMS: a) customisation costs, b) cost of template, c) deployment costs d) cost of training 4 persons (administrator and 3 users) e) post installation & training support costs f) etc.. DMS: a) customisation costs, b) cost of template, c) deployment costs d) cost of training 4 persons (administrator and 3 users) e) post installation & training support costs f) etc.. If you feel that you can offer above ICT services please send your quotations by email to the undersigned addressed to: Alex Gakuru, The Chairman, Working Group, SC 34 Technical Committee(TC), Kenya Bureau of Standards email: gakuru(a)gmail.com

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Re: [kictanet] shaping history - the revolution of the fibre
by Walubengo J 01 Jul '09

01 Jul '09

good qtn MM. In some forums, they are saying the President was duped again - and officially opened another "blank". We need to know when or if this new pipe is now pumping packets/data. And I dont think such data falls under the (in?) famous " Official secrecy Act"... walu. --- On Fri, 6/26/09, Muriuki Mureithi <mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke> wrote: From: Muriuki Mureithi <mureithi(a)summitstrategies.co.ke> Subject: [kictanet] shaping history - the revolution of the fibre To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Friday, June 26, 2009, 4:40 PM Hi history was made on 12th June when the fibre landed - and it threatens to open up the region like the railway did in 1900's... Special congrats to Dr Bitange Ndemo and all those who contributed to this revolution . the ict terrain will never be the same again -EVER the next step is the light and the byte. when will the first byte land here on the fibre? cheers Muriuki Mureithi _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com

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Re: [kictanet] Fw: RE: One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses
by John Kariuki 30 Jun '09

30 Jun '09

Tim, Please look at the ICT Policy of 2006 again and you will find that it is not silent on Open Source Software. I am sure other listers can confirm this. Eng. J.N. Kariuki. --- On Tue, 30/6/09, Mwololo Tim <timwololo(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Mwololo Tim <timwololo(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Fw: RE: One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses To: ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, 30 June, 2009, 6:02 AM Listers, Our 2006 national ICT policy is silent on open source software (OSS). As we think of a review of this policy, which according to me is due due to a number of issues (Vision 2030, BPO, and many other developments), we should think seriously about a section on OSS policy. tim mwololo On 6/29/09, Evans Ikua <ikua(a)lpakenya.org> wrote: There is also Camara Kenya (the local office of camara.ie) that has done tremendous work in the area of putting hardware in schools, both Primary and Secondary, installing open source software, supporting them, and training the teachers. This in a short period of time. Their work has mainly been in the coast region but they are also getting into the hinterland. They have about 150 volunteers from Ireland who have just come in and they will conduct trainings for about a month. They have equipped schools in the whole of Lamu island, and many schools at the coast. They are achieving much more by using FOSS as a computer installed with Linux gives much more to a student as opposed to one installed with Windows. Because they are not spending a penny on software licenses, they are able to supply like twice the number of PCs than if they were to have the schools buy licenses. Ikua -- Evans Ikua Linux Professional Association of Kenya Tel: +254-20-2250381, Cell: +254-722 955 831 Eagle House, 2nd Floor Kimathi Street, Opp. Corner House www.lpakenya.org Quoting Walubengo J <jwalu(a)yahoo.com>: forwarded--- On Thu, 6/25/09, Emmanuel Khisa <emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke> wrote: From: Emmanuel Khisa <emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke> Subject: RE: [kictanet] One subject,varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses To: "'Walubengo J'" <jwalu(a)yahoo.com> Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009, 10:11 AM And Project Discovery Kenya has been able to train more that 200 primary school teachers over the last five years in conjunction with Institute of Software technologies...I also know that similar training went on in Yala Division last April for Primary school teachers in the division organised by the Computers for Schools. On the subject of lack of adequate professors, I will leave that to Academicians and those keen on interrogating academics, I however would like the ICT training to move from over concentration with the academics and more to the more handson...more like incubator based learning approach...While the Far East economies have good universities, they still put more premium on handson skills...It is sad that even our graduate engineers let alone IT graduates (who by the way take a lot of flack) cannot invent or think outside the box...I mean no invention ever comes out of these highly restricted courses yet only a select few universities dare to venture into... The answer in my opinion lies in building skills that are more practical and focussed on creating entrepreneural opportunities. Rgds, Manu "New opinions are always suspected and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common." P Before printing, think about the Environment and your responsibilities -----Original Message----- From: kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa=kadet.co.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+emmanuel.khisa=kadet.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Walubengo J Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:41 AM To: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject,varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses I agree that something is happening within the High-School teaching fraternity. Last April, Multimedia University College trained 80 high school headteachers from Samburu and I think Transmara Districts, giving them basic ICT skills...am aware Strathmore University, IAT etc also do such trainings regularly...It may not be enough, but its definitely a good kick in the right direction. As for the University Level IT faculty staff. Unfortunately the statistics are likely to be true. You can count the number of IT Professors in this country on your three fingers ;-) walu. --- On Wed, 6/24/09, Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> wrote: From: Barnabas K. Sang <bksang(a)education.go.ke> Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 11:32 PM Betty, Thanks for your response on the article mentioned below. Will go through it and perhaps respond on key issues raised, which ICT in Education has already done or planned. I hope it will minimize fears all of us have or may be persuaded to think all is totally misplaced and lost. ?ICT Integration? is currently Ministry of Education focus, and steps already put in place are expected to make Kenya improve both teaching and learning environment, with better education ?products? across all levels. Kind regards B. K. Sang From: kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+bksang=education.go.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Betty Ogange Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:31 PM To: Barnabas K. Sang Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: Re: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses Hallo David, Last week there was furore in this forum about media misrepresentation of the Kenyan situation. The article that you make reference to in today?s Standard (24.06.09) may be accurate in the areas that you have highlighted. However, I wish to take issue with a few points raised in the article. http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316 ?Unlike other academic fields, very little has been done to train most teachers in ICT skills. Currently, no primary teacher training college offers comprehensive pre-service training in information technology.? Anyone with a modest interest in education in Kenya would not miss something as obvious as a subject in the national curriculum when reporting in a national daily. Prior to the year 2004, a few colleges had ICT skills courses for pre-service teachers based on in-house curricula that were independently developed by each college. The Primary Teacher Education (PTE) ICT curriculum developed by the Kenya Institute of Education has been in force since the year 2004 and ICT is taught as a compulsory subject in all primary teacher training colleges. It is examined internally at the end of the first year and all students must pass in the subject, among other subjects, in order to proceed to second year. There are several implementation hitches in this programme arising from the fact that ICT is being taught as a discrete subject in the curriculum and has yet to be mainstreamed in the other subjects in the PTE curriculum. The debate around ICT- pedagogy integration in education and how to operationalise it right from curriculum development to classroom level implementation continues in the education circles. ?In-service training is often provided by trainers who are just barely literate in computers? In my knowledge, this has happened especially in instances when some hardware providers ?dangle? teacher training as an additional offer to the institution. TTCs used to hire ICT technicians to teach the course, but in the last 2 years, the Teacher Service Commission has posted trained lecturers of ICT to a number of TTCs. There have also been some highly professional training offered to college lecturers by Microsoft (in conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Technology - IAT) and the Kenya Technical Teachers College. Computers for Schools Kenya and the Nepad e-schools teacher training programmes have also reached teachers in selected secondary schools. Lack of co-ordination (as with the rest of the ICT initiatives in Kenya ), lack of clear training targets and time-lines have compromised continuity and impact of some of these training programmes. ?The entire ICT education is in tatters? An interesting analogy there. But I see a sector that is struggling with what some scholars in educational reform have called an ?implementation dip? ? that for a number of reasons things normally tend to get worse before they can get better. There are lots of difficulties in implementing large scale ICT initiatives in the education sector world over. In our country, there have been positive efforts by the Ministry of Education, the KIE and a number of stakeholders in education, and these do count. On the other hand, there has been the tendency (by education leaders) towards elaborate policy documents, ?ICT networks? and trust funds whose mandates remain indeterminate. All these need to be researched and accurately presented. Accurate reporting by the media and objective analysis of both the positives and difficulties are important in helping the public target their attention and effort. Besides the inaccuracies, the use of expressions such as ?in tatters? ?the situation is bad?, ?alarmed professionals? ?obsolete hardware? to describe ICT in education in Kenya sounds to me fairly sensational. Betty --- On Wed, 6/24/09, David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: David Otwoma <otwomad(a)gmail.com> Subject: [kictanet] One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses To: ogange(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 9:32 AM .....universities offer many degrees but their quality and market demand differ...... Although nearly all universities offer degrees, only the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Strathmore have Master?s programmes and only UON and Jkuat teach at doctoral level. There is a diminishing number of staff with PhDs in ICT departments. According to Prof Rodrigues, UoN has the highest number of full-time lecturers with PhDs in ICT that stands at eight of 18, while Jkuat has three of six, which is the same number for Strathmore. Kenyatta University has nine full-time but none of them have a PhD or an equivalent qualification, while none of the Kabarak?s eight lecturers have a PhD. Two of six of United States International University has doctoral degrees. Many lecturers have no experience as ICT professionals as engineers, software developers or in the emerging area of computer and network security. See http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316& for full story -- David Otwoma, Chief Science Secretary, National Council for Science and Technology, Utalii House 9th Floor, Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, P. O. Box 5687 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke www.ncst.go.ke -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: ogange(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ogange%40yahoo.com -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/jwalu%40yahoo.com _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: emmanuel.khisa(a)kadet.co.ke Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/emmanuel.khisa%40kadet. co.ke _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: timwololo(a)gmail.com Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/timwololo%40gmail.com -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ kictanet mailing list kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet This message was sent to: ngethe.kariuki2007(a)yahoo.co.uk Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ngethe.kariuki2007%40y…

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BPO Study Stakeholder's Workshop: REMINDER
by munyiva ngea 30 Jun '09

30 Jun '09

Dear Listeners, Please remember that the BPO Study titled 'Development of a Business Process Outsourcing Industry in Kenya: Critical Success Factors',that was funded by the International Development Research Centre(IDRC)and conducted by The School of Computing and Informatics, University of Nairobi, in collaboration with the Kenya BPO & Contact Centre Society and the Kenya ICT Board ,will be holding a stakeholder's workshop tomorrow *Wednesday 1st July at Kenyatta International Conference Center(KICC) from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm.* Please email your confirmation of attendance to: munyiva(a)uonbi.ac.ke <http://mail.uonbi.ac.ke/src/compose.php?send_to=munyiva%40uonbi.ac.ke>. We look forward to interacting and exchanging ideas with you at the workshop. Please find attached the program for the event. Yours Faithfully, Ms. Munyiva Ngea, Project Assistant On behalf of: Prof. Timothy Mwololo Waema BPO Research Project Team Leader

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One subject, varying quality - We lack an accreditation system for ICT courses
by David Otwoma 29 Jun '09

29 Jun '09

.....universities offer many degrees but their quality and market demand differ...... Although nearly all universities offer degrees, only the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Strathmore have Master’s programmes and only UON and Jkuat teach at doctoral level. There is a diminishing number of staff with PhDs in ICT departments. According to Prof Rodrigues, UoN has the highest number of full-time lecturers with PhDs in ICT that stands at eight of 18, while Jkuat has three of six, which is the same number for Strathmore. Kenyatta University has nine full-time but none of them have a PhD or an equivalent qualification, while none of the Kabarak’s eight lecturers have a PhD. Two of six of United States International University has doctoral degrees. Many lecturers have no experience as ICT professionals as engineers, software developers or in the emerging area of computer and network security. See http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316&<http://www.eastandard.net/education/InsidePage.php?id=1144017693&cid=316> for full story -- David Otwoma, Chief Science Secretary, National Council for Science and Technology, Utalii House 9th Floor, Mobile tel: +254 722 141771, Office tel: +254 (0)20 2346915, P. O. Box 5687 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya email: otwomad(a)gmail.com & otwoma(a)ncst.go.ke www.ncst.go.ke

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shaping history - the revolution of the fibre
by Muriuki Mureithi 26 Jun '09

26 Jun '09

Hi history was made on 12th June when the fibre landed - and it threatens to open up the region like the railway did in 1900's... Special congrats to Dr Bitange Ndemo and all those who contributed to this revolution . the ict terrain will never be the same again -EVER the next step is the light and the byte. when will the first byte land here on the fibre? cheers Muriuki Mureithi

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