March 2010 - KICTANet

ICANN At_Large meeting: Sunday 7th, 5:00-7:00pm
by Walubengo J 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

Press Release African At-Large Structures to Showcase their Activities at ICANN's 37th International Meeting in Nairobi on 7 March 2010 Speakers to include ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom and Dr. Nii Quaynor, winner of the 2007 Postel Award The Kenyan capital of Nairobi has been chosen to host ICANN’s 37th International Public Meeting from 7 to 12 March 2010. The meeting is scheduled to be held in Africa in accordance with ICANN’s practice of rotating its three annual international meetings through different regions of the world. More than 1,000 attendees from every corner of the globe are gathering to participate in wide ranging discussions that could help define the way we use the Internet. From an African perspective one of the focal points of the 37th ICANN meeting is the showcase of the African Regional At–Large Organization of ICANN (AFRALO) that will take place on Sunday, 7 March between 5:30 p.m and 7:00 p.m. in the Delegates Lounge of the KICC. read more from the attachment.

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Burundi carriers form Africa’s first national infrastructure consortium to develop fibre backbone
by Eric M.K Osiakwan 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

One of Africa’s smallest countries is pioneering the use of a carriers’ consortium to develop its national fibre backbone and international links with help from the World Bank. Burundi Backbone Systems will oversee the development of a 1,200 kms backbone and several new international fibre links connecting the country to its neighbours in the next 18 months. The consortium brings together as shareholders the four main fixed and mobile operators (incumbent Onatel; Leo, formerly U-Com, part of Telecel Globe; Africell, owned by V-Tel and Palestinian Paltel; and Econet) and an ISP (CBI Net). The two main mobile players are Onamob, the incumbent’s mobile subsidiary, with an estimated 600,000 subscribers and Leo with 400,000 subscribers. The D-Gs and CEOs of the shareholders make up the Board of the Consortium and will appoint the senior management team. David Easum, formerly of Telecel Globe, has been appointed as Interim CEO. The World Bank contibution to the capital project means that it will provide coverage throughout the country, laid alongside road routes, with 26 different nodes. It will be 18 months before the network is materially complete. However, before that date, the important international fibre link to the Rwandan border post will be completed. This has been the primary reason that the operators have got involved in the project. Currently all international traffic goes via satellite, with a small element via microwave to Rwanda. Currently operators paying between US$2,500-3,000 per mbps per month. The Consortium will not actually sell bandwidth as this will be done by the participating shareholders. The headline international price is likely to be between US$1,000-1,500 but some of the partners may get capacity at nearer to US$500. Two of the shareholders – Onatel and Leo – have shares in EASSy (through WIOCC) and also have shares in its inland vehicle, the East African Backbone System. These shareholdings will form part of the two companies’ equity in the consortium. National fibre prices will not be distance-based. There are potentially five international border crossing links. There will be two connections with Rwanda in the North and in the North West of the country one or two connections to DRC. Finally in the North-East, close to one of the Rwanda connections, is another connection to a fibre ring in Tanzania. Meanwhile on the other side of the continent, Maroc Telecom is filling in a crucial cross-border fibre link between Morocco and Mauritania. This move forms part of a broader two-stage project with the aim of linking Maroc Telecom's African operations together (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gabon) and to provide them with onwards international capacity (via the Mediterranean fibre cables). The first stage of the project (being rolled out) is to connect Mauritania to Morocco via a terrestrial fibre link. Maroc Telecom is currently rolling out a link from Laayoune in the south of Morocco to Nouakchott the capital of Mauritania. This link is 60% completed and will be ready for use by the end of this year. The length of this link is about 3,000km (over 2,000 km in Morocco and about 700 km in Mauritania). The second stage of the project is to extend this link to Burkina Faso via Mali. This is still at the feasibility study stage. This may all form part of Maroc Telecom’s broader strategy of making further acquisitions in Africa and will almost certainly give them cheaper capacity than is currently available via SAT3 in either Dakar or Abidjan. (Source - Balancing Act - www.balancingact-africa.com) NB: Sorry for crossposting Eric M.K Osiakwan Director Internet Research www.internetresearch.com.gh emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh 42 Ring Road Central, Accra-North Tel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031 Fax: +233.21.258811 Cell: +233.24.4386792

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Account Managers
by Samuel Gichuru 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

Position Requirements: 1. University degree or college diploma , Business Administration preferably or relevant business course. 2. Atleast 1 years experience in the service industry, IT an added advantage. 3. Driven to meeting Targets. 4. Skills in Customer Service, Prospecting Skills, Presentation Skills, Negotiation, Closing Skills, Client Relationships, Product Knowledge, Motivation for Sales and strong interpersonal skills. 5. Competent with various software programs, proposal writting, contract reviews and research into emerging techologies with a view to understand customer needs. 6. Experience at working both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment is essential and can conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities. 7. Ability to read communication styles of team members and clients who come from a broad spectrum of disciplines. 8. Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including upper management, clients, and other departments. 9. The ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment is crucial. 10. A basic understanding of IT i.e websites, softwares etc Work Conditions 1. Overtime may be required in meet customer deadlines. 2. Physically able to participate in presentations, and meetings. 3. Some travel may be required for the purpose of meeting with clients, stakeholders, or off-site personnel/management. *Email: gichuru(a)gmail.com * -- Warm Regards -------------------------------------- Sam Gichuru Web Design / E- Commerce Solutions Ideas Africa Limited - The Web Design and Hosting Company Tel : 020-2098985 Cell: 0722-730565 /0733730565 Web: www.ideasafrica.com

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BUSINESS PROGRAMME FOR CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS
by John Matogo 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

Dear colleagues, This may be relevant to software developers on the list. The British Council and Strathmore University have developed a training program on business management skills for entrepreneurs in the Creative Industry. The aim of this program is to improve the financial and management skills of entrepreneurs in all sub-sectors of the Creative Industry (Advertising, Architecture, Art and Antique markets, Broadcasting, Crafts, Design(Including Fashion),Film, Video and Photography, Software development, computer games and electronic publishing, Music & the Visual and Performing Arts (incl. Theatre) and Publishing). We have a few opportunities available for 90%-paid scholarships to some entrepreneurs. We invite you to apply for this training. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must: * Be practicing entrepreneurs or about to start their own business * Work in the creative industry (see sub-sectors in the attached application form) * Complete the attached application form * Pay a fee of Kshs. 5,000 Kindly find attached the application form. Do feel free to contact me for more information. Regards, John Matogo Programme Manager Strathmore Enterprise Development Centre (SEDC) Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: 020 606155 ext 2280 Email: jmatogo(a)strathmore.edu<mailto:jmatogo@strathmore.edu> Web: <http://www.strathmore.edu> <http://www.strathmore.edu/sedc> www.strathmore.edu/sedc<http://www.strathmore.edu/sedc> ________________________________ Strathmore University provides all-round education in an atmosphere of freedom and responsibility. This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for use by the recipient(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential information. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete this email and/or any files attached to it from your computer. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Strathmore University. The University accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss or damages incurred, or suffered, resulting, or arising, from the use of this email and/or its attachments. The University warrants neither the integrity of the e-mail nor its freedom from errors, viruses, interception or any other form of interference. …………………………………………………………………. Website: www.strathmore.edu

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UCT EXECUTIVE TRAINING- ICT Policy
by Cecilia Matanga 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

for your information

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tom sitati's email, phone contacts?
by michael Ouma 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

Hi all: could anyone please provide me with tom sitati's email and phone contacts please? i'll really appreciate. i need to get a comment from him. thanks. Michael Ouma Journalist Kenya Tel:+254-725-537823 "Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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On Education and Technology
by Matunda Nyanchama 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

Friends, I am glad to hear that KIE has plans of taking advantage of technology to deliver education to Kenya kids. I am pleased. Question: do we really believe that we would have better education results because of technology? My view is that any improvements (all things constant) with use of technology would be incremental. There are too many things wrong with the Kenyan education system; things that can be fixed with a clear sober assessment of why we are where we are. Education needs to be grounded in what ought to be "Kenyan national values and objectives"; it needs to focus on national priorities and help create a better, productive citizen than just passing examinations. It needs to appreciated the role of women in society, complete with values of equity, especially with respect to access. Indeed, we need to appreciate the key role that gender plays in the national well-being. Kenya's education promises kids jobs at the end of their schooling; but we know that the economy doesn't have the capacity to absorb even the "few" that make it through the system, passing through the examination filters; let alone the many that don't make it through grade 8, 12 and even university. We should instead be entrenching a business culture and risk-taking, and create an environment that nurtures such risk taking and in the process realize goods and services, and hence employment. The Kenyan environment (wrought by greed and corruption) isn't supportive of entrenchment of good national values. For example, what values do we pass to our kids when they watch big men steal money meant for kids' education? What of the fact that teachers, rather than do their jobs, would rather be at the shambas, dukas, matatus, etc. at the expense of doing their work. Contrast today's teacher and those of yesteryear, men and women that would be found in class at 6:00 AM helping kids; and even stay in evening preps to offer extra coaching for those that needed it. Today, .... I don't want to put a damper on the matter of technology and benefits thereof to delivery of education. We just need to place it in perspective. Technology is just one mode of delivery. If the environment, content, values, etc are not right, technology cannot right it. Some of my these views are reflected in this article. Kind regards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matunda Nyanchama, mnyanchama(a)aganoconsulting.com Agano Consulting Inc.; www.aganoconsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”- George Bernard Shaw ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including attachments, may be privileged and may contain confidential or proprietary information intended only for the addressee(s). Any other distribution, copying, use, or disclosure is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete the message, including any attachments, without making a copy. Thank you.

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BPO/ITES Centre of Excellence Workshop 4th March 2010, 9 am – 1 pm
by Paul Kukubo 04 Mar '10

04 Mar '10

Dear Lister, v *As an update to the earlier reports please find below and update: * * * *Stakeholder Workshop: Information Technology-Business Process* *Outsourcing (IT-BPO) Centre of Excellence (COE)* * * *Center of Excellence Concept* Given the importance of the IT-BPO sector, for employment of youth in Kenya, the Government of Kenya is keen to take up a focused IT-BPO skills development initiative in close collaboration with the industry. As part of this initiative it is proposed to establish a Center of Excellence (COE) for IT-BPO in partnership with leading Kenyan/Global IT-BPO companies. The Center will impart training to Kenyan trainers in order to prepare them for training a large number of students for employment in the IT-BPO sector. The vision for the Center is that it will eventually become a regional training hub for the IT-BPO sector catering to training needs in the Africa region. It is proposed to invite leading Kenyan and global IT-BPO companies to partner with the COE, which will function as an umbrella institution for industry collaboration on IT-BPO talent development and skills excellence. For co-development of the COE, companies may choose to participate individually or as a consortium to leverage differing strengths (e.g. training companies may partner with leading global BPO providers). Invitation The Workshop is by invitation participating at the workshop in forging the future of the industry. Date: 4th March 2010, 9 am – 1 pm Venue: Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) - Workshop Program: - 0900-0945 Breakfast & Registration - 0945-1000 An overview for the COE for foundational skills for the ITES/BPO industry in Kenya – Rationale, Objectives, Deliverables and the role for all stakeholders –Paul Kukubo (KICTB) - 1000-1015 Skills gaps from the Industry perspective-Esther Muchiri (Chair, Skills Task Force) - 1015-1045 An overview of the ITES/BPO global scenario as well as the COE Framework –Presentation & Discussion-Jonathan De Luzuriaga (Philippines) - 1045-1115 Criteria for selection of an Anchor Institution – Presentation & Discussion – Prof. Tim Waema (University of Nairobi) - 1115-1145 Value proposition of the COE - Jonathan De Luzuriaga - 1145-1245 Discussion/Way Forward- Paul Kukubo (KICTB) - 1300 Lunch *Background and Purpose* * * Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is one of the pillars in the Government of Kenya’s Vision 2030 document. Kenya has developed a policy framework and defined some strategic directions (Kenya ICT Strategy 2006), one of which explicitly focuses on BPO as a key opportunity for realizing the country’s Information Communication and Technology (ICT) objectives. The Kenya Government is clear on improving its position as an ICT destination (regionally and internationally). The lead agency of the Kenya Government in promoting the country as an ICT hub is the Kenya ICT Board with the following objectives: 1. To develop, launch and sustain a globally compelling brand marketing campaign for Kenya ICT 2. To develop and promote competitive ICT industries in Kenya 3. To develop world class Kenyan ICT institutions 4. To increase ICT access, utilization for all Kenyans (become a principle driver in bridging the digital divide) With the above-mentioned objectives in place, Kenya ICT Board through the support of its parent ministry, Ministry of Information & Communication, the World Bank and other partners is tasked to create a Centers of Excellence specifically for the Information Technology – Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) industry. * * This is for information only and the invatations to relevant attendees among stakeholders have already been sent out. For more iformation contact our Project Manager BPO ITES, Andrew Lewela on alewela(a)ict.go.ke Thank you. Sincerely, Paul Kukubo Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board PO Box 27150 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya 12th Floor, Teleposta Towers Koinange Street Tel +254 20 2089061, +254 20 2211960 Fax: +254 20 2211962 Cell: + 254 735 180001 website: www.ict.go.ke skype: kukubopaul googletalk: pkukubo personal blog: www.paulkukubo.co.ke twitter: @pkukubo ____________________ Vision: Kenya becomes a top ten global ICT hub Mission: To champion and actively enable Kenya to adopt and exploit ICT, through promotion of partnerships, investments and infrastructure growth for socio economic enrichment

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- call - Workshop on Internet Governance and Policies @ ICANN meeting in Nairobi, 11-12 March 2010 (RSVP)
by mwende njiraini 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

Dear colleagues, DiploFoundation is pleased to invite participants from ACP (Africa-Caribbean-Pacific) Group of States who are attending the ICANN meeting to register for a workshop on Internet Governance (IG) and Policies – “Internet Governance Diplomats”. The workshop will assist participants to grasp the multidisciplinary field of IG (including technical, legal, economic, socio-cultural and developmental aspects) and provide links with the international and regional processes (World Summit on Information Society and Internet Governance Forum). The discussions will also highlight the importance of IG and ICT issues and its effect on national and regional policies. * Time and Location:* March 11th and 12th (announcement and programme attached) Kenyatta International Conference Center, Nairobi * Registration:* Open to all stakeholders from ACP (Africa-Caribbean-Pacific) countries Limited to 30 participants on a first come basis Please send an email with your full name, country of residence, institution and position to: acpinfo(a)diplomacy.edu Deadline for applications: 5 March 2010 The workshop is a first event in a range of activities of the “Capacity Development in ICT Policy and Internet Governance for Africa – Caribbean – Pacific (ACP)” programme of DiploFoundation, with support of the European Commission and Secretariat of the ACP Group of States. For detailed info on this programme, please visit: www.diplomacy.edu/acp Looking forward to cooperating with you, Best regards, Vladimir Radunovic DiploFoundation

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German Court- and Constitutionality of Data Retention Laws
by Leonard Aloo 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

This may be of interest to some listers.Regards, Leonard Obura Aloo German high court: law ordering phone, e-mail traffic data retention violates constitution MELISSA EDDY Associated Press Writer 5:23 AM EST, March 2, 2010 BERLIN (AP) — Germany's highest court on Tuesday overturned a law allowing authorities to retain data on telephone calls and e-mail traffic for help in tracking criminal networks. A law ordering data on calls and e-mail exchanges be retained for six months for possible use by criminal authorities violated Germans' constitutional right to private correspondence and must be revised, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled. In its ruling, the court said the law failed to sufficiently balance the need for personal privacy against that for providing security, although it did not rule out data retention in principle. "The disputed instructions neither provided a sufficient level of data security, nor sufficiently limited the possible uses of the data," the court said. Nearly 35,000 Germans had appealed to the court to overturn the law, which stems from a 2006 European Union anti-terrorism directive requiring telecommunications companies to retain phone data and Internet logs for a minimum of six months in case they are needed for criminal investigations. The court upheld the EU directive, saying the problem lay instead with how the German parliament chose to interpret it. Under the German law, which went into effect Jan. 2008, information about all calls from mobile or landline phones was retained for six months, including who called whom, from where and for how long. The following year, that law was expanded to include the data surrounding all contact via e-mail. Although the laws forbid authorities from retaining the contents of either form of communication, they met with fierce opposition from civil rights groups. "Massive amounts of data about German citizens who pose no threat and are not suspects is being retained," Germany's commissioner for data security issues, Peter Schaar, told ARD's morning show. Experts argue the information is crucial to being able to trace crimes involving heavy use of the Internet, including tracking terror networks and pursuing child pornography. _______ Associated Press writer Verena Schmitt-Roschmann contributed to this report. http://www.fox43.com/business/sns-ap-eu-germany-data-retention,0,1005335.st…

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