November 2011 - KICTANet

Fwd: Scholarship for Distance Learning MSc in Mgmt & Info Systems
by Alice Munyua 10 Nov '11

10 Nov '11

*Distance Learning MSc with Scholarship from Manchester University - Masters in Management & Information Systems: Change and Development* Starting each year in January, the MSc in Management & Information Systems: Change and Development aims to develop the "hybrid" mix of management and information systems skills that we know from experience is essential to the successful and strategic application of ICTs. The programme specifically focuses on the planning, development, impact and management of information systems and organisational change in developing and transitional countries, and is co-ordinated by the University of Manchester's _Centre for Development Informatics_ <http://www.cdi.manchester.ac.uk/>. Being taught by distance learning, it allows study fellows to remain at home and in work, and to study at their own pace as other commitments allow. Applications are now being accepted, and links to this and other details of MSc M&IS DL can be found at: _http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/08003/?code=08003&pg=2_ <http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/08003/?code=080…> One *fully-funded scholarship* for study from January 2012 is available for a candidate from a developing country, covering all costs, with an application deadline of 2 Dec 2011. Details are available at: _http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/funding/mis_dl_scholarships_2012.htm_ If you have any questions, please email the Programme Director, Prof. Richard Heeks: _richard.heeks(a)manchester.ac.uk_ <mailto:richard.heeks@manchester.ac.uk>

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The 2011 Waseda University World e-Government Ranking
by S.M. Muraya 10 Nov '11

10 Nov '11

Interesting report here... The 2011 Waseda University World e-Government Ranking www.cicc.or.jp/english/news/e-GovRanking2011e.PDF Suprisingly India (Rank 30) and South Africa (Rank 31) are ahead of Israel (Rank 32). An upcoming techie / future Kenyan CIO tried to find consulting work in South Africa in and realized how backwards we are in Kenya. He did not possess 80% of the skills they require. In South Africa he would not be a Consultant directly getting jobs from IT Managers. The particular technologies he is now mastering have some pretty heavy hardware requirements most individual consultants in Kenya do not invest in. :)

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Kenya FOI Bill and Data Protection Bill
by Grace Githaiga 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Good morning Listers Edith has informed us that the CIC is seeking formal submission on the two bills: 1. Freedom of Information: http://cickenya.org/sites/default/files/bills/Freedom%20of%20Information%20… 2. Data Protection: http://cickenya.org/sites/default/files/bills/Data%20Protection%20Bill%20Fi… Kind Regards GG ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have the strength to survive, you have the power to succeed. Life is all about choices we make depending upon the situation we are in. Go forth and rule the World!

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Mobile technology Incubator Manager
by Badru Ntege 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Hi All we have a job opportunity for the above position. I do hope i can find the right person on this list. Can interested persons please contact me off list for further details. <http://www.nftconsult.com/vacancies?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=0&sobi2Id= 387> http://www.nftconsult.com/vacancies?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=0&sobi2Id=3 87 regards Badru

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KICTANET as a Constituency
by robert yawe 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Hi, A while ago I raised the issue of why we in the technology industry need to become a strong constituency if we are to make a difference and go beyond rhetoric to action. That outburst was brought about by the fact that I was unable to participate in the elections for governor of the ICT Sector at KePSA because I had no supporting organisation as CSK had lapsed in its membership. As a result the late Evelyn Rono had to offer herself for re-election as the governor even though she had wanted to step down so as to concentrate on her activities at the board level of KePSA. Now as I write this, as a sector, we do not have independent representation on the board of KePSA, at the next election to replace Evelyn I and many other independent candidates will not be able to participate as we have no sponsoring organisation. The sector will likely be led by a partisan player from on of the large vendors in the industry thereby leaving us voiceless. After reading an article recently about the Pirate Party, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirate_Parties_International, I am re-energised and realise that we can make our presence felt if we have the will to do so as we have the technology to act differently from the traditional politician. I know it is possible as before the censors I participated in the tribeKenya initiative which consisted of less than 20 people yet we got the ministry of planning to change the form and include a category called Kenya for tribe and from the censors results 620,000 homesteads indicated their tribe as Kenya. Assuming each homestead has 5 members that give us a population of 3.1 Million which means we qualify as the 48th County and the 1st to go virtual, which this space. Back to us, do we have what it takes to stand and be counted as we make this great country better for ourselves and the future generations? Regards PS. Can CSK please run a recruitment campaign to raise its membership contributions so as to meet its obligations at KePSA. Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] Korea
by meshack emakunat 09 Nov '11

09 Nov '11

Kenyans should set south korea as a comparator country in our development endeavours. Fits well in our shoe not so long ago. Wat pulls kenyans back is the too much democracy which has been misinterpreted and feed to the iliterate population. Example an electrician will jargon language to explain how an auditor misappropriated cdf fund. Or a journalist explaining to the people through media how a national project should be run. I guess the koreans have learned importance of specialization. (doing the work they understand better) just open, smile and close. Simple

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Fw: ETHIOPIA: Government moves to address road-accident toll
by william janak 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

ETHIOPIA: Government moves to address road-accident toll ADDIS ABABA, 8 November 2011 (IRIN) - Improved access to emergency medical care and compulsory third-party insurance coverage could help to lower Ethiopia's high road-traffic accident death toll, say officials. "At least one person dies out of [every] five car accidents occurring in this country," said Bamlaku Alemayehu, inspector of Ethiopia's National Road Safety Coordination Office. "Most of these victims die due to a lack of proper medical services, such as getting immediate medical assistance on time." At least 70 people die in every 10,000 vehicle accidents annually in Ethiopia, according to government reports; the average fatality rate is 60 per 10,000 vehicles across sub-Saharan African countries, according to the World Health Organization [ http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/88/3/09-067512.pdf ]. A study by a member of the Swedish Medical University of Lund, Road Traffic Accidents in Ethiopia: magnitude, causes and possible interventions [ http://www.aracneeditrice.it/pdf/1868.pdf ], published in the Advances in Transportation Studies journal, also suggests the numbers could be "in excess of 100 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles", noting that official statistics are susceptible to under-reporting. As of 2007-2008, Ethiopia had 95 traffic accident fatalities per 10,000 vehicles, states a 2009 UN Economic Commission For Africa report. According to the Lund study, inadequate communication to immediately inform officials and hospital emergency services about traffic accidents in rural areas is a problem, implying "that many accidents and the number of victims cannot be registered". Poor emergency medical services and the absence of compulsory liability insurance laws are among reasons contributing to the high fatality rates, it says, adding that "in the urban areas, although traffic police and hospitals are available, accident victims are usually evacuated by bystanders who [have] neither the necessary skills nor equipment in pre-hospital care. "And many of the victims are underprivileged people and they can neither afford out-of-pocket payments nor do they have health insurance to receive healthcare services, [thus many such casualties] are not reported." A poor road network and limited enforcement of existing traffic laws and the poor condition of vehicles are other factors. Under the National Road Safety Strategy Plan, launched in July 2011, Ethiopia hopes to halve the fatality rate by 2020. The plan will tap into more than 30,000 health extension workers, enabling them to provide first-aid services to accident victims. "These kinds of care-givers could save many lives [lost] as a result of blood loss, since they are living within the community," said Bamlaku. The Ministry of Health is also expected to distribute some 800 ambulances to each Woreda (district), train paramedics and strengthen health facilities at the Woreda level through trained emergency medical service personnel. "At the moment, the consequences of car accidents [are] terrible considering the capacity of the country's medical services," he said. Insurance laws Ethiopia is one of very few countries in the world where third-party liability insurance is not a legal obligation. If and when they become compulsory, such policies will provide compensation for road accident survivors who can neither afford out-of-pocket payments nor health insurance. "It might seem a bit late to start this kind of mechanism compared to other countries but it's better late than never," said Byleyegn Bekele, spokesperson for the Insurance Fund administering the compensation scheme. A mix of revised laws that set a uniform standard in the issuance of driving licences, empower organizations such as the federal transport authorities and impose heftier fines for traffic violations could also help, according to officials. Over half of road traffic accident deaths in Ethiopia involve pedestrians, of whom 20 percent are children younger than 18 years old. Globally, at least 1.2 million people die on the road every year, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for 90 percent of the deaths, despite having only 48 percent of the world's vehicles, according to a WHO [ http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241563840_eng.pdf ] global status report on road safety. Nearly half of those killed are pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and passengers in public transport. Ethiopian police records show that between 2003 and 2007, at least 76 percent of fatal accidents were due to driver error, 6 percent due to vehicle defects, 5 percent due to pedestrian error, 2 percent due to road defects and the balance due to other causes. "Unless the present trend is arrested, the social and economic problem of road accidents is bound to become more and more serious as the number of cars increases," warns the National Road Safety Strategic Plan. Road traffic accidents help perpetuate poverty as families struggle with rehabilitation costs or funeral expenses after the loss of breadwinners. The Lund University study noted that the accidents led to "families being deprived or trapped by a cycle of poverty, in a country where there are no social security services". According to the study, pedestrians and passengers of commercial vehicles were the most vulnerable in Ethiopia, whereas in high-income countries accidents mainly involve private vehicles, with the driver being the main occupant injured or killed. WHO projects road traffic injuries will be the fifth-leading cause of death globally by 2030. bt/aw/mw [END] This report online: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportID=94165 IRIN is hiring a reporter for West Africa: http://www.irinnews.org/jobs.aspx © IRIN. All rights reserved. More humanitarian news and analysis: http://www.irinnews.org/ [This item comes to you via IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations or its Member States. Reposting or reproduction, with attribution, for non-commercial purposes is permitted. Terms and conditions: http://www.irinnews.org/copyright.aspx IRIN partners: UAE, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the IHC. More information: http://www.irinnews.org/donors.aspx This mail is from an automatic address. Contact IRIN at: feedback(a)irinnews.org. Revise/stop your subscription: http://bit.ly/9nCoUP ] Subscribed email: williamjanak(a)yahoo.com

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Fw: EAA 2012: African developers are given a global stage / Ericsson and Sony Ericsson partner to run competition for application developers in sub-Saharan Africa
by alice＠apc.org 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

-----Original Message----- From: "News Release - African Press Organization" <noreply(a)apo-mail.org> Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 14:03:37 To: News Release - African Press Organization<noreply(a)apo-mail.org> Subject: EAA 2012: African developers are given a global stage / Ericsson and Sony Ericsson partner to run competition for application developers in sub-Saharan Africa Click here <http://appablog.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/eaa-2012-african-developers-are-gi…> if you cannot read that message <http://www.ericsson.com/> ericsson.jpg PRESS RELEASE EAA 2012: African developers are given a global stage / Ericsson and Sony Ericsson partner to run competition for application developers in sub-Saharan Africa JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, November 8, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Ericsson and Sony Ericsson partner to run competition for application developers in sub-Saharan Africa · Invites local developers to submit innovative ideas and mobile applications · Application entries will be automatically registered for the global competition with a chance to win a €15,000 cash prize. Ericsson (http://www.ericsson.com) in partnership with Sony Ericsson has announced plans to run a regional competition for application developers on the Android platform. The competition titled ‘Apps for Africa’ is to run under the aegis of the 2012 Ericsson Application Awards (EAA 2012) ( <http://www.ericssonapplicationawards.com> http://www.ericssonapplicationawards.com) - an ongoing annual competition for application developers worldwide organized by Ericsson Research. Logo: <http://www.apo-mail.org/ericsson.jpg> http://www.apo-mail.org/ericsson.jpg ‘Apps for Africa’ is designed to promote the development of innovative ideas and mobile applications from a variety of environments and situations peculiar to the region. These are expected to enable new opportunities for people to collaborate, innovate, learn, care and participate in more efficient ways that positively impact our environment. Lars Linden, Head of Ericsson, Region sub-Saharan Africa said, “We are delighted to be leading this initiative and feel it is an ideal way to showcase local African talent from across the continent. As the usage of mobile phones has a direct impact on the way of life in Africa this is a prime example of how technology and innovation are elevating us to new levels of sophistication. We are anxious to see all of the creative submissions and would like to wish everyone good luck as they take on this challenge”. Members of the winning teams in each region will each receive a Sony Ericsson Xperia phone, while teams in second place will receive Business Experience Packs (incl. Sony Ericsson MW600, office pro, McAfee, and a micro USB cable). Colin Williamson, Marketing Manager for Sony Ericsson said, “Our objective for Sony Ericsson is to be the preferred choice for Android devices and we’re thrilled that to help reach this objective we’re able to get under the skin of the very platform our handsets perform on by way of an Android Application competition.” The competition is open to students and to small and medium sized enterprises based in the region; it has been split into four sub competitions based on location as follows: › Southern Africa for countries - Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Saint Helena, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe › Eastern Africa for countries - Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda › Central Africa; Central Africa - Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Côte D’ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Togo › Western Africa - Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone Interested developers in Southern Africa are required to register teams of two to four people online at <http://www.ericssonapplicationawards.com/apps-for-africa-south> http://www.ericssonapplicationawards.com/apps-for-africa-south before February 01, 2012 and submit either a video of idea or an Android based application that addresses the theme and makes use of at least one Ericsson Labs API (e.g. Mobile Location or Text To Speech) before February 28th, 2012. The competition will be rolled-out across Sub Saharan Africa in November. All application submissions will be automatically entered into the global competition - EAA 2012 - ‘Apps for the Networked Society’, for the chance to win a €15,000 cash prize. Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Ericsson. Notes to editors: About EAA 2012 - Apps for the Networked Society The EAA 2012 awards themed ‘Apps for the Networked Society’, will run till May 2012, the competition provides a unique opportunity for developers to gain exposure within the telecommunications world and a chance to reach out to customers via Ericsson's distribution channels in addition to the opportunity to win the latest top of the range Sony Ericsson phones and €15,000 in prize money. More information on the Ericsson Application Awards: <http://www.ericssonapplicationawards.com> http://www.ericssonapplicationawards.com Guest Blog from one of the 2011 winners: <http://ericssonapplicationawards.com/team/blog/guest-bloggers-eaa2011-winne…> http://ericssonapplicationawards.com/team/blog/guest-bloggers-eaa2011-winne… News release announcing 2011 years winners: <http://www.ericsson.com/news/110622_app_awards_244188810_c> http://www.ericsson.com/news/110622_app_awards_244188810_c Interviews on Youtube: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPEaD8sd3Pg> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPEaD8sd3Pg What's in my kitchen application demo: <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g1xYGmpDrQ&feature=youtu.be> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g1xYGmpDrQ&feature=youtu.be Our multimedia content is available at the broadcast room: <http://www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room> www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room Ericsson ( <http://www.ericsson.com> http://www.ericsson.com) is the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. Ericsson is the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies, and provides support for networks with over 2 billion subscribers and has the leading position in managed services. The company’s portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, software, broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and the media industry. The Sony Ericsson and ST-Ericsson joint ventures provide consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices. Ericsson is advancing its vision of being the “prime driver in an all-communicating world” through innovation, technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 180 countries, more than 90,000 employees generated revenue of SEK 203.3 billion (USD 28.2 billion) in 2010. Founded in 1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ New York. <http://www.ericsson.com> http://www.ericsson.com <http://www.twitter.com/ericssonpress> http://www.twitter.com/ericssonpress <http://www.facebook.com/technologyforgood> http://www.facebook.com/technologyforgood <http://www.youtube.com/ericssonpress> http://www.youtube.com/ericssonpress FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Ericsson Corporate Public & Media Relations Phone: +46 10 719 69 92 E-mail: <mailto:media.relations@ericsson.com> media.relations(a)ericsson.com Ericsson Investor Relations Phone: +46 10 719 00 00 E-mail: <mailto:investor.relations@ericsson.com> investor.relations(a)ericsson.com SOURCE Ericsson UNSUBSCRIBE <mailto:sec.sg@apo-opa.org?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE%20ERICSSON>

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What kind of CIO do you want in your County?
by S.M. Muraya 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

Dear Listers, Suspect it is going to take 15-20 years before Kenyan counties become like 60% effective in the utilization of funds. When KES 150 Billion (15% of a KES 1 Trillion budget) is devolved to 47 counties, each county (factoring populations in each) will get at least KES 2.5B per annum. In 5 years this is at least KES 12.5 Billion per county. With 40% (of KES 2.5B = KES 1B) to be lost per annum lost through mismanagement and theft, we MUST legislate / create posts of County Chief Information Officers. The CIO should head a committee of at least 5 people from different "constituencies" in each county to be accountable for the deployment of Information systems and services. A technically literate person / committee responsible to to make sure basic (accounting and project management) reporting systems are in place in each county within 2-3 years. Have looked at hundreds of pages of past US tenders / requirements in the past two weeks regarding Information and Collaboration systems and I am confident we are locally able to deploy the same standards / products. We just need to make sure we keep people who live in technical and ethical darkness out of County IT Committees. In the US, 2007 ICT budgets range from 3% for Government up to 8% (in the finance and education sectors) per anuum http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/sloan-school-of-management/15-571-generating-bus… A good gauge of the quality of an IT Manager/ Director is projects deployed well (enough to CONVENIENTLY provide required business intelligence or transparency) under their watch in the private of public sector. This has more to do with work ethics + practical experience or knowledge / certification.. NOT the outdated academics that are over-emphasized in Kenya. It seems to take a good IT Professional in Kenya, 2-3 years to convince ignorant Business Executives, Organizational Leaders and Public Officials to deploy basic Information Systems. Which kind of companies were contracted under their watch? Were local skills developed and certified in their department / organization? Typically an IT Manager / Director oppressed with very low budgets (or needing a cut in the budget), cannot deliver Quality Network, Computing and Information services. What kind of CIO do you want in your County? :)

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Powerhouse of the future
by Sam Aguyo 08 Nov '11

08 Nov '11

This could be interesting to read. It is a prediction that Kenya could be a powerhouse of the future besides South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt in Africa, the rest are out there. How would we use such a plus from independent bodies to our advantage? http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/specials/global-exchange/index.html?&hpt=hp… Sam

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