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New Chief Defends U.S. Base for Agency That Manages Web
by alice 12 Jul '09

12 Jul '09

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/technology/internet/13iht-icann13.html?_r… New Chief Defends U.S. Base for Agency That Manages Web Rod Beckstrom spoke after he was announced as the next chief executive of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers in June. PARIS — The U.S.-based agency that regulates Internet addresses, facing criticism that it is too America-centric, remains the best guardian of a “single, unified, global Internet,” according its new chief executive. Rod Beckstrom, a technology entrepreneur and former U.S. government Internet security official, took over this month as head of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, succeeding Paul Twomey, an Australian. As use of the Internet expands around the world, there have been rising calls for a new way of overseeing some of its basic functions, including the allocation of domain suffixes like .com and .org. This duty, and other important technical functions, have been in the hands of Icann, a private, nonprofit organization based in Marina Del Rey, California, for the past decade, under an agreement with the U.S. Commerce Department. “There will always be different voices out there, but the ultimate proof that Icann is functioning properly is that the Internet is functioning properly,” Mr. Beckstrom said by telephone last week. One critic of Icann, the European Union media and telecommunications commissioner, Viviane Reding, recently called for a severing of Icann’s links with the U.S. government when the current agreement with the Commerce Department expires this autumn. Instead, she proposed the creation of a “G-12 for Internet governance” to oversee an independent Icann. “In the long run, it is not defendable that the government department of only one country has oversight of an Internet function which is used by hundreds of millions of people in countries all over the world,” Ms. Reding said in May. Ms. Reding also called for the creation of an “independent, international tribunal” to review Icann decisions. Now, any legal challenges generally occur in California courts. “California law is good law for technology,” Mr. Beckstrom said. He said that at a recent Icann meeting in Sydney, there had been discussion of creating an international subsidiary of the organization, possibly based in Switzerland. But he said he would oppose efforts to fragment Icann. “Everyone can’t have it their own way and have it unified,” Mr. Beckstrom said. “Part of the power of the Internet is that the standards that parties have to agree on are so minimal.” Icann has moved over the years to give itself a more international profile, holding three major meetings a year outside the United States. Gatherings are also planned for Seoul in October and Nairobi next March. The organization’s Governmental Advisory Committee, which has representatives from more than 80 countries, has been trying to broaden its membership. China, for instance, recently agreed to rejoin the committee after a five-year absence, Mr. Beckstrom said. Now he is trying to woo another big holdout, Russia. Mr. Beckstrom said he hoped that a plan to allow Internet domain names to be rendered in Cyrillic, set to begin next year, would help. The move to embrace Cyrillic addresses, along with other scripts like Arabic and Chinese, is part of a broader drive by Icann to open up the domain naming system, an initiative that also has its critics. The organization plans to start adding large numbers of new address suffixes, or “global top-level domains,” next year, making it possible to register city or company names like .paris or .nestle. While Icann says the creation of new addresses will help accommodate the international diversification of the Internet, some companies worry that the process will make it harder to protect their brand names. The Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse, a group based in Washington and representing multinational marketers, says the expansion of domain names could lead to a rise in the practice known as cybersquatting. Joshua Bourne, president of the coalition, called for Icann to “halt all current or future policy initiatives” until a commission, appointed by the U.S. president or Congress, and consisting of government, academic and business representatives, had reviewed its operations. Mr. Bourne said Icann was too beholden to companies that sell and manage actual domain names on behalf of Web sites. Mr. Beckstrom is no stranger to conflict. In March, he left his previous job, as head of the U.S. National Cyber Security Center, part of the Homeland Security Department, saying he feared the National Security Agency was seeking too much influence at the center. Before that, Mr. Beckstrom was a technology entrepreneur, starting a company in 1984 that created derivatives trading software, which he sold in 1999. He said he intended to take a pragmatic approach to his new job, rather than moving Icann in new directions. “There is a lot to do,” he said. “My focus very much is going to be to support the execution of these primary tasks.”

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Re: [kictanet] Obama's Speech @ Ghana
by Walubengo J 11 Jul '09

11 Jul '09

deadly speech - as usual. Picked some highlights from: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iXHQkTrA9IUUQBC9WHPK3ZMK_… @on Kenya But despite the progress that has been made — and there has been considerable progress in many parts of Africa — we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled. Countries like Kenya had a per capita economy larger than South Korea's when I was born. They have badly been outpaced. Disease and conflict have ravaged parts of the African continent. In many places, the hope of my father's generation gave way to cynicism, even despair. Now, it's easy to point fingers and to pin the blame of these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense helped to breed conflict. The West has often approached Africa as a patron or a source of resources rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage and nepotism in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is still a daily fact of life for far too many. @ on Democracy: This is about more than just holding elections. It's also about what happens between elections. Repression can take many forms, and too many nations, even those that have elections, are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves ... or if police — if police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top ... or the head of the port authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, even if occasionally you sprinkle an election in there. And now is the time for that style of governance to end. @ on Civil Society. Across Africa, we've seen countless examples of people taking control of their destiny and making change from the bottom up. We saw it in Kenya, where civil society and business came together to help stop postelection violence. We saw it in South Africa, where over three-quarters of the country voted in the recent election — the fourth since the end of apartheid. We saw it in Zimbabwe, where the Election Support Network braved brutal repression to stand up for the principle that a person's vote is their sacred right. As I said earlier, Africa's future is up to Africans. @ on African Capacity/Spirit. The people of Africa are ready to claim that future. And in my country, African Americans — including so many recent immigrants — have thrived in every sector of society. We've done so despite a difficult past, and we've drawn strength from our African heritage. With strong institutions and a strong will, I know that Africans can live their dreams in Nairobi and Lagos, Kigali, Kinshasa, Harare, and right here in Accra. walu. --- On Tue, 7/7/09, Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: From: Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> Subject: Re: [kictanet] President Obama's upcoming trip - media resources for your involvement To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 6:40 PM Walu, Am sorry but i did not mean it in that sense, except to give information for participation. You know am as African as a Kenyan, Ghana happens to be my locus for coming into time. On a much lighter note, African tradition demands that if your son in visiting me, i need to inform you - we need to keep our Africaness intact....:-) Eric here On 7 Jul 2009, at 09:02, Walubengo J wrote: Eric @ Ghana, dont rub it in. He maybe visiting Ghana but he is still our son of "K'ogelo". :-) walu @ Kenya. --- On Tue, 7/7/09, Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: From: Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> Subject: [kictanet] President Obama's upcoming trip - media resources for your involvement To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 12:36 PM Dear All, Hope your morning is well. Below are some outlets for getting involved in President Obama's visit - http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/ SMS. We’ve launched an SMS platform to allow citizens to submit questions, comments and words of welcome (in English and in French) . Using a local SMS short code in Ghana (1731) , Nigeria (32969) , South Africa (31958)and Kenya (5683), as well as a long code across the rest of the world*, Africans and citizens worldwide will be encouraged to text their messages to the President. SMS participants will also be able to subscribe to speech highlights in English and French. Long numbers for mobile registration pan-Africa: 61418601934 and 45609910343. This SMS platform is not available in the US. We’d love to get a bunch of people signed up and submitting questions via SMS today. Radio. A live audio stream of the President's speech will be pushed to national and local radio stations during the speech. After the speech, a taped audio recording of the President’s answers to the SMS messages received will be made available to radio stations and websites. The President hopes to answer a variety of questions and comments by topic and region. The audio recording will also be made available for download on www.whitehouse.gov and iTunes. Online chat. We will host a live web chat around the speech on Facebook. The White House will also create a Facebook “event” around the speech wherein participants from around the world can engage with one another. A Twitter hashtag (i.e. #obamaghana) has been promoted to consolidate input and reaction around the event. WhiteHouse.gov/Ghana - On the day of the speech, we will launch www.whitehouse.gov/ghana with links to all of the relevant programs and content (including transcript, video, etc.) for both domestic and foreign audiences. NB: Sorry for crossposting. Eric M.K OsiakwanDirector Internet Researchwww.internetresearch.com.ghemko(a)internetresearch.com.gh42 Ring Road Central, Accra-NorthTel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031Fax: +233.21.258811Cell: +233.24.4386792 -----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 Eric M.K OsiakwanDirector Internet Researchwww.internetresearch.com.ghemko(a)internetresearch.com.gh42 Ring Road Central, Accra-NorthTel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031Fax: +233.21.258811Cell: +233.24.4386792 -----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

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Re: [kictanet] FW: latest writing
by Alex Gakuru 11 Jul '09

11 Jul '09

Latest News: "Report: Bush surveillance program was massive" <http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090711/ap_on_go_co/us_domestic_surveillance> --- On Thu, 7/9/09, Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Gakuru Alex <alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] FW: latest writing > To: alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com > Cc: kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > Date: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 11:05 AM > Hello Edith, > > Thanks for sharing. I would be most interested in the > debate - see my > below message. > > Prof. Lessig proposes a mechanism where consumers, services > providers > and government all accept some compromises (i.e. all move > out of > respective 'dug-in' positions as regards privacy and > security) > > I would be very interested in a local debate on it, more > towards > building online trust. > > Dunno who else might be? > > Regards, > > Alex > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> > Date: Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 9:47 PM > Subject: [ke-internetusers] Lawrence Lessig - Privacy & > Security v2 > To: ke-users <ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net> > > > Hello, > > Yesterday, I downloaded this incredible presentation. > > Government, Regulator, Telecommunications companies, Civil > Society as > well as individuals should find very useful. > <http://a26.video2.blip.tv/2770001091994/Lessig-Privacy20778.flv> > (warning: it's 340 MB) > > [in case you'd need it on a CD + two others by the same > speaker (and > if prepared to refund media, handing, and assistant's costs > to your > offices) feel free to request off list.] > > Regards, > > Alex > _______________________________________________ > ke-internetusers mailing list > ke-internetusers(a)bdix.net > http://www.bdix.net/mailman/listinfo/ke-internetusers > > > On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 12:09 PM, Edith Adera<eadera(a)idrc.or.ke> > wrote: > > This might be of interest (see attached). Wonder what > Kenya is planning. Worth a debate? > > > > Edith > > > > ----- > > The following excerpt is quite telling: > > > > "...Pakistan has created a national smart ID card > database, managed by the National Database and Registration > Authority (NADRA) . Currently this database holds 170 > million fingerprints, 72 million facial images, and has > already issued 70 million ID cards. The information stored > within the system is used for highway toll collection, cash > grant systems, national drivers license system, civil > registrations, passport and visa issuing, passport insurance > and control biometric refugee registration, and the ID cards > and access control system for the Pakistani army. The mere > scale of this database raises questions about access > management, security, and interoperability, but these have > yet to be answered. A centralised pool of information may be > an invaluable tool to any government; especially one trying > to raise its people out of poverty. But given how high the > stakes are, we need to ask ourselves whether adopting a > one-sided approach and focusing on the benefits alone will > not harm those same people in the long run. " > > > > _______________________________________________ > > kictanet mailing list > > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > > > This message was sent to: alexgakuru.lists(a)gmail.com > > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alexgakuru.lists%40gma… > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: alex.gakuru(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/alex.gakuru%40yahoo.com >

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IGF Review - open comment period
by Adam Peake 10 Jul '09

10 Jul '09

Email below from Markus Kummer about the IGF review, he asked the email be forwarded to all potential contributors. Comments from all would be very welcome. Best, Adam At 10:16 AM +0200 7/8/09, Markus KUMMER wrote: > >Dear colleagues, > >You may recall that we set 15 July as a deadline >for submitting comments with regard to the IGF >Review process. All comments received within >that deadline will be reflected in a synthesis >paper that will be translated into all six UN >languages as an official input into the >³consultation with Forum participants² at the >Sharm El Sheikh meeting. The call for >contributions is posted on our Web site. We have >also sent a letter to all Missions in Geneva, >asking for comments. Comments can be sent by >electronic means, but also by fax or by normal >mail. > >I would also like to encourage all MAG members >to send us comments on behalf of their >respective institutions, if they have not >already done so, and please encourage others to >submit contributions. The more comments we >receive, the more valuable our paper will be! > >While we cannot guarantee that the synthesis >paper will reflect comments received after the >15 July deadline, we will do our utmost to do >so. In any case, all papers received after that >deadline will be posted on our Web site. > >Best regards >Markus >

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FW: latest writing
by Edith Adera 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

This might be of interest (see attached). Wonder what Kenya is planning. Worth a debate? Edith ----- The following excerpt is quite telling: "...Pakistan has created a national smart ID card database, managed by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) . Currently this database holds 170 million fingerprints, 72 million facial images, and has already issued 70 million ID cards. The information stored within the system is used for highway toll collection, cash grant systems, national drivers license system, civil registrations, passport and visa issuing, passport insurance and control biometric refugee registration, and the ID cards and access control system for the Pakistani army. The mere scale of this database raises questions about access management, security, and interoperability, but these have yet to be answered. A centralised pool of information may be an invaluable tool to any government; especially one trying to raise its people out of poverty. But given how high the stakes are, we need to ask ourselves whether adopting a one-sided approach and focusing on the benefits alone will not harm those same people in the long run. "

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Re: [kictanet] President Obama's upcoming trip - media resources for your involvement
by benomnta＠yahoo.com 08 Jul '09

08 Jul '09

think this' what kagai meant: ERIC, THAT IS THE KENYA WE LIVE IN. TRIBAL BILL. Michael Ouma Journalist Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254-725-537823 / +254-0731-201729 Email: benomnta(a)yahoo.com --- On Tue, 7/7/09, Bildad Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Bildad Kagai <billkagai(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] President Obama's upcoming trip - media resources for your involvement > To: benomnta(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 8:24 AM > > Echo Romeo India Charlie, > Tango Hotel Alpha Tango India Sierra Tango Hotel > Echo Kilo Echo November Yankee Alpha Whisky Echo Lima India > Victor Echo India November. > Tango Romeo India Bravo Alpha Lima. > Bravo India Lima Lima > On Jul 7, 2009, at 5:40 PM, Eric M.K Osiakwan > wrote: > Walu, > Am sorry but i did not mean it in that sense, > except to give information for participation. You know am as > African as a Kenyan, Ghana happens to be my locus for coming > into time. > On a much lighter note, African tradition > demands that if your son in visiting me, i need to inform > you - we need to keep our Africaness > intact....:-) > Eric here > > > On 7 Jul 2009, at 09:02, Walubengo J > wrote: > Eric @ Ghana, > > dont rub it in. He maybe visiting Ghana but he is still our > son of "K'ogelo". :-) > > walu @ Kenya. > > --- On Tue, 7/7/09, Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> > wrote: > > From: Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> > Subject: [kictanet] President Obama's upcoming trip - > media resources for your involvement > To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com > Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 12:36 PM > > Dear All, > Hope your morning is well. > Below are some outlets for getting involved in > President Obama's visit - http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/ > SMS. We’ve launched an SMS > platform to allow citizens to submit questions, > comments and words of welcome (in English and in > French) . Using a local SMS short code in > Ghana (1731) , Nigeria (32969) , South > Africa (31958)and Kenya (5683), as well as a long code > across the rest of the world*, Africans and citizens > worldwide will be encouraged to text their messages to > the President. SMS participants will also be able to > subscribe to speech highlights in English and French. Long > numbers for mobile registration pan-Africa: 61418601934 and > 45609910343. This SMS platform is not available in the > US. > We’d love to get a bunch of people signed up and > submitting questions via SMS today. > Radio. A live audio > stream of the President's speech will be > pushed to national and local radio stations during the > speech. After the speech, a taped audio recording of the > President’s answers to the SMS messages received will > be made available to radio stations and websites. The > President hopes to answer a variety of questions and > comments by topic and region. The audio recording will also > be made available for download on www.whitehouse.gov and > iTunes. > Online chat. We will host a > live web chat around the speech on Facebook. The White > House will also create a Facebook “event” around the > speech wherein participants from around the world can engage > with one another. A Twitter hashtag (i.e. #obamaghana) > has been promoted to consolidate input and reaction around > the event. > WhiteHouse.gov/Ghana - On the day > of the speech, we will launch www.whitehouse.gov/ghana with > links to all of the relevant programs and content > (including transcript, video, etc.) for both > domestic and foreign audiences. > NB: Sorry for crossposting. > Eric > M.K OsiakwanDirector Internet > Researchwww.internetresearch.com.ghemko(a)internetresearch.com.gh42 > Ring Road Central, Accra-NorthTel: +233.21.258800 > ext 7031Fax: +233.21.258811Cell: > +233.24.4386792 > > > > > -----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 > > > Eric > M.K OsiakwanDirector Internet > Researchwww.internetresearch.com.ghemko(a)internetresearch.com.gh42 > Ring Road Central, Accra-NorthTel: +233.21.258800 > ext 7031Fax: +233.21.258811Cell: > +233.24.4386792 > > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: billkagai(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/billkagai%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: benomnta(a)yahoo.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/benomnta%40yahoo.com >

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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] President Obama's upcoming trip - media resources for your involvement
by Walubengo J 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Eric @ Ghana, dont rub it in. He maybe visiting Ghana but he is still our son of "K'ogelo". :-) walu @ Kenya. --- On Tue, 7/7/09, Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> wrote: From: Eric M.K Osiakwan <emko(a)internetresearch.com.gh> Subject: [kictanet] President Obama's upcoming trip - media resources for your involvement To: jwalu(a)yahoo.com Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 12:36 PM Dear All, Hope your morning is well. Below are some outlets for getting involved in President Obama's visit - http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/ SMS. We’ve launched an SMS platform to allow citizens to submit questions, comments and words of welcome (in English and in French) . Using a local SMS short code in Ghana (1731) , Nigeria (32969) , South Africa (31958)and Kenya (5683), as well as a long code across the rest of the world*, Africans and citizens worldwide will be encouraged to text their messages to the President. SMS participants will also be able to subscribe to speech highlights in English and French. Long numbers for mobile registration pan-Africa: 61418601934 and 45609910343. This SMS platform is not available in the US. We’d love to get a bunch of people signed up and submitting questions via SMS today. Radio. A live audio stream of the President's speech will be pushed to national and local radio stations during the speech. After the speech, a taped audio recording of the President’s answers to the SMS messages received will be made available to radio stations and websites. The President hopes to answer a variety of questions and comments by topic and region. The audio recording will also be made available for download on www.whitehouse.gov and iTunes. Online chat. We will host a live web chat around the speech on Facebook. The White House will also create a Facebook “event” around the speech wherein participants from around the world can engage with one another. A Twitter hashtag (i.e. #obamaghana) has been promoted to consolidate input and reaction around the event. WhiteHouse.gov/Ghana - On the day of the speech, we will launch www.whitehouse.gov/ghana with links to all of the relevant programs and content (including transcript, video, etc.) for both domestic and foreign audiences. NB: Sorry for crossposting. Eric M.K OsiakwanDirector Internet Researchwww.internetresearch.com.ghemko(a)internetresearch.com.gh42 Ring Road Central, Accra-NorthTel: +233.21.258800 ext 7031Fax: +233.21.258811Cell: +233.24.4386792 -----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

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FW: [acacia-admin-cl] FW: LINK CENTRE: Executive Course: Telecommunications & Broadcasting Policy, Law & Regulation
by Edith Adera 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

________________________________ From: link-info-bounces(a)lists.wits.ac.za [link-info-bounces(a)lists.wits.ac.za] On Behalf Of Charley Lewis [Charley.Lewis(a)wits.ac.za] Sent: July 7, 2009 9:57 AM To: link-info(a)lists.wits.ac.za Cc: Tennyson Mashiloane Subject: LINK CENTRE: Executive Course: Telecommunications & Broadcasting Policy, Law & Regulation =========================================== Executive Course: Telecommunications & Broadcasting Policy, Law & Regulation =========================================== [cid:image001.gif@01C9FF1B.071275E0] Please forward to colleagues who might benefit from attending... There are still a few places left on this exciting one-week short course commencing on 20 July 2009. Blast away those Confed Cup blues - warm the cockles of your heart with some power-packed ICT regulatory soup, expertly brewed by South Africa's leading trainers in the field. It's not too late to register. Book now! This executive course is one of the three modules comprising the highly-acclaimed Certificate in Telecommunications Policy, Regulation and Management, offered by the LINK Centre, School of Public and Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand - Southern Africa's the leading research and training body in the field of information and communications technology policy, regulation and management. Registration for this single module is open to participants who wish to focus specifically on Telecommunications & Broadcasting Policy, Law and Regulation, or whose busy schedule does not permit them to register for the full certificate. Content Overview * The SA Constitution and administrative law; * ICT sector regulation: rationales, principles, approaches and practices; * Competition law, and the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in SA; * ICT sector reform in SA: overview; * Legislative, regulatory and licensing framework for telecommunications in SA: institutions, structure, processes and issues; * Legislative, regulatory and licensing framework for broadcasting in SA: institutions, structure, processes and issues; * Interconnection, facilities leasing and essential facilities: principles, law and regulation; * Licensing: the objectives, typology, procedures, content and monitoring of licences; * Pricing and tariffs; * Quality of service and consumer protection. Presenters are drawn from LINK Centre staff, as well as a number of other experts in the field, including: Andrew Barendse, Aynon Doyle, Norman Manoim, Sanele Sibanda and Carla Rafinetti. A certificate of attendance is issued to all participants who attend a minimum of 80% of the course sessions. Who should attend? Decision-makers and senior policy-makers in the Department of Communications, ICASA and the USA, managers and regulatory staff in industry (manufacturers, service providers and fixed and mobile operators), bidders for PSTN licences, broadcasters, lawyers, consultants, journalists, union officials and NGOs involved in the sector. About LINK The LINK Centre is the leading public policy, regulation and management educational body in the area of information and communication in Southern Africa. LINK focuses on capacity building in the public sector and development arenas through quality training, applied research and consultancy services necessary to maximise the benefits of the Information Society and the Knowledge Economy. Visit the LINK web site at http://link.wits.ac.za for more information. Methodology An interactive and intensive teaching methodology is used, comprised of several learning methods, including lectures, case studies, structured learning group discussions and presentations from local and international experts in the field. In this way participants will develop a strong practical focus directly applicable to their own organisations. Fees R 8 000 plus VAT per participant. Venue All lectures are held at the Graduate School of Public and Development Management campus, 2 St David's Place, Parktown. Lectures run daily from 08:30 to 17:00 with breaks for lunch and teas. Convenor Charley Lewis + 27 + 11 + 717-3784 or lewis.c(a)pdm.wits.ac.za Registration For more information, or to register online, please consult the web page for the full Certificate in Telecommunications Policy, Regulation and Management at http://link.wits.ac.za/training/tc1.html. Alternatively, contact Tennyson Mashiloane on Tennyson.Mashiloane(a)wits.ac.za<mailto:Tennyson.Mashiloane@wits.ac.za>. - - - ends - - - Charley Lewis Senior Lecturer, LINK Centre Tel: + 27 11-717-3784 Fax: + 27 86-529-5562 /+ 27 11-717-3910 Mobile: + 27 83-539-5242 Post (personal): Box 81185, Parkhurst, 2120, SOUTH AFRICA Skype: charley.lewis URL: http://link.wits.ac.za Mwalimu House, School of Public & Development Management, University of the Witwatersrand 2 St David's Place, Parktown, 2193, SOUTH AFRICA ==> Master of Management in ICT Policy & Regulation: http://link.wits.ac.za/training/training4.html<UrlBlockedError.aspx> ==> Certificate in Telecomms Policy, Regulation & Management: http://link.wits.ac.za/training/tc1.html [cid:image001.gif@01C9FF1B.071275E0] This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is confidential. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy or disseminate this communication without the permission of the University. Only authorized signatories are competent to enter into agreements on behalf of the University and recipients are thus advised that the content of this message may not be legally binding on the University and may contain the personal views and opinions of the author, which are not necessarily the views and opinions of The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All agreements between the University and outsiders are subject to South African Law unless the University agrees in writing to the contrary.

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Notes on workshop on development of a BPO industry in Kenya.doc
by Victor Gathara 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Hi Edith, Attached are some notes I scribbled from the BPO workshop. Included are some questions I felt were not answered. Pardon the lack of analysis/order. I've copied in listers as some may find them useful . Overall found it a good workshop to attend. I think we should have had more time to discuss issues arising. Would have liked to see more industry stakeholders there too. Victor 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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