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Re: [kictanet] Update on the ICT Practitioners Bill - Get the Facts Right
by JImmy Gitonga 10 Dec '16

10 Dec '16

Question: What mechanisms are going to be used to ascertain that a person meets the requirements of 15(d)? My question is based on the possibility is that the Council could decide to arbitrarily choose any one to be a practitioner based on any criteria chosen by the Council. We would be led to believe that the people sitting in the council are of "good moral character and a fit and proper" to pass fair judgement. In Kenya, what does that statement mean? On Sat, Dec 10, 2016 at 1:04 PM, JImmy Gitonga <jimmygitts(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Mr. Kamotho wa Njenga, > > Here are my concerns. > > It is clear we all agree on that quacks should not be present in the > industry. The word 'quack' is largely used the medical fraternity for > people who look like doctors, act like doctors and talk like doctors. We > have had of a few of these cases in this country. And the medical field > does have the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board. So we can > also agree that quacks are not done away with boards or bills that are set > up to make sure only certified practitioners were in the field. Quacks > appear do to a different problem. > > then there is the matter of PART III - REGISTRATION OF ICT PRACTITIONERS > in the proposed bill. > > 15. A person shall be eligible for registration under this Act as an ICT > practitioner if the person - > ... > (d) satisfies the Council that he or she is a person of good moral > character and a fit and proper person to be registered under this Act. > > > > > On Sat, Dec 10, 2016 at 7:25 AM, <kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > wrote: > >> Send kictanet mailing list submissions to >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> kictanet-request(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> kictanet-owner(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of kictanet digest..." >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Re: Update on the ICT Practitioners Bill - Get the Facts >> Right (Ali Hussein) >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2016 07:23:23 +0300 >> From: Ali Hussein <ali(a)hussein.me.ke> >> To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Update on the ICT Practitioners Bill - Get the >> Facts Right >> Message-ID: <8AEC01A2-6299-42D5-8E15-001028BAD0EE(a)hussein.me.ke> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" >> >> Kamotho >> >> Personal attacks will not deter me or others from saying it as it is:- >> >> That the very idea of this bill is flawed - Democracy followed or not. >> >> I would like to address your claims/comments one by one:- >> >> 1. I didn't attend meetings hence I have given my 'representatives' a raw >> deal. Firstly I do not claim that I was anointed. When we first attended >> (Grace Bomu, Walubengo and Myself) the meeting at KEPSA to discuss this >> bill and it's implications we simply said we were Kictaneters and were >> there as such. Anyone else on this list was free to attend as this meeting >> was discussed on the list. I or Grace Bomu attended several meetings >> including the one which was chaired by John Omo at CCK and the >> Parliamentary Committee meeting where you also attended. Subsequently I >> contributed substantially to online discussions between the then 'Coalition >> of the willing' which comprised of KICTANet members, Bake, KEPSA, MOICT and >> iHub. The fact that I didn't attend some physical meetings doesn't at all >> negate my participation and contribution. However, that I do not need to >> justify to you. I'm merely putting forward my thoughts. >> >> Who do you represent Kamotho? Since this issue of representation is a >> door you have opened. Who is ICTAK? A quick look at the website doesn't >> tell me much as to who are the bona fide members and officials of the >> Association, when were they elected/appointed, how long is their term and >> when is the next election or appointments? How about the management? >> >> http://www.ictak.or.ke/ >> >> The reason I ask this is since you or ICTAK to be specific purport to >> represent the ICT Community in this country then proof of mandate is >> important don't you think? >> >> A quick cursory search online to look at how such associations operate >> took me to this site:- >> >> http://www.aiita.org/ of the All India IT Association. The information >> there in is instructive. From the Board of Directors to Management, this >> information is missing on the ICTAK site, >> >> Or ISACA (https://www.isaca.org/) whose local chapter holds regular >> elections. >> >> Or the U.K IT Association (http://members.ukita.co.uk/in >> dex.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid= >> 48&key=d804decf5d06e74e2b30819cd84db9e8&Itemid=66) which holds annual >> AGMs. >> >> 2. On point 2 I begin by quoting you on your email:- >> >> 'Deliberations proceeded in good faith. Needless to state, this Bill like >> any other is not a matter of life and death.' >> >> My brother, for some of us IT IS a matter of life and death. Imagine >> waking up one morning and you have been legislated out of your profession >> or business because of an organization that purports to represent you and a >> government that is supposed to be a 'Digital Government' sitting by as a >> bystander and seemingly powerless to defend the very people they have been >> purporting to protect, defend and promote. >> >> You like any other Kenyan has a right to promote any bill whatsoever. In >> the same breath, I and any other Kenyan has a right to oppose it if we feel >> it will curb our ability to earn a decent living and protect our families. >> Make no mistake about it this bill is a matter of life and death for some >> of us. >> >> 3. Another quote from you to emphasize my point on my hardline stand. >> >> 'Parliament would be within its mandate to pass the Bill intact, to amend >> it or to reject it altogether.' >> >> So why then are we wasting time in deliberations? Why legitimize a >> process so that you guys can go back and say 'We consulted and hence this >> bill is a good place to start and has the blessings of the community.' I'm >> sure I'm speaking to the majority listers when I say this is unfair and >> flawed. >> >> This country has a habit of using certain clauses of our new constitution >> to justify nefarious actions, we will simply not stand for it and be seen >> to be powerless or do anything about it. One that is used to devastating >> effect is this issue of public participation. WCIT12, Dubai, is still fresh >> in my mind where the previous ICT Ministry officials led by Dr. Ndemo was >> instrumental in engaging all stakeholders in crafting a Multi-Stakeholder >> Position on ITRs. This position was then changed by the new regime that >> replaced Dr. Ndemo. They did not even have the decency to inform the >> community. This impunity must stop. Government is supposed to represent the >> people and when this is abused it is a serious matter indeed. Some history >> here is important:- >> >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/pipermail/kictanet/2012-December/018900.html >> >> And if I speak alone on this so be it because Tyranny is Tyranny whether >> it is executed by a minority or a majority. >> >> 4. To quote you..again:- >> >> My humble understanding is that KICTANet is a serious platform where >> listers are at liberty to exchange ideas that are supportive of ICT >> sectoral progress. To this end wisdom should flow unfettered. This imposes >> a responsibility to ensure that information supplied is factual, evidence >> based and not merely driven by a passion for online flamboyance. In the >> alternative, this forum could easily degenerate to mediocrity of >> proportions only comparable to that of third rate blogs. God forbid! >> >> Indeed Ndugu Kamotho. The fact that we disagree and can express ourselves >> in the very list where the majority who have contributed to this discussion >> have opposed this bill is in itself a testament to the maturity that >> listers have demonstrated. If at any time I have come across as opinionated >> it is because sometimes I am. :-) It is a flaw that I work hard every day >> to tamper. I am after all human. :-) and I do apologize to anyone that I >> might have rubbed the wrong way. Including you my brother. I believe that >> we are mature enough to enjoy a mug of Malindi Macchiato (my favorite drink >> at Java) and are free to disagree over it? :-) >> >> 5. Lastly the ICT CS, Government Spokesperson have been categorical >> publicly in rejecting this bill. >> >> http://cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/government-of-kenya-rejec >> ts-ict-practitioners-bill# >> >> Positions may have changed since then and it is the onus of this >> government to tell us if in fact their position has changed, what >> precipitated it and what is the new position. >> >> Ali Hussein >> Principal >> Hussein & Associates >> +254 0713 601113 >> >> Twitter: @AliHKassim >> Skype: abu-jomo >> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim >> >> >> "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking >> what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Gy?rgyi >> >> Sent from my iPad >> >> ****************************************** >> > >

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Re: [kictanet] Update on the ICT Practitioners Bill - Get the Facts Right
by wamuma 10 Dec '16

10 Dec '16

Following keenly these new developments of UPDATES and COUNTER UPDATES as a silent follower and player . Thanks Anthony Weru Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.-------- Original message --------From: Kamotho Njenga via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> Date: 09/12/2016 11:49 (GMT+03:00) To: wamuma(a)gmail.com Cc: Kamotho Njenga <kamothonjenga(a)gmail.com> Subject: [kictanet] Update on the ICT Practitioners Bill - Get the Facts Right Fellow Listers, The purported updates regarding the ICT Practioners Bill that have been intermittently flying in this forum are fallacious and misleading. If indeed the author of the updates was anointed to represent KICTANet on the Multi stakeholder consultations on the Bill as claimed, then listers obtained a raw deal. The self styled supplier of "updates" was not present at the various stages of consultations including forums held at the Communications Authority premises, stakeholder position's harmonization at MOIC Teleposta, the stakeholders Retreat with the Energy Committee that included representatives of the MOIC, Communications Authority, ICTAK, KEPSA, KITOs among others. As much as there is zeal to share "updates", the good citizen is severely limited in terms of subsequent developments, having participated very tangentially in the process of deliberating on the Bill. Contrary to the antagonistic impression painted through and through, the stakeholders were able to reason together and by the time the Retreat with the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and ICT concluded, consensus had largely been reached on all the issues. The deliberations largely succeeded because parties adopted an open minded approach and applied themselves to intellectual focus to justify their positions on the Bill. On point was the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Joe Mucheru who was able to justify his reservations against the Bill, not by displaying "power and might" but through a meticulously reasoned and deeply analytical presentation. Hard-line positions were melted down not by online braggadocio but by cogent arguments wrapped in sound logic. People persuaded others and got persuaded by others. Deliberations proceeded in good faith. Needless to state, this Bill like any other is not a matter of life and death. Parliament would be within its mandate to pass the Bill intact, to amend it or to reject it altogether. All the same, I have full confidence that the Energy and ICT Committee will sift the issues as requested jointly by stakeholders and make drastic recommendations on the Bill to eliminate any possibility of negative disruption to the Kenyan ICT growth trajectory. Thus, personal obsession should not form a basis for castigating the views or initiatives of others regardless of how unsound one perceives them to be from their own perspective. Listers must also be wary of people who will never approve anything as long as it has not passed through their own hands. As long as we are in a constitutional democracy, individual citizens wield a right to lawfully pursue any agenda of choice. Nothing for instance would prevent anyone from forwarding a "Nyama Choma Practitioners Bill" to Parliament for Consideration. My humble understanding is that KICTANet is a serious platform where listers are at liberty to exchange ideas that are supportive of ICT sectoral progress. To this end wisdom should flow unfettered. This imposes a responsibility to ensure that information supplied is factual, evidence based and not merely driven by a passion for online flamboyance. In the alternative, this forum could easily degenerate to mediocrity of proportions only comparable to that of third rate blogs. God forbid! Kamotho

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Update on the ICT Practitioners Bill - Get the Facts Right
by Kamotho Njenga 10 Dec '16

10 Dec '16

Fellow Listers, The purported updates regarding the ICT Practioners Bill that have been intermittently flying in this forum are fallacious and misleading. If indeed the author of the updates was anointed to represent KICTANet on the Multi stakeholder consultations on the Bill as claimed, then listers obtained a raw deal. The self styled supplier of "updates" was not present at the various stages of consultations including forums held at the Communications Authority premises, stakeholder position's harmonization at MOIC Teleposta, the stakeholders Retreat with the Energy Committee that included representatives of the MOIC, Communications Authority, ICTAK, KEPSA, KITOs among others. As much as there is zeal to share "updates", the good citizen is severely limited in terms of subsequent developments, having participated very tangentially in the process of deliberating on the Bill. Contrary to the antagonistic impression painted through and through, the stakeholders were able to reason together and by the time the Retreat with the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and ICT concluded, consensus had largely been reached on all the issues. The deliberations largely succeeded because parties adopted an open minded approach and applied themselves to intellectual focus to justify their positions on the Bill. On point was the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Joe Mucheru who was able to justify his reservations against the Bill, not by displaying "power and might" but through a meticulously reasoned and deeply analytical presentation. Hard-line positions were melted down not by online braggadocio but by cogent arguments wrapped in sound logic. People persuaded others and got persuaded by others. Deliberations proceeded in good faith. Needless to state, this Bill like any other is not a matter of life and death. Parliament would be within its mandate to pass the Bill intact, to amend it or to reject it altogether. All the same, I have full confidence that the Energy and ICT Committee will sift the issues as requested jointly by stakeholders and make drastic recommendations on the Bill to eliminate any possibility of negative disruption to the Kenyan ICT growth trajectory. Thus, personal obsession should not form a basis for castigating the views or initiatives of others regardless of how unsound one perceives them to be from their own perspective. Listers must also be wary of people who will never approve anything as long as it has not passed through their own hands. As long as we are in a constitutional democracy, individual citizens wield a right to lawfully pursue any agenda of choice. Nothing for instance would prevent anyone from forwarding a "Nyama Choma Practitioners Bill" to Parliament for Consideration. My humble understanding is that KICTANet is a serious platform where listers are at liberty to exchange ideas that are supportive of ICT sectoral progress. To this end wisdom should flow unfettered. This imposes a responsibility to ensure that information supplied is factual, evidence based and not merely driven by a passion for online flamboyance. In the alternative, this forum could easily degenerate to mediocrity of proportions only comparable to that of third rate blogs. God forbid! Kamotho

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Revised/Updated Draft ICT Policy for discussion at Laico tomorrow, Wed 16th Aug 2016
by Walubengo J 09 Dec '16

09 Dec '16

Listers, I have not cleared with the Ministry but I believe the attached is a public document since it will be discussed tomorrow by the public. Find attached the revised Draft ICT Policy for your review. If you have any final comments, I know they will be welcome during the deliberation tomorrow at Laico. rgds. walu.

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Re: [kictanet] Promotion of Digital and Cashless Economy
by Ali Hussein 08 Dec '16

08 Dec '16

Mildred True that. With the right policies, willingness and political will everything is possible. *Ali Hussein* *Principal* *Hussein & Associates* Tel: +254 713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> 13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing, Chiromo Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the organizations that I work with. On Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 9:19 PM, Mildred Achoch via kictanet < kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > Hi Ali and Mwendwa, > > If India can do it then hopefully Kenya can also do it :-) > > Regards, > Mildred Achoch. > > Check out the Rock 'n' roll film festival, Kenya TV Channel! > http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com > > > > On Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 7:01 PM, Mwendwa Kivuva via kictanet < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > >> I did too think it was Kenya. Why burst the bubble of an optimistic >> Kenyan? >> >> >> On Thursday, 8 December 2016, Ali Hussein via kictanet < >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >> >>> For a moment I thought that was Kenya... >>> >>> Oh well... :-) >>> >>> *Ali Hussein* >>> >>> *Principal* >>> >>> *Hussein & Associates* >>> >>> >>> >>> Tel: +254 713 601113 >>> >>> Twitter: @AliHKassim >>> >>> Skype: abu-jomo >>> >>> LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim >>> <http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim> >>> >>> >>> 13th Floor , Delta Towers, Oracle Wing, >>> >>> Chiromo Road, Westlands, >>> >>> Nairobi, Kenya. >>> >>> Any information of a personal nature expressed in this email are purely >>> mine and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the >>> organizations that I work with. >>> >>> On Thu, Dec 8, 2016 at 5:52 PM, Mildred Achoch via kictanet < >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >>> >>>> Hi all, >>>> >>>> This may be of interest: >>>> >>>> "Govt introduces a package of incentives for promotion of digital and >>>> cashless economy" >>>> >>>> "0.75% discount on purchase of petrol/diesel through digital means" >>>> >>>> "All railway passengers buying online ticket shall be given free >>>> accidental insurance cover of upto Rs. 10 lakh" >>>> >>>> http://www.narendramodi.in/package-for-promotion-of-digital >>>> -and-cashless-economy--533456 >>>> >>>> Regards, >>>> Mildred Achoch. >>>> >>>> >>>> Check out the Rock 'n' roll film festival, Kenya TV Channel! >>>> http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m >>>> ailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com >>>> >>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >>>> >>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >>>> >>> >>> >> >> -- >> ______________________ >> Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya >> twitter.com/lordmwesh >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/m >> ailman/options/kictanet/mildandred%40gmail.com >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/ > mailman/options/kictanet/info%40alyhussein.com > > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform > for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development. > > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >

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Promotion of Digital and Cashless Economy
by Mildred Achoch 08 Dec '16

08 Dec '16

Hi all, This may be of interest: "Govt introduces a package of incentives for promotion of digital and cashless economy" "0.75% discount on purchase of petrol/diesel through digital means" "All railway passengers buying online ticket shall be given free accidental insurance cover of upto Rs. 10 lakh" http://www.narendramodi.in/package-for-promotion-of-digital-and-cashless-ec… Regards, Mildred Achoch. Check out the Rock 'n' roll film festival, Kenya TV Channel! http://kenyarockfilmfestivaljournal.blogspot.com

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UPDATE ON KICTANET ENGAGEMENT WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ON THE ICT PRACTITIONERS BILL
by Ali Hussein 08 Dec '16

08 Dec '16

Dear all Further to our formal update on this matter on 17th August 2016. As we had earlier informed you, KICTANet is working in a consortium comprising of ourselves, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK), Kenya Information Technology and Outsourcing Services (KITOS), Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) and the iHub. The consortium after presenting a memorandum opposing the Bill was told that this was not among the options available to the National Assembly Energy and ICT Committee as the role of the committee was to consider the Bill and report back to the House. The Committee advised that we single out clauses that we would like amended and propose amendments. In considering amendments, the consortium was guided by the following: a) ICTs are novel and cross-cutting and therefore, many people in various professions may be defined as ICT practitioners if the term was to be broadly interpreted. The law should not target people whose primary occupation is not ICT or people who use ICT as an enabler to their primary occupation. b) There are many especially young people using ICTs to develop solutions to everyday challenges through experimental approaches. The law should not be crafted as a hindrance to innovation. c) After listening to the concerns of the sponsor of the Bill, where he cited quacks as a problem in the ICT sector, the consortium proposed that there could be a database of ICT practitioners but without accompanying encumbrances such as annual licensing, tests and mandatory training. d) Other issues were the need for a governing organ that was representative of the sector and the overarching principle that government/governance should be more of facilitative than a hindrance to people's freedom to achieve their destiny. We would just like to assure the network that we participated in proposing amendments as this was the only avenue provided by the Committee to receive our memorandum. We have always reiterated our position that we are opposed to this Bill in toto. We are awaiting the report of the Committee which will then be tabled in Parliament for subsequent parliamentary procedures. We are cognisant of the fact that the Bill is sponsored by the Member for Garissa Town who is also the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly. We had written to him expressing our opposition to the Bill and praying that Parliament help this sector by prioritising other crucial Bills such as the Data Protection Act. We call upon members of this network to join us in sensitizing Members of Parliament on our rationale for opposing this law. It is only through concerted efforts that we can kill this Bill. #KillTheICTBill Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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Re: [kictanet] Introducing ForceCoin
by Erick Mwangi 08 Dec '16

08 Dec '16

Afternoon Everyone, A couple of mates from MIT have been involved in starting a new global currency called ForceCoin. This will run on top of SalesForce and will be VF developed by the global community like Ethereum. Current members are Deloitte, Accenture, IBM, Cannon, KLM etc They have been working with SalesForce the second largest enterprise cloud providers of CRM in the world, this will be built on top of their platform - this will solve identity problems and ownership of platforms as this will be a completely private blockchain that works as a public one. SalesForce is a pure cloud company unlike Amazon with literary every institutional investor having a stake in it - Hoping banks will come on-board.. On Monday 12th December 2016 ForceCoin plans to replace Bitcoin as a new virtual global currency! What a time to be alive.. https://www.ethereum.org/ http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/crm/institutional-holdings With Regards, E Njoroge Mwangi Technology| FINTECH | Big Data Cell +44 7539372742 <+44%207539%20372742> Skype: Erick.mwangi

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TechWomen Emerging Leaders program 2017 (Fully Funded): Deadline 17 January 2017
by Du Toit, Jaco 07 Dec '16

07 Dec '16

Dear Members of the Network, I am sharing the information below in case you are interested. Regards, Maribel Source: https://www.empowerwomen.org/en/community/events-opportunities/2016/11/tech… *** TechWomen Emerging Leaders program 2017 (Fully Funded) • 23 November 2016 - 17 January 2017 09:00 GMT+8 • United States • Techwomen- an initiative of th U.S Department od State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs TechWomen brings emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East together with their professional counterparts in the United States for a mentorship and exchange program. TechWomen provides participants access to networks, resources, and knowledge to empower them to reach their full potential. During the five-week program, participants engage in project-based mentorships at leading companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, participate in professional development<https://www.techwomen.org/program/professional-development> workshops and networking events, and travel to Washington, DC. for targeted meetings and special events to conclude the program. Selection Process TechWomen participants are selected based on the eligibility requirements below. Applications are reviewed by independent selection committees composed of industry leaders and regional experts. Semifinalists may be interviewed by United States Embassy personnel in their country of permanent residence. 2017 TechWomen Eligibility Requirements Applicants must * Be women with, at minimum, two years full-time professional experience in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Please note that internships and other unpaid work experience does not count toward the two-year professional experience requirement. * Have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree/four-year university degree or equivalent. * Be proficient in written and spoken English. * Be citizens and permanent residents of Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or Zimbabwe at the time of application and while participating in the program. * Be eligible to obtain a U.S. J-1 exchange visitor visa. * Not have applied for an immigrant visa to the United States or participated in a visa lottery in the past five years. * Not hold U.S. citizenship or be a U.S. legal permanent resident. Preference will be given to applicants who * Demonstrate themselves as emerging leaders in their chosen professional track through their work experience, volunteer experience, community activities and education. * Are committed to return to their home countries to share what they have learned and mentor women and girls. * Have limited or no prior experience in the United States. * Have a proven record of voluntary or public service in their communities. * Have a demonstrated track record of entrepreneurialism and commitment to innovation. * Demonstrate a willingness to participate in exchange programs, welcome opportunities for mentoring and new partnership development, and exhibit confidence and maturity. TechWomen encourages people with diverse backgrounds and skills to apply, including individuals with disabilities. Women committed to addressing concerns of global climate change and environmental issues are particularly encouraged to apply. Selection Timeline The 2017 TechWomen application will be open November 15, 2016, through January 17, 2017. Semifinalists will be contacted via email in/around March 2017. Final decisions will be made no later than early May 2017. All applicants will be notified of the results of their application. To apply click here<https://app.techwomen.org/application/>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Network of Women with Disabilities going to AWID" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to WWDAWIDgroup+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com<mailto:WWDAWIDgroup+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/WWDAWIDgroup/DM2PR07MB15294D8D123BF1D0742…<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/WWDAWIDgroup/DM2PR07MB15294D8D123BF1D0742…>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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What It Will Take for Us to Trust Artificial Intelligence
by Ali Hussein 07 Dec '16

07 Dec '16

Listers The early days of artificial intelligence have been met with some very public hand wringing. Well-respected technologists and business leaders have voiced their concerns over the (responsible) development of AI. And Hollywood’s appetite for dystopian AI narratives appears to be bottomless. This is not unusual, nor is it unreasonable. Change, technological or otherwise, always excites the imagination. And it often makes us a little uncomfortable. Read on:- https://hbr.org/2016/11/what-it-will-take-for-us-to-trust-ai?gig_events=soc… Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought". ~ Albert Szent-Györgyi Sent from my iPad

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