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