Muthoni,

What you have intiiated is apt. I wanted to plan a comprehensive response but don't have time now. So just a little bit, as you review the curriculum, is there anyway to ensure that it is dynamic enough commensurate to the dyanmisim of the industry?. What I mean is that there are some courses that should be a little open to change instead of waiting for comprehensive curriculum reviews. It is important for example to have a course on ICT and Society or ICT4D so that the students can immediately apply the 'techi' part to development oppportunities...they may surprise us with some mind-boggling innovations. In addition, a course like the one I suggest should be seminar driven and more by the students especially in the second half of the semester or second semester depending on how it is planned.....oh let me just continue when I am flowing but excuse me as in a hurry.

A part of the curriculum must be wholly cognizant of the revolution in ICTs in Africa and Kenya specificially and the developing world in general. This includes the role of ICTs in Economic Growth and Poverty alleviation.What I meant about student driven is that there has be emphasis in this course on students making informed contributions in class, preparing questions based on a reading list and leading class discussion. We can discuss more when we meet, really got to go.

Best,
Nyaki

---

From: Muthoni Masinde <muthoni@uonbi.ac.ke>
To: elizaslider@yahoo.com
Cc: moturi <moturi@uonbi.ac.ke>; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke>; "sci-acad@uonbi.ac.ke" <sci-acad@uonbi.ac.ke>; waema@uonbi.ac.ke
Sent: Mon, November 9, 2009 10:54:47 PM
Subject: Re: [kictanet] The Premier B.Sc. Computer Science Programme in Kenya

Re: [kictanet] The Premier B.Sc. Computer Science Programme in Kenya Barrack,
Thank you for the input and the suggestion on contacting KAM and KEPSA.

Best regards,
Muthoni


On 11/9/09 5:39 PM, "Barrack Otieno" <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Muthoni,
Congratulations, for me the greatest thing you have done is to invite stakeholders to contribute to this brilliant initiative. With regard to the issue of internships it would be good to get commitment from KAM and KEPSA as well as  their input
Thanks

On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 5:19 PM, Tuma Barua <tumabarua@gmail.com> wrote:

Muthoni,

I would like to thank the UoN team for this brilliant initiative. I feel some aroma of good leadership. I know for sure, that universities are not mandated to inject junks into the markets. It is for this reason that, I am motivated to provide my input below.

* Consider embedding an industrial attachment(s) within the program to allow students interact with the industries before graduating. in my opinion, this might be a good opportunity, if used well, to have the student market themselves (and UoN).
* Consider introducing other specializations/programs like Software Engineering, Information Management (Refer to Computer Science Body of Knowledge).
* UoN to take leadership and develop an organization/society responsible for developing a common body of knowledge for all IT/IS/CS programs.Is it possible to use this one, instead of a branded one?
* Research Project: Have the project include at least an academic and an external supervisor (from the industry).
* Liaise with some a number of companies that can provide opportunities to deal with a certain specific problem in the industry. UoN might partner with these companies in commercializing the idea, if involved from the beginning.
* I think the social and professional issues are not covered well by the current bouquet of courses.  

It is good to see a university not only responsible for quantity of the graduates but also in their quality. How else does it become competitive?  

Former student.



On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 2:08 PM, Muthoni Masinde <muthoni@uonbi.ac.ke> wrote:

Washington,
Like Tim Waema has mentioned, we do not have a new curriculum but are currently developing one.  What I sent out in my previous email is the current one that we would like to modify and incorporate your (the stakeholders) input.

Regards,
Muthoni




On 11/9/09 12:31 PM, "Okoth Washington" <wokoth@kebs.org> wrote:

Good afternoon Madam,
 
Kindly circulate the current proposal to enable us review and positively contribute to it in line with the two issues you raised.
 
I would also like to share Agosta’ s view on stakeholders forum
 
Okoth Washington
 

From: kictanet-bounces+wokoth=kebs.org <http://kebs.org> @lists.kictanet.or.ke <http://lists.kictanet.or.ke>  [mailto:kictanet-bounces+wokoth=kebs.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke] <mailto:kictanet-bounces+wokoth=kebs.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke%5D>  <mailto:kictanet-bounces+wokoth=kebs.org@lists.kictanet.or.ke%5D>  On Behalf Of Muthoni Masinde
Sent: 08 November 2009 16:45
To: Okoth Washington
Cc: moturi; waema@uonbi.ac.ke; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: [kictanet] The Premier B.Sc. Computer Science Programme in Kenya

Hello everyone,

Below is a brief description of the first (in Kenya) Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programme; it is currently under review:


MOTIVATIONS AND OBJECTIVES

The School of Computing & Informatics (formerly Institute of Computer Science) of the University of Nairobi launched the Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) programme in 1992. The programme was aimed at meeting perceived development needs in Kenya, which it has done very well. Indeed, most of the computer science professionals in industry today have been developed through this programme. However, with experience in offering this programme and given changes in national development needs as well as changes in the fast evolving area of IT, it has become necessary to revise this programme.
 
This programme is part of a set of academic programmes (Masters programmes in: 1) Computer Science, 2) Applied Computer Science and 3) Information Systems as well as PhD in Computer Science) at the School that have been motivated by the following needs at the national level:
 
(a)   The need for Kenya to harness IT for increased productivity and effectiveness in all sectors of the economy for national prosperity.
(b)  The need for widespread socio-economic awareness (in Kenya) of the purpose and capabilities of information systems.
(c)   The need for Kenya to participate effectively in and reap maximum benefits from the global information economy.
(d)  The need to address the increasing demand for IT education in the world of work.
 
The specific objectives of the Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) programme are:
(a)       To present the theoretical foundations in computer science and to integrate these theories in a way that gives the learner deep knowledge of computer science
(b)       To enable learners to use the knowledge gained to analyze, design and implement solutions to a wide range of real-world problems.
(c)       To develop learners who are practical and problem solving-oriented and capable of life-long learning.
(d)       To contribute to the production of computer science and information systems professionals required at the various levels of our nation’s industrial development and thereby be a partner in the industrial development of Kenya.
 
PROGRAMME REVIEW GUIDELINES
A number of us in the KICTANET list have a stake in this programme; we are either current/potential employers/parents/guardians of these graduates or we could be current/past students of this programme or even policy makers in relevant sectors.  We will appreciate if you could share with us your general views on the following two issues:
 

1. The kind of Computer Science graduate the market needs; in terms of knowledge and skills
2. The kind of courses you would recommend to be critical for this graduate
   

Sent by Muthoni Masinde (Lecturer, School of Computing and Informatics) in consultation with:
Christopher  Moturi (Deputy Director, School of Computing and Informatics)
Tim Waema (Professor, School of Computing and Informatics)


Thank you

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