Eye on ICT Blog
ALICT launches in Kenya
ALICT call for applicants extended to February 10th 2012. Download application forms here: http://www.gesci.org/call-for-applicants.html
The regional African Leadershihp in ICT course launched this week in Kenya. Twenty-two senior officials from ministries and public sector institutions gathered at the Kenya Distance Learning Centre (KDLC) for a comprehensive orientation workshop delivered by GESCI.
Call for Applicants for African Leadership in ICT Course
Building leadership skills in using ICT for social and economic development in Africa
Course Title: African Leadership in ICT (ALICT)
NO COURSE FEE REQUIRED!
Download application forms: http://www.gesci.org/call-for-applicants.html
Key Dates
Application deadline: January 16th 2012br />Course commences: January 2012
Course ends: July 2012
Eligibility:
Candidates must be residents of one of the following countries Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya
Candidates must work at mid or senior level management within the Science Technology and Innovation (STI), Education, and ICT domains
Course Benefits: Strengthened career- advancement opportunities through relevant professional development
Acquired 21st Century skills for the development of the Knowledge Society
Membership to a continent-wide Professional Network of ALICT alumni
Expected accumulated credits for post-graduate qualifications Working knowledge of web 2.0 tools (social media, tagging, blogging, podcasting, social bookmarking, vodcasting etc.)
Working knowledge of Futures Thinking Tools (Horizon Scanning; Scenario Development; Delphi Method and Trend Impact Analysis)
Appreciation for the importance of innovation and creativity in strategy formulation
Improved Communication Skills
Improved project management, policy planning and implementation skills
Mastery of Leadership Toolkit for the Knowledge Society
Only applicatins from the following organisations may apply
1. Ministries of Science and Technology
2. Ministries for Higher Education
3. Ministries for Education
4. Ministries for Communications and ICT
5. Ministries for Finance & Planning
6. Public sector organizations
7. Research organizations (undertaking research on Education, STI or ICT)
8. Universities (with Education, STI or ICT courses)
Download the application forms form here
continue reading >Teachers need three types of knowledge in the 21st Century
Education at all levels is considered the foundation for social and economic development the world over. Efforts to increase access to education in Africa and Kenya in particular through the introduction of free primary and secondary education have been commendable. However sharp increases in enrolments have put tremendous pressure on the provision of quality education as evidenced by recent studies showing that most children in school in the East African region score below average for literacy and numeracy. Increased enrolments have also raised questions of equity and whether we are providing our children with the relevant knowledge and skills for the 21st century. Many institutions are not equipped to handle the substantial increase in enrolments in terms of physical space, teachers (shortages and inadequate preparation) and instructional materials and equipment. Outdated and inappropriate methodologies and the mismatch between what is taught at institutions and what the economy and society demand, are some of the factors hampering relevance. Technology today offers us opportunities to address many of these challenges: it can be used to reach out-of-school children and young adults by breaking down the barriers of space and time, to provide up-to-date electronic learning materials that improve quality, to train more teachers, to strengthen the management of the education system among many other possibilities. In Kenya, the government is well aware of the potential of technology to help address some of these challenges. continue reading >
ICT4E in the Spotlight in Kenya
Kenya’s Citizen TV today [October 28th] hosted Permanent Secretary for Information and Communication Dr. Bitange Ndemo and Alex Twinomugisha of GESCI on its ‘Power Breakfast Show’. The show was somewhat uncontentious as both guests agreed on the fundamental importance of ICT to Education, and thus entrepreneurship and economic growth. As Twinomugisha candidly put it ‘the Bill Gates’ of this world don’t materialise from the vapor – they come from education systems’. Ndemo noted that most entrepreneurs are not academics, but have skills that can transform ideas into businesses and initiatives in every shape and form.
GESCI launch round-up
Presiding over the launch of GESCI as an international organisation at the UN Nairobi on September 29th were those who have been with GESCI since its inception and others such as the Finnish Ambassador to Kenya Sofie Emmesberger, and the Kenyan Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Communication Dr. Ndemo, who warmly welcomed GESCI to Kenya and congratulated the organisation on its momentous achievement.
From left: Finnish Ambassador to Kenya Sofie Emmesberger, Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Sweden Bjorn Haggmark, Jerome Morrissey GESCI CEO, Alex Twinomugisha GESCI, Brendan Tuohy GESCI Chairman, Jyrki Pulkkinen Senior Adviser Department for Development Policy Finland
GESCI's Chairman Brendan Tuohy opened the launch, providing a brief historical account of GESCI’s journey from an idea at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2003 and its official launch in 2005, right up to its establishment as an INGO in Kenya. Mr Tuohy gave special thanks to Irish Aid for their founding support for GESCI and their continued encouragement since GESCI’s relocation to Nairobi. Finnish Ambassador to Kenya Sofie Emmesberger and the Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Sweden Bjorn Haggmark congratulated GESCI on its new status and the associated privileges it will bring to GESCI. Both agreed that GESCI’s mandate is well aligned with Finnish and Swedish development cooperation and they wished GESCI continued success on the African continent. continue reading >