Dear All, A little over a year ago, I arrived in Uganda as United Nations Volunteer (UNV). The purpose of this message is to update ICT4D practitioners about the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Initiative, a private-public partnership between Cisco Systems, UNDP, UNV, ITU and USAID. I've been providing weekly reports to the Cisco LDCI team, but thought it would be beneficial for others to read about our progress. While we've come a long way there is so much more that needs doing! Here are the highlights from 2003-2004:
* The CNAP in Uganda has grown from 3 Academies in 2003 to 17 in 2004. * Uganda became the first Least Developed Country to offer the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) curriculum. * Launched 3 Sponsored Curriculum courses - IT Essentials, Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling and Fundamentals of UNIX - by Hewlett Packard, Panduit and Sun Microsystems. * Established a Workforce Development Program by building 10 private-public partnerships. * Received 5 awards during the 2003 Africa Academy Forum held in Dakar, Senegal. * Success stories of 2 female students. * Goals for 2005-2006. Nationwide Expansion of ICT Training Opportunities As a result of the success of the Least Developed Countries Initiative, the partners (UNDP, USAID, and UNV) decided to move into Phase II of the project. The purpose of Phase II is to build a pipeline reaching down to the secondary school level, out to secondary cities and beyond--providing access and opportunities to more people and contributing to the development of the countries and the success of individuals. Target institutions in Uganda have included girls’ secondary schools and universities in secondary cities throughout the country. 1. Institute of Computer Science, Makerere University (ICS) 2. Department of Women and Gender Studies, Makerere University 3. Makerere University Business School 4. Gulu University 5. Islamic University in Uganda 6. Kampala International University 7. Kyambogo University 8. Mbarara University of Science and Technology 9. Uganda Christian University 10. Uganda Martyrs University 11. Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) 12. Uganda Technical College Bushenyi 13. Uganda Technical College Elgon 14. Uganda Technical College Kichwamba 15. Uganda Technical CollegeLira 16. Uganda Technical College Masaka 17. Gayaza High School Uganda became the first LDC to offer Cisco Certified Network Professional curriculum. Thanks to a US$ 65,000 grant from Cisco Systems, Uganda became the first LDC to offer the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) curriculum. On November 26, 2003 the CCNP program was launched at the Institute of Computer Science at Makerere University. Honorable John Nasasira, Minister of Housing, Works and Communications officially declared the CCNP computer laboratory open. Other distinguished guests at the CCNP launch were Cisco Systems’ executives, US government officials and UN representatives. Currently there are 27 students enrolled in the course of which a significant number are women. Launched 3 Sponsored Curriculum courses USAID awarded Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) with sponsorship for the commencement of the Fundamentals of Voice and Data Cabling and UNIX curricula. Funds were provided for both the equipment necessary and instructor training in South Africa. In addition USAID awarded the Department of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University with sponsorship of the IT Essentials curriculum. Currently there are 18 students enrolled for IT Essentials, 10 students on UNIX and enrollment for Voice and Data Cabling is in process. Established a Workforce Development Program After conducting a needs-assessment the Workforce Development Program was initiated by educational institutions with assistance from United Nations Volunteers to give students and graduates of CNAP practical experience in Uganda’s growing ICT sector. Through partnerships with the private sector, government and civil society, the Workforce Development Program enables Cisco students and graduates to be ready to tackle the demands of the ICT labor market. Activities in this initiative involve work-site tours, job postings, information sessions, internships, resume referral and networking with IT professionals. Benefits to Workforce Development Program partners include: lowering IT recruitment and turnover costs, providing customized technical assistance and creating a pool of highly skilled, well-prepared entry-level workers. Currently the Workforce Development Program Partners in Uganda are (not in any specific order): 1. Uganda Telecom 2. MTN Uganda 3. Africa Online Uganda 4. Information Technology Trends Ltd. 5. Linux Solutions 6. Roko Technical Services 7. I-Network 8. Women of Uganda Network 9. Uganda Connect 10. Conservation Through Public Health Received 5 Awards from the 2003 Africa Academy Forum held in Dakar, Senegal During December 3-5, 2003 at the Cisco Networking Academy Program Africa Forum in Dakar Senegal, the Ugandan Academies received several awards and prizes for their achievements within the Least Developed Countries Initiative. Uganda was recognized for the following: * Most Graduates, Regional Academy (UICT) * Highest Country Female Enrollment * Highest Country Enrollment * Highest Enrollment, Local Academy within the LDC Initiative (ICS) * Job Placement Award (ICS) Success Stories The success of the CNAP in Uganda is largely dependent on the performance of Cisco students. Below are some shining examples from 2003-2004. * Ms. Lorna Ongejje, a CCNA graduate from the Institute of Computer Science at Makerere University was invited to attend the 2003 Africa Academy Forum in Dakar, Senegal for her outstanding student achievements. During her CCNA course she was an unpaid intern at Uganda Connect, a local NGO that aims to provide ICT training to primary and secondary schools around the country. Lorna's role as a project coordinator was to conduct basic training in computer networking for teachers at partner schools. After gaining valuable work experience, The Monitor, a leading national newspaper hired her as a Systems Administrator to manage the company's computer network. * Ms. Anita Mago-Sempa was pursuing her Masters Degree in Women and Gender Studies, when she learned about the new CCNA course being offered at the Department of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University. After graduating from the Academy, she used her ICT skills to improve her business by networking customers’ systems. Not only has this given her more confidence, but made her company more competitive in Uganda’s dynamic marketplace. She has encouraged her son Mago- Mulangwa to take up the CCNA course. During October, 2003 Anita was invited to attend the International Telecommunications Union's Telecom World Conference in Geneva. Goals for 2004-05 Given the rapid expansion of the CNAP in Uganda, the LDC Initiative partners have strongly emphasized the need to ensure sustainability. To do so some of the following projects hope to be undertaken: * Strengthening and expanding the Workforce Development Program: Peace Corps will recruit a Crisis Corps volunteer to assist in the areas of job placement as well as develop an Alumni Association to identify mentors with a special focus for rural Academies. * Developing a partnership with I-Network Techie Node: Cisco students and graduates would benefit from the technical expertise of members from I-Network's Techie Node. * Developing an Electronic Newsletter for Gender Best Practices: Raising female enrollment continues to be a challenge for Academies, as such the Department of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University will pilot an electronic mailing list to share experiences and strategies. * Broadcasting a Documentary on CNAP in Uganda: In preparation for the 2003 Africa Academy Forum in Senegal, video footage was shot illustrating the impact of the CNAP in Uganda. We hope to find sponsors to create a documentary to air on Ugandan TV. Conclusion It's been an eventful year for the CNAP in Uganda. Much of it would not be possible without the contributions of Academy administrators, instructors, students and graduates. I hope this program demonstrates how private-public partnerships can bring about effective change. It's been a pleasure working on this assignment and I wish the program continued success for the future. Sincerely, Tariq Tariq Mohammed United Nations Volunteer Cisco Least Developed Countries Initiative c/o Institute of Computer Science at Makerere University P.O. Box 7062 Kampala Uganda Cell + 256 (0)77 933350 Fax +256 (0)41 540620 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web Log: http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tariq ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. 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