Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Dear GKD Members, I have been a member of this group for a while, but have not posted before. At this point I wanted to note that often we forget what the purpose of the ICTs is. Not ICT for ICT's sake, but what function are they to perform. What aspect of life, economy, education, etc. will they improve in a community and how. So, when we provide equipment and technical training without a concrete social or economic purpose, we are bound to run into problems. For instance, when we bring ICT into schools, which is my area of expertise, often teachers are trained in basic computer skills first. When this training does not relate these skills to what teachers do in their work and how ICTs can improve their work, computer skill training often leads nowhere. It does not advance the use of ICT in the learning process. Teachers can use a word processor, or excel sheet, but they still do not connect the use of a word processor with their next English lesson. They can manipulate an Internet browser, but rarely use it to do research for their subject or engage their students in research. The same would apply to ICT for economic development. When you plan to bring computers or Internet or any software into a rural community, the first thing to ask is what this community would to with it and how it would improve what they are already doing in the community. Best Regards, Zoya Zoya Naskova International Development and Education Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.geocities.com/sol_zoya/zoya.html ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Sudhakar Chandra wrote: Richard Koman wrote: Part of a country's information infrastructure is having the people to be able to deploy, manage, maintain, start businesses, etc. So the effect of graduating the Cisco center may not be immediate employment but it seems a necessary but not sufficent step in the right direction. I guess I am looking a gifted horse in the mouth. My feeling is that students must be taught the fundamentals of computing and IT. Teaching how to use the products of a specific vendor produces graduates who know how to use only those. Should the UNDP and US-AID be indirectly endorsing the products of a specific vendor? Agree that legitimate CS degree programs are more to the point of long-term capacity building. (something that appears to be quite lacking in uganda, btw). otoh, cisco is de facto standard so it's somewhat different than annointing one company from among several competitors. OR, you could say, teaching how to use real-world products produces students who know how to admin networks in reality as opposed to only being schooled in the generalized fundamentals. Richard ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Interesting post. I thought, if you're not aware of our digital bookmobile project, it might be worth putting it on your radar. Funded by an InfoDev grant, AnywhereBooks enabled the national library of Uganda to download, print and bind books from the internet and distribute them to schools, libraries and children, as well as for special occassions. While this is focused on reading and education, health applications are quite interesting: delivering, on paper, subject-oriented journal articles, pharmaceutical information, books, etc., can be a compelling way to leverage current information online onto easily accessible information on paper. more at www.anywherebooks.org On Apr 17, 2004, Steven Rudolph wrote: I attended a conference a few weeks ago at UC Berkeley, where there was a keynote of John Morgridge (Chairman of Cisco), followed by Robert Reich (former Secretary of Labor under Clinton). Morgridge spoke of the need to have a blended strategy (financial plus social), and he of course emphasized how the CCNAs were providing opportunities to people for job creation. Though I appreciated his overall concept, the question of whether or not this training would actually result in job creation and social impact was doubtful at best. Robert Reich, on the other hand, talked about a need for education--but not training people with skills for commoditizable jobs. Rather, to educate people in becoming more innovative and adaptable. Agreed, it might be hard to do this for senior adult workers out looking for work because their job was outsourced. However, as a long-term strategy, it makes more sense--not only for people in the US, but also for people in developing countries. Richard Koman wrote: I find it rather short-sighted to say that job training should be completely focused on training for currently available jobs. Development means moving the entire society to a new level doesn't it? Part of a country's information infrastructure is having the people to be able to deploy, manage, maintain, start businesses, etc. So the effect of graduating the Cisco center may not be immediate employment but it seems a necessary but not sufficent step in the right direction. ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Steven Rudolph wrote: I attended a conference a few weeks ago at UC Berkeley, where there was a keynote of John Morgridge (Chairman of Cisco), followed by Robert Reich (former Secretary of Labor under Clinton). Morgridge spoke of the need to have a blended strategy (financial plus social), and he of course emphasized how the CCNAs were providing opportunities to people for job creation. Though I appreciated his overall concept, the question of whether or not this training would actually result in job creation and social impact was doubtful at best. Robert Reich, on the other hand, talked about a need for education--but not training people with skills for commoditizable jobs. Rather, to educate people in becoming more innovative and adaptable. Agreed, it might be hard to do this for senior adult workers out looking for work because their job was outsourced. However, as a long-term strategy, it makes more sense--not only for people in the US, but also for people in developing countries. What's interesting about all of this is how it applies to the developing world. I was a technical editor and writer for CramSession.com, so the certification industry is not alien to me. I also presently teach in a developing country at the University of the West Indies School of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago campuses). There's a lot of interest in computers. There are a lot of bright people taking the courses I teach - Basic Computer Repair, Advanced Computer Repair, Microcomputer Networking and Web Design. I often send students of the Microcomputer Networking class to the Cisco site simply because it has just about everything one needs to know about networking. Very good information, and it's commendable that anyone with an internet connection can access it. The flip side is that there's a lack of employment for people who take these courses. The market is flooded with qualified people; solutions seeking problems. Only there is no employment. Some make ends meet by free-lancing, but most simply borrow more money and take more courses, becoming even more overqualified for the present jobs available. Industry has not caught up. In trying to solve a problem, is a greater problem being created? On the ground, where the rubber meets the road, it's apparent more training is not the solution that many people believe it is. Why is industry not caught up? In a country where it takes about 3 months to start a company, where internet connectivity is expensive for SMEs, and where there's no way to accept funds across the internet - it's apparent why industry is not caught up. As an *educator*, I shall say that more training is not the solution, and may be aggravating the problem. Until infrastructure issues are addressed which will free the technological competence we give, there will be no progress. -- Taran Rampersad [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.knowprose.com http://www.easylum.net http://www.worldchanging.com http://www.fsc.cc http://www.a42.com ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
I think using the networks for things like e-Governance would be a demonstratable case, further, there is always market value-added services, which require some networks. You can also use the systems to support services like water service management (e.g. monitoring leakage demand, billing, etc). In other words, any aspect of development that is constrained due to lack of sufficient and timely knowledge can use some computer help. It is not essential for the 'masses' to understand or appreciate computer use (though that too would be useful) but that those who can use information to offer better services to the public can access the necessary computing power. Regards Kamwati Lunghabo James wrote: I have still failed to understand how Cisco training would be translated into economic development initiatives even before the masses can first appreciate computer usage. Can some one help me piece up things here? ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Dear Sudhakar, Daniel, et al. Thanks very much for raising these important questions. See below for my responses. 1. Should we be churning out hundreds of CCNAs every year when there are not nearly enough jobs to take them in? I agree, the issue of jobs is one of the most crucial indicators of the impact of the Academy Program. I am not aware of any formal market size studies for computer networking graduates in Uganda but most government officials say it is expected to grow over time. Currently, over 60 percent of CCNA graduates in Uganda are employed in the private and public sectors. 2. Is the CCNA program a revenue stream for Cisco? Cisco requires that all its academies under the LDC Initiative operate on a cost-recovery basis. Thus, as far as I can tell, there is no direct revenue stream for Cisco. Of course there are indirect benefits such as building a market of ICT professionals who may end up working for Cisco to generate more profits. Thanks. 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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Hi all, I have still failed to understand how Cisco training would be translated into economic development initiatives even before the masses can first appreciate computer usage. Can some one help me piece up things here? regards Wire James ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Rather than stop the CCNx programs wholesale, we provide a graded series of programs starting with primary and secondary computer education, and computer maintenance skills. That way different training needs and opportunities are presented for rural dwellers. We have used this approach to reduce urban drift from our rural location in Nigeria. And yes, Cisco can extend its investing and subsidy to these other Non-Cisco programs that are probably more relevant for rural ICT enterprises. Sudhakar Chandra wrote: In my opinion, Cisco is much better off investing all the money that it is currently spending subsidizing the CCNx programs on primary and secondary computer education. ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Sudhakar, Tariq et al, I think this is my first intervention since being a lurker on the list for several months. I am the director for the Uconnect Schools Project in Uganda. We provide mostly recycled computers to mostly rural primary and secondary schools here on a not-for-profit basis, i.e. they receive a PII (or Celeron equivalent) workstation with 17 monitor loaded with Win98 Open Office 1.1 and a few other applications, including DeepFreeze for $175. Schools provide their own transport for taking delivery. After setting up ten or more stand alone workstations at their computer lab they send one or two teachers and three or four students for a five half day Network Training Workshop NTW, bring with them a floorplan of their lab, and by the end of the workshop they will have cut, crimped and tested the Cat5 cable to return to the school to set up the LAN. They pay $100 in total for the five or six trainees, plus cost of Cat5 and RJ45s. This works, and is scalable. Without going into too much detail, next steps are to get the school lab connected by a variety of broadband technologies available here, then we provide those schools with a SchoolAxxess server (built on Compaq P4 2.4 GHz with entry level two (mirrored) 40 GB IDE drives for $750, including a Telecentre Management Training course for staff who will run the lab as a community telecentre after hours on a for-profit basis. I wouldn't think that the Networking Academies were a significant revenue stream for Cisco, though they might be for the local institutions that run them. I think Tariq, that you are probably in a better position to answer that question. You will have read in Tariq's intervention about the Cisco Networking Academy success stories from Uganda, including Lorna's, who was our Project Coordinator. In fact several of our team either have or are taking CCAP and CCNP. I am not sure to what extent those studies have contributed to their ability to conduct the above-mentioned NTWs, but I would guess that our training programme, specifically aimed at the students and teachers from primary and secondary schools in Uganda, has benefitted at least indirectly from their training with Cisco. Hope this helps. Kind regards, Daniel Stern ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
Re: [GKD] Update on Cisco LDC Initiative in Uganda
Tariq Mohammed wrote: 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. snip 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. Dear Tariq, Thanks for sharing your success with us. I was in neighbouring Kenya working in a rural women's college which was under the Jomo Kenyatta University-based Cisco Regional Academy. The college where I volunteered (through VSO) was offering CCNA courses and was planning to expand into other Sponsored curriculum such as the ones that you mention. I must confess that I was very ambivalent about the actual value of a CCNA/CCNE/CCNP in an LDC. 1. In my estimation, there is only a little demand for network and system administrators in a country like Kenya (and I presume Uganda as well). Should we be churning out hundreds of CCNAs every year when there are not nearly enough jobs to take them in? 2. Is the CCNx program a revenue stream for Cisco? I had to battle this question constantly during my work. 3. Do we need to be teaching impoverished people about network administration when we could teach them much more useful things like how to use a computer to help them manage their resources well. In other words, teach them computer usage as a tool rather than computer usage as an end in itself. In my opinion, Cisco is much better off investing all the money that it is currently spending subsidizing the CCNx programs on primary and secondary computer education. Thanks. S. ***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]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
