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Sep 5th, 2009 - 04:20:24 |
ASUDI
In the rapidly changing world where computer technology is a key influencing factor, it is critical that all the college students be equipped with the necessary skills essential in the process of learning, social networking, communication, online research, and documents’ typing, typesetting and formatting. These skills entail the capability of one to understand the key features of computers, its use and the applications of such knowledge and skills in the day to day learning and life processes.
Summarily, the primary computer skills which every college student needs to posses, as a requirement of most colleges include ‘basic to advanced knowledge in presentation, spreadsheet applications, bibliographic research techniques, internet searching principles, database searching skills, word processing, and information management’.
There are several reasons which make the computer skills necessary for the college students. First, in the course of study practically every course requires computer skills in communication between student and instructor, and submission of assignments in soft copy.
By embracing of e-learning and computerization of learning process, it is essential that every student posses certain basic computer skills especially the office packages, internet and email. These skills will be helpful in typing of assignments as very few professors will accept assignments submitted in hard copy.
Secondly, most colleges insist on practical education, concept mastery and ability of a student to interactively share his/her knowledge acquired in class through panel discussions and in-class presentations. Consequently, it is significant that every college students have the ability to generate quality and professional power point presentations. Evidently, the ability to design an outstanding power point presentation lies in the students’ understanding and experience of basic IT skills.
Further, most colleges require that students at every level develop research skills and be able to write dissertations, research proposals, reaction papers and articles reviews. These however require that the students carry out extensive research online so as to find the credible academic papers, e-books, peer reviews, white papers and other relevant online publications. Lack of computer skills will render a student’s work irrelevant especially if online materials are not found or used as required. For example at the Arkansas university, students who participate in an online studies are required to have ‘some familiarity and comfort with using a computer’ so as to make the learning process more flexible and enjoyable . At the same time, the computer skills would be crucial in searching for the required materials since mastery of computer skills would speed up the process of online research and writing academic papers.
Additionally, through globalization and information and Communication Technology development, nearly all aspects of human life, social, economic political and religious, have been and are being influenced by technology. Since the major role of the colleges is to prepare students who are to work towards alleviation of human problems and offers service to humanity in all spheres of life, it is of paramount importance that the students understand the basic tenets of computer technology irrespective of their course and areas of specialization. By possessing the computer skills, the students upon graduation from the college, will not only effectively fit into the technologically oriented work place characterized by applications of management information systems, group support soft wares and electronic data interchange but also be able to meet the current and future organizational IT adoption and employer’s expectations.
This clearly demonstrate the fact that students who may be highly qualified with impressive professional certifications but have little or no basic computer skills risk being locked out of the dynamic labor market. In fact, for most employers, computers are as essential as ‘pen and paper’ hence a requirement that employees have a basic computer skills.
Finally, it is important that every colleges assesses the basic computer skills of their students so as to be able to put into place intervention measures aimed at bridging the computer skill gap and assist the students in knowledge acquisition.
It is in line with these arguments that Model I.T.U initiated the Student-Student ICT Training in collaboration with KU e-learning center to ensure that every student is recruited into the information society.
May 17th, 2009 - 15:08:02 |
ASUDI
The 2009 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day themed ‘Protecting children in cyberspace’ is not only a valuable thought by the ITU Council but also a major step in protecting the very young minds from erosion by malicious internet users and child exploiters and abusers.
Though internet, with ‘over 1.5 billion users’ today (ITU, 2009), is a very vital resource in every day live of the human beings, it has be come a necessary evil that is both used and misused by the very specie that invented it-the MAN.
ITU (2009) further reveal that ‘over 60 per cent of children and teenagers talk in chat rooms on a daily basis. Three in four children online are willing to share personal information about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services. And one in five children will be targeted by a predator or paedophile each year’.
The ‘predator’ issue presents a major challenge today, a situation prompted formation of Child Online Protection (COP) Initiative in line with the Tunis World Summit on Information Society.
According to ITU (http://www.itu.int/wtisd/2009/theme.html), the 2009 theme “aims at ensuring that children cane safely access the internet and its voluble resources without fear of falling prey to unscrupulous predators in the cyberspace”, the predators of course are neither hyenas nor crocodiles but men and women-the society.
The central issue therefore is how safe are children online, given that ITU , Governments, UNICEF and even lobbyists like MODEL-ITU Youth Organization recognize the fact that it is their inalienable right to use the cyberspace? Factually, the vital space is a center for learning, enterteiment, interaction and opportunities that EVERY CHILD should access always.
Today, we at the MODEL-ITU Youth Organization (http://projects.tigweb.org/model-itu), a follow up project of the 2008 ITU Youth Forum, join the entire world in advocating for the protection of children from these monsters; ‘PREDATORS’.
In fact, our PILLAR THREE: Media, Internet Safety and Security among Young People clearly demonstrate how seriously we take the 2009 theme. According to MODEL-ITU’s official statement, ‘The pillar is aimed at spreading awareness about internet safety and security issues in schools, social places and gatherings, and workshops to promote responsible and safe use, and safeguarding of internet with special attention to the knock-on effects of the 2009 arrival of fiber optic cables in Kenya’.
Sadly, in Kenya as other places in the world scrawny or non existents child protection laws coupled with poor/ negligent parenting have ensure that the children go to the internet ‘unattended to/ unguided’.
Further, our observations show that many primary school age children browse at cyber cafes where they cases pornographic and other ‘predator like sites’ without any restrictions or reprimand from the ‘money hungry café owners-predators’, with Githurai estate being most notorious in Nairobi.
Model-ITU therefore proposes;
A comprehensive public campaign and education on internet safety
Education of parents on cyber safety and guidance of children
Installation of filters and blocking of unwanted sites for families with internet access
Enactment of child protection laws and punishment of café owners who violate the law
Collaboration between ISP, Parents associations, religious organizations, private and public sectors
In our view, ‘Protecting children in cyberspace’ is not ITU’s only concern but it is a multifaceted issue that the society must face head on. This is why May 17 is referred to as, World Telecommunication and Information SOCIETY DAY.
May 14th, 2009 - 01:52:27 |
ASUDI
Hello Every one
There is a viable opportunity for those who are wiling to join African UNION Youth Corps.
These are volunteers who would give some time, now or in future for service to humanity across Africa.
Currently, the data base of the volunteers is being developed in Ethiopia. The application process for the 2nd round ends on 15th until 2010 (3rd round) so you can squeeze time and fill the form
It takes very few minutes, about 10. Though CV is not mandatory, I suggest that you upload it and emphasize involvement with MODEL ITU for 1 year and this gives you a better chance for experience in volunteer involvement.
African UNION Youth Corps is a initiative of African youths that has been designed mainly through online debates before adoption by the Youth's department.
Kindly inform others
Below is excerpt of the ad.
Good luck
Kindly note this
So you have to join AUYVC also on face book as well
Emmanuel sent you a message.
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Re: http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.foayc.org/join AUYVC SHORTLISTING WILL BEGIN AT 4.00PM GMT ON FRIDAY 15 MAY 2009
**********
Dear African Youth
2nd CALL TO SUBMIT BIO-DATA AND PERSONAL HISTORY FOR THE
DATABASE OF YOUTH EXPERTS IN AFRICA
SHORTLISTING WILL BEGIN AT 4.00PM GMT ON FRIDAY 15 MAY 2009
www.foayc.org/join
The Africa Union is updating the Database and Compendium of Youth Experts in Africa. Initial efforts began in January 2009 towards the development of the African Union Development Youth Corps (AUDYC).
This 2nd announcement is based on the recommendations of the participants at the Youth Strategy Review Workshop held in Addis Ababa March 2009. They reviewed the utilization of the data collected and responding to the issues of language and accessibility; Country quota’s and linkages of the database to other existing ones by the UNECA and IOM, amongst others.
In sequel, this is a 2nd call on any one between the ages of 18-35, of African descent, living in or outside of Africa, wiling to be a member of the Volunteer Corp and able to provide skilled based, motivational driven, talent channeled- (not exhaustive) services to development and public sector organizations, projects and communities within the Africa region physically or through online interface.
In this respect, we will be very grateful if you would kindly complete the personal history form online and submit or download the MS word version, fill and return same to us at your earliest convenience.
Please endeavor to provide all the information requested as this will assist in having detailed information about you and ensure the equity-based appraisal of your profile during shortlist of applicants to be internationally employed in the last quarter of 2009 as African Union Youth Volunteers.
Based on the number of submissions received; a country quota system for the number of shortlisted applicants to be interviewed for orientation an training will be decided by the Candidate Review Committee.
***********************
Once again;
To submit your information online go to www.foayc.org/join
The make sure you join the face book AUYVC portal at http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1151932755174#/group.php?sid=e6ffb5dd6f19bf1a27ab5149e527c5f4&gid=65302746763&ref=search
Feb 10th, 2009 - 18:16:20 |
ASUDI
MODEL ITU HOSTS 2ND ICT TRAINING
TOPIC: THE KENYA’S ICT SECTOR.
TRAINER: Mr. Jonnah OWITTI
Profile :The current chairman ISACA (Kenyan Chapter);In charge of Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM )Certifications. Also Chief Information Systems Auditor of Chevron (East and South African Region).
In line with MODEL-ITU Pillar one (youth empowerment and entrepreneurship) and pillar four (bridge the digital divide) an interactive training themed: THE KENYA’S ICT SECTOR will be carried out on February 12, 2009 at 7.00 pm, AVU Board Room.
This will be the second training after the ICT FOR ENTREPREUSHIP training held in November 2008.
The training is to explore the various ICT enable opportunities in Kenya and the relevant skills that are necessary to reap the maximally reap these benefits. The training will be based on such areas as: Professional orientation of the ICT Sector
Industrial expectations
Recommended professional certifications
The students , after the free training are expected to apply the knowledge in exploiting the IT enabled services like Business Process Outsourcing and Knowledge Process Outsourcing in entrepreneurial initiatives.
Date: February 12, 2009
Venue: Kenyatta University, African Virtual
University Board Room
Nov 2nd, 2008 - 07:53:21 |
ASUDI
2008 USA ELECTIONS; AMERICA VOTES
4th November 2008 is a big day in the world. It is a day when all eyes will be glued on screens (because there will be nothing else to watch), ears and senses on multimedia. This is the day when Barack Obama- the Democrat will square it out with the Vietnam War veteran John McCain. It is a day to confirm and ‘literally’ put into practice the 1965 Voting Rights Act that guaranteed equal voting right to blacks as whites, of course for an Obama win. with the wild endorsements, Obama candidature has generated heat, all eyes form today are glued on screens (because there will be nothing else to watch), ears and senses on multimedia.
However, Africa needs not to anticipate sympathy and freebies from a feasible Obama government
. Similarly, the mature American campaigns especially the presidential debates should be adopted to ensure proper audit of potential leaders in Africa. This system can help us even in University Union Elections where “I shout big, I cry Comrades Power Loudest HANDS A POPULIST VICTORY.
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