Fw: [Kictanet] Career Workshop for High School Girls

[alice at apc.org]

Hi Dorcas

Were you aware of the Strathmore do?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Longwe" <cto at nbi.ispkenya.com>
To: "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet" <kictanet at kictanet.or.ke>; "Richard 
Mwangi" <RMWANGI at strathmore.edu>; "Angelica Kiboro" <AKIBORO at strathmore.edu>
Cc: "Michuki Mwangi" <michuki at kenic.or.ke>; <gathogo at cuea.edu>; 
<afnog at afnog.org>
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 8:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Kictanet] Career Workshop for High School Girls


> Wow! This is a direct clash with Strathmore University's Annual ICT 
> Conference. Or is there compe? Campuses should have better coordination
>
> Brian
>
>
> On 2 Sep 2005, at 16:44, Dorcas Muthoni wrote:
>
>> On September 10, 2005 starting 9.30 a.m, members of LinuxChix  Africa 
>> (www.africalinuxchix.org) who live in Kenya will to hold a  Career 
>> Workshop for High School girls to encourage them to pursue  careers in 
>> Computing.
>>
>> We believe that computing as a whole and Free and Open Source 
>> Software(FOSS) in particular, can play a significant role in  empowering 
>> women. The copyleft nature of FOSS helps programmers to  learn from 
>> programs or modify them so that they build on the  innovations of others 
>> rather than re-invent the wheel: Great  achievements can only be made by 
>> standing on the shoulders of giants.
>>
>> However, IT innovations and the opportunities are ineffectual if  people 
>> are un-aware of them. The lack of awareness goes a long way  in 
>> explaining the notable dearth of women in the IT industry in  Kenya. A 
>> situation, that exists inspite of the fact that they  achieve as well as 
>> the boys in pre-university examinations. Due to  lack of access to 
>> information about the opportunities in the ICT  field, girls who do well 
>> in their O-Levels often opt for other  disciplines. The purpose of this 
>> workshop is to provide them with  information on computing and also 
>> answer their questions regarding  computing as a career.
>>
>> The team is composed of former and current Computer Science  students and 
>> other players in the computing industry. Keynote  speakers will comprise 
>> luminaries from various IT displines. We  shall have women system 
>> administrators, system analysts,  developers, academics, entreprenuers, 
>> CTOs and other computer  scientists. The focus on women keynote speakers 
>> is a deliberate  move that aimed at demonstrating success in the IT 
>> industry is not  impeded by one's gender. It is hoped that the speakers 
>> will inspire  and serve as role models to the girls.
>>
>> We expect up to 450 students to attend. The event will be held at  the 
>> Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Jubilee Hall Auditorium  in 
>> collaboration with their Computer Science Department.
>>
>> Although this event is in commemoration of the Software Freedom  Day, the 
>> team intends to build on the gains of the day by setting  up Linuxchix 
>> Africa affliated clubs in the schools in order spread  the spirit of 
>> opensisterhood in computing.
>>
>> In the afternoon starting *2.00 p.m*, we shall have discussion  tables 
>> where industry players can freely interact with the students  in order to 
>> share their experiences and inspirations. All are welcome.
>>
>> We shall distribute CDs and leaflets to the girls which they will  be 
>> able to carry and share with others.
>>
>> This event will happen with support from Catholic University of  Eastern 
>> Africa, KENIC, KICTANET and CATIA. We applaud them for  their kindness.
>>
>>
>> Thanks and regards,
>> Dorcas Muthoni
>> Team Leader
>> Cofounder LinuxChix Africa
>>
>> <dmuthoni.vcf>
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>>
>
>
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