[kictanet] The Premier B.Sc. Computer Science Programme in Kenya

Mon Nov 9 22:52:30 EAT 2009

Dear Tuma (interesting name!),
Thank you for the input; I hear you loud and clear especially on the issue
of industrial attachment.

The input is safely in the right hands (all the academic members of staff).

On the issue of collaborative research, we have tried over and over again
but we feel that the industry does not appreciate local R&D initiatives as
much as they should.  Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Kind regards,
Muthoni

On 11/9/09 5:19 PM, "Tuma Barua" <tumabarua at gmail.com> wrote:

> Muthoni,
> 
> I would like to thank the UoN team for this brilliant initiative. I feel some
> aroma of good leadership. I know for sure, that universities are not mandated
> to inject junks into the markets. It is for this reason that, I am motivated
> to provide my input below.
> 
> * Consider embedding an industrial attachment(s) within the program to allow
> students interact with the industries before graduating. in my opinion, this
> might be a good opportunity, if used well, to have the student market
> themselves (and UoN).
> * Consider introducing other specializations/programs like Software
> Engineering, Information Management (Refer to Computer Science Body of
> Knowledge).
> * UoN to take leadership and develop an organization/society responsible for
> developing a common body of knowledge for all IT/IS/CS programs.Is it possible
> to use this one, instead of a branded one?
> * Research Project: Have the project include at least an academic and an
> external supervisor (from the industry).
> * Liaise with some a number of companies that can provide opportunities to
> deal with a certain specific problem in the industry. UoN might partner with
> these companies in commercializing the idea, if involved from the beginning.
> * I think the social and professional issues are not covered well by the
> current bouquet of courses. 
> 
> It is good to see a university not only responsible for quantity of the
> graduates but also in their quality. How else does it become competitive? 
> 
> Former student.
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 2:08 PM, Muthoni Masinde <muthoni at uonbi.ac.ke> wrote:
>> Washington,
>> Like Tim Waema has mentioned, we do not have a new curriculum but are
>> currently developing one.  What I sent out in my previous email is the
>> current one that we would like to modify and incorporate your (the
>> stakeholders) input.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Muthoni
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 11/9/09 12:31 PM, "Okoth Washington" <wokoth at kebs.org> wrote:
>> 
>>> Good afternoon Madam,
>>>  
>>> Kindly circulate the current proposal to enable us review and positively
>>> contribute to it in line with the two issues you raised.
>>>  
>>> I would also like to share Agosta¹ s view on stakeholders forum
>>>  
>>> Okoth Washington
>>>  
>>> 
>>> From: kictanet-bounces+wokoth=kebs.org <http://kebs.org>
>>> @lists.kictanet.or.ke <http://lists.kictanet.or.ke>
>>> [mailto:kictanet-bounces+wokoth=kebs.org at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of
>>> Muthoni Masinde
>>> Sent: 08 November 2009 16:45
>>> To: Okoth Washington
>>> Cc: moturi; waema at uonbi.ac.ke; KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
>>> Subject: [kictanet] The Premier B.Sc. Computer Science Programme in Kenya
>>>  
>>> Hello everyone,
>>> 
>>> Below is a brief description of the first (in Kenya) Bachelor of Science in
>>> Computer Science programme; it is currently under review:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> MOTIVATIONS AND OBJECTIVES
>>> 
>>> The School of Computing & Informatics (formerly Institute of Computer
>>> Science) of the University of Nairobi launched the Bachelor of Science
>>> (Computer Science) programme in 1992. The programme was aimed at meeting
>>> perceived development needs in Kenya, which it has done very well. Indeed,
>>> most of the computer science professionals in industry today have been
>>> developed through this programme. However, with experience in offering this
>>> programme and given changes in national development needs as well as changes
>>> in the fast evolving area of IT, it has become necessary to revise this
>>> programme.
>>>  
>>> This programme is part of a set of academic programmes (Masters programmes
>>> in: 1) Computer Science, 2) Applied Computer Science and 3) Information
>>> Systems as well as PhD in Computer Science) at the School that have been
>>> motivated by the following needs at the national level:
>>>  
>>> (a)   The need for Kenya to harness IT for increased productivity and
>>> effectiveness in all sectors of the economy for national prosperity.
>>> (b)  The need for widespread socio-economic awareness (in Kenya) of the
>>> purpose and capabilities of information systems.
>>> (c)   The need for Kenya to participate effectively in and reap maximum
>>> benefits from the global information economy.
>>> (d)  The need to address the increasing demand for IT education in the world
>>> of work.
>>>  
>>> The specific objectives of the Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
>>> programme are:
>>> (a)       To present the theoretical foundations in computer science and to
>>> integrate these theories in a way that gives the learner deep knowledge of
>>> computer science
>>> (b)       To enable learners to use the knowledge gained to analyze, design
>>> and implement solutions to a wide range of real-world problems.
>>> (c)       To develop learners who are practical and problem solving-oriented
>>> and capable of life-long learning.
>>> (d)       To contribute to the production of computer science and
>>> information systems professionals required at the various levels of our
>>> nation¹s industrial development and thereby be a partner in the industrial
>>> development of Kenya.
>>>  
>>> PROGRAMME REVIEW GUIDELINES
>>> A number of us in the KICTANET list have a stake in this programme; we are
>>> either current/potential employers/parents/guardians of these graduates or
>>> we could be current/past students of this programme or even policy makers in
>>> relevant sectors.  We will appreciate if you could share with us your
>>> general views on the following two issues:
>>>  
>>> 1. The kind of Computer Science graduate the market needs; in terms of
>>> knowledge and skills
>>> 2. The kind of courses you would recommend to be critical for this graduate
>>> 
>>> Sent by Muthoni Masinde (Lecturer, School of Computing and Informatics) in
>>> consultation with:
>>> Christopher  Moturi (Deputy Director, School of Computing and Informatics)
>>> Tim Waema (Professor, School of Computing and Informatics)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Thank you
>>> 
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>>> from time to time through an effective implementation of the Quality
>>> Management System based on ISO 9001:2008 standard.
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>>> This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by
>>> MailScanner <http://www.mailscanner.info/> , and is believed t o be clean.
>>> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>> UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI IS ISO CERTIFIED
>>> 
>>> The University of Nairobi is committed to providing quality services to all
>>> its clients. The University will monitor and review its quality performance
>>> from time to time through an effective implementation of the Quality
>>> Management System based on ISO 9001:2008 standard.
>>> 
>>> University of Nairobi Website: http://www.uonbi.ac.ke/
>>> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>> 

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This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner,
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI IS ISO CERTIFIED

The University of Nairobi is committed to providing quality services to all
its clients. The University will monitor and review its quality performance
from time to time through an effective implementation of the Quality
Management System based on ISO 9001:2008 standard.

University of Nairobi Website: http://www.uonbi.ac.ke/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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