[kictanet] {Disarmed} Re: Who is ICT Board? - Capacity Building

[Kamotho Njenga]

Vitalis,
Your view on the need to form an umbrella body "from a bird's eye view
perspective " to guide the formulation and coordination of strategies in ICT
sector is quite valid and realizable. There is absolutely no excuse for not
having an authoritative reference point for such an enormous
industry/pofession. But as you observe the process of getting every eligible
person to see the need to board the common vehicle that you envision marks
the point where the rubber meets the road. Its bound to be complex but as
you say worth trying. For any solid progress to be registered the following
realities attributable to the existing state of affairs warrant
consideration.

1. ICT is a multifaceted discipline. It has seperate elements to do with
Software design, Database issues, AI, Web Design, E-Learning, Mobiles,
Hardware....Consequently there are those who argue that the specifics of ICT
can not be accomodated in the wider ICT umbrella. The thrust of this opinion
is not fully conceivable.

2. There is a peculiar propensity amongst the ICT folk to create multiple
versions (splinter lobby groups) at the slightest excuse.eg we currently
have some like ICT Association, Computer Association, Linux Association, BPO
Association, ICT Consumers Society, IT Standards Association. In fact if the
trend continues you will expect some associations to come in the following
further versions: Mobile phone society of Kenya, Laptop Association of
Kenya, Flashdisk consumers Association of Kenya, M-Pesa customers
federation, Windows XP alliance. Word 2007 Self Help group, Blackberry
movement of Kenya... name them. It's tantamount to having more preachers
than the target congregation.

3. A large section of ICT people are indifferent. They love to mind their
own business not the profession nor the industry. They dont see the quagmire

Advancement is possible if all stakeholders decide to abandon mediocrity.
Kamotho Njenga

On Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 7:33 AM, <bitange at jambo.co.ke> wrote:

> Vitalis,
>
>
> Brother Siganga and Kamotho are best placed to comment on your post.
>
>
> Ndemo.
>
>
>
> > For effective and long term strategic development, the system needs to
> be
> > looked at as a whole, from "helicopter view, or bird's eye view
> > perspective.  The right hand needs to know what the left is doing.Â
> > Duplication of roles and many centres of powers can only deter
> > development. Starting from the global perspective, it was a big debate to
> > arrive at the jus the name "Information, Commuinications and
> > Techonologies." It took the world nations a number of forums and
> > numerous dicussions and dialogue sessions, before a concensus could be
> > reached to coin the name, ICT.  The main reason was the the complexity
> > due rapidly changing technologcal innovations, the changing needs of the
> > people, the needs for governments to develop policicies, etc., Some
> > polcies were were based on comand-and-control sytems approach, in
> > the indutries or sub-sectors, in what is now commonly known as the ICT
> > sector.  At the beginning the indutry boundaries were distinct,
> >  mainly revolving around telecommunications and broadcasting. The life
> > was easy because the enviroment was stable and the future was easily
> > predicable. With the techlological innovations in computing and
> > communications, and the converegence of variuous technologies, industry
> > boundaries have become more maleable. This this is a challenge as well
> > as an oppotunity that we are facing and need to be addressed, at all
> > times. There is need for an umbrella body "from a bird's eye view
> > perspective " to guide in formulation and coordination of strategies in
> > ICT sector to achieve the long-term national objectives. Otherwise we
> > will end-up with fragmented development plans, with very little impact on
> > the sytem as whole at the national level. Â Â
> >
> > Controbutions have been made including mentioning about professional
> > bodies/assocaiations in othe fields, e.g. ICPAK, KMA, etc. Also there are
> > variuos governmental authorities in this country. Apart from the ICT
> > Board, there are the Roads Boad, Coffee Board, etc. which may or may not
> > be professionally based. However, it is important to note that ICT is
> wide
> %
>
>
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