IBM delivers resources to top Kenyan universities - kenyadetails

Three of Kenya’s top universities are to benefit from a partnership with global technology company IBM to provide ICT for learning modules.

In an effort to meet growing demand for highly skilled IT professionals, three of Kenya’s leading universities are teaming with technology giant IBM to create an advanced educational and training environment.

These partnerships will help students develop critical Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) skills in areas such as analytics, cyber security, big data, social business and cloud.

As part of the collaboration, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Riara University and Strathmore University will have access to the latest enterprise software and systems.

Faculty will have no-charge access to an extensive library of IT curricula for computer science, business and other degree programs and be able to participate in ongoing training opportunities.

Students will also have access to IBM experts and real-world case studies from a range of industries.

Tony Mwai, IBM general manager for East Africa, said: “Working with universities is a way to speed up the skills development required for the next generation of experts that companies such as IBM and other international and local enterprises need to enhance and grow the IT sector in Kenya. Curriculum development and collaborative research reach a much wider student population.â€ÂÂ

Dr Bitange Ndemo, permanent secretary of the Kenyan ministry for ICT, said: “In the next five years, we expect IT enabled services to contribute 25 percent of the Kenyan GDP.

“We therefore need to develop massive human resource capacity in ICTs and nurture talented and skilled people to ensure that all Kenyan graduates are ready for the highly technical workplace.â€ÂÂ

The IT industry is expected to grow by 11 percent annually in Kenya, creating a need for highly-skilled professionals capable of driving IT innovation and entrepreneurship.

By bringing the latest enterprise technology and real-world scenarios into the classroom, students will gain market-ready skills and be better prepared to meet the needs of Kenya’s growing IT market.

Professor Kiarie Mwaura, vice chancellor, Riara University, said: “We at Riara University are committed to nurturing innovators while inculcating a spirit of excellence, research and human resource development; such partnerships with leading innovators are critical to achieving our vision.â€ÂÂ

With the rapidly evolving technology landscape and increased financial pressures, the ability of universities to quickly respond to shifting market needs is challenging. Public sector-academic partnerships help universities produce graduates who have the right skills at the right time to meet market demands.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Riara University and Strathmore University will have access to technology used in businesses around the world and the resources to put new course modules into place quickly.

Dr George Njenga, deputy vice-chancellor and dean for research at Strathmore University, said: “This partnership with IBM will help build the next generation of IT business leaders and entrepreneurs by fostering innovation, local application of the latest technological advances and knowledge of industrial best practices.â€ÂÂ

This collaboration with three Kenyan universities includes the IBM Global Academic Initiative. Recently, IBM expanded this program to provide faculty with new resources in the areas of cyber security, big data, commerce and mobile computing. T

Here are more than 30,000 global university faculties who use the no-charge resources in the IBM Academic Initiative to help close the IT skills gap. The programme endeavours to support universities as they strengthen their educational programs so graduates can compete at the top of any industry.

Source : abdas.org