cu@school: A school attendance tracking system for rural schools

 About a year ago I was working for the Faculty of Computing & IT [CIT] at Makerere University where I spent my days poring over tomes of data analyzing the University's fastest growing faculty. Almost a marvel in Engineering and administration. It had grown from an institute to a faculty in just two years; which was a university record on its own. I have since moved on from there but from time to time I go back to see what they are on about...


When I passed there last, I discovered a very interesting project they were working for rural primary schools that can't afford the heavy overheads of stationary for attendance rolls and teacher rosters. something called "cu@school"

"CIT launched its OpenXdata software to 50 schools in Mbale and 50 schools in Kiboga district on 28^th Jan 2010. The OpenXdata platform will be used by these schools in recording data on pupil attendance using mobile phones. The Netherlands Development Organization, SNV, in collaboration with Makerere University Faculty of Computing and IT (CIT) availed the schools with Nokia phones to kick start the process, under the ‘CU@school project’...."

Guided by the motto, "any data, any device, anywhere, anytime"  the software development team at the Department of Software and Innovations Development seeks to help head teachers to track down teachers who absentee themselves from schools. The technology is lightly engineered to carry on Nokia phones so it becomes an almost accessible and mass application tool. Mostly because Nokia phones are more accessible and also because of their almost ubiquitous availability.

In this article where they say the government loses up to UGX 12 Billion a year [USD $12 Million], I'm caused to wonder whether the government would lose any less money by actually investing a subsidized amount of money for every head teacher, through an agreement with Nokia or another handset maker and therefore improving the service delivery at the grassroots level and then working from there upwards to streamline the rot that is the education sector in Uganda.

The application which runs on an OpenXdata, an easy-to-use, easy-to-adapt platform is one of the many "legs" that technology enthusiasts keep talking about that Mobile phone technology has and can use to bring an improvement in service delivery and a new edge to the development discussion.

I also ask whether such incubation centre and software development labs are not supposed to be engines and drivers of trial technology and the front runners of the nation's advance towards a more tech-savvy populace. Why aren't they more funded? Why isn't there a conscious effort to have them as the number one reference point for all local software needs and solutions? Skeptics have often come back to this question with the assertion that foreign software developers are more accountable and their reputation is more reliable than local solution providers. I ask, if the local solution providers are not given a chance, how do they build credibility? 

In the final analysis, the fact is that these technologies and start ups need to be supported and given the local confidence necessary to build credible, dependable solutions for the market.

PRESIDENT OF BURUNDI VISIT TO CIT.

When the President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Pierre Nkurunzinza, visited Uganda a few weeks ago to sign a MoU with the Government of Uganda, he took some time off to tour and talk to the people at Makerere University Faculty of Computing & IT.

Apart from touring the facility [currently Africa's largest computing, teaching, research, and consulting facility], he thanked Uganda for continuing to be the regional educational hub. He talked of the possibility of training Burundi graduates at the National Software Incubation Center, instruction in IT, the newly introduced Software Engineering Bachelor's Degree, and the now looming possibility of Uganda as a Business Processing and Outsourcing center for the region.

Some pictures from that occasion:

President Pierre Nkurunzinza with Makerere University Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera; and Faculty of Computing & IT, Head of Corporate Relations, Michael Niyitegeka

In the end, it matters more that he saw it fit to visit than that he signed an MoU with our government. the first counts, the second one, well...story of my life.

WHO IS THIS MAN?

His Motto:

Give me where to stand, and I will move the earth. Archimedes (287-212 B.C.)

His Profile:

He is a Professor of Computer Science and holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, and is currently serving as Dean, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, (CIT) Makerere University. He is a member of Makerere University Senate and Council. Continuously demonstrating competence as a leader driven by the need to serve, respect and strengthen those he serves. He believes in building and strengthening institutions.

Under his leadership, the Institute of Computer Science at Makerere University transformed from a small unit with one academic programme, 28 students and an annual budget of USD $15,000 to a Faculty of Computing and Information Technology with over 22 academic programmes, over 5,000 students undertaking degree programmes and an annual budget of over USD $7 million by September 2005 (within a period of four years only). Today the Faculty of Computing and IT budget is over USD $10 million.

At the national and regional level, he coordinates (multi- million dollar) projects and research programs aimed at building specialized computing and ICT Human Resource Capacity in Africa; its universities and other tertiary institutions plus the private and public sectors

He is a consultant in ICT research, training, advisory services and policy and a recognised expert on e-governance.

He is the Chairman and Managing Director of ICT Consults Ltd, a prestigious ICT consultancy firm in Africa.

He is currently the Executive President of Connect Uganda Foundation, a non profit making organization incorporated in Uganda in 2003 with the overall objective of stimulating new firms and creating jobs in the knowledge-intensive sector, by linking entrepreneurs and innovators with research and development, service providers, venture capitalists and partners.

He is the Executive President of Uganda National Academy of Computing and Internet Technologies, an association that brings together all computing/ ICT faculties/ institutes in all public and private universities to address common objectives and challenges.

A member of the Presidential Investors Roundtable- B.P.O. working group and was also a member of the ICT working committee of the 1^st Presidential Investors Roundtable.

His Education:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of Bergen, Norway 2000
  
• Post Graduate Certificate in Public Relations, University of Minnesota, Minnesota 1999
  
• Post Graduate Certificate in Administration, University of Bergen, Norway 1999
  
• Post Graduate Certificate in Business Management, Sofia University, Bulgaria 1998
  
• Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematical Modelling, University of Trondheim, Norway 1998
  
• Post Graduate Diploma in Economic Modelling, University of Trondheim, Norway 1997
  
• M.Sc. in Computer Science, University of Bergen, Norway 1996
  
• M.Sc. (Mathematics)-Coursework, Makerere University, Uganda 1995
  
• B.Sc. (Mathematics), Makerere University, Uganda 1994
  

  
  

His Expertise:

A distinguished academic, researcher, leader and manager, he lectures courses in Computer Science, Networks, Information Systems and Software Engineering at all levels including Doctoral levels.

He has supervised over 50 masters' students and over 80 postgraduate diploma students to completion and is currently supervising several graduate students both at Masters and PhD level.

As Dean, CIT he has accumulated experience in staff training and retention in an African University setting. He manages today over 200 staff and a student population of over 5000 on degree programmes in Computing and ICT disciplines.

With over sixteen years of teaching experience under his belt, a peerless educator and in many ways the man of his time.

His Awards:

Between Himself, His Company; ICT Consults Ltd., and CIT his most prestigious awards are:

1. In January 2009, Prof. Baryamureeba was considered for inclusion in the ''2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21^st Century'' by the International Biographical Centre, which is scheduled for publication in early 2010.
   
2. The '2008 HP Technology for Teaching Higher Education Grant'' was awarded to CIT the 'in appreciation for its commitment for student success and for seeking innovative ways to transform teaching and learning through the effective use of technology.
   
3. Appointed an honorary member of the International Association of IT Governance Standards (ITGOVS), in November 2008. Honorary Membership to ITGOVS is by invitation only and is extended to the top professionals in this area, both from the corporate world as well as the academic world.
   
4. 2^nd Runner-up, Presidential Science Awards, Science and Technology Excellence Award in September 2008, in recognition of his innovative approach to institutional and human capacity development in computer science by the President of the Republic of Uganda.
   
5. ICT Consults Ltd received 10^th Platinum Technology Award for Quality and Best Trade Name, July 2008.
   
6. 'Top ICT Educator/ Academic' Award in Africa for 2007 under the theme "Making the African Century a Reality", at the 9th Annual African ICT Achievers Awards.
   
7. IBM made a gift in his honor to the United Nations (UN) Foundation in support of Nothing but Nets, a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria in December 2007.
   
8. "The International Star Award for Quality in the Diamond category" - April 2006 in Paris, France. (http://www.bid-star.com/) The award was in recognition of Excellence in Leadership and Business Management; Quality and Excellence; and Technological Innovations and Expansion.
9. Professional of the Year 2005 – British Council Award. An award mainly for achievers, mentors and inspirational managers who have contributed immensely to the management of their organizations as well as International communities.
10. The 2005 Presidential Science Award Cycle: He was also recognized for his efforts in spearheading ICT training, research and consultancy services in sub-Saharan Africa.
11. International Arch of Europe Award for Quality and Technology in the Diamond Category- February 2005, Frankfurt, Germany.
12. The ICT Quality Summit International Award- New York, USA on 21^st June 2004.
13. The 2003-Century International Quality Era Award- May 2003, Geneva, Switzerland.

1. 1. The Key Milestones of his career:

• In 1996 he finished a two year M.Sc. in Computer Science in a record time of 8 months;
  
• In 2000 he graduated with a PhD and had the best PhD dissertation that year at the University of Bergen;
  
• In 2000 discovered the Barya function;
  
• In 2000 at the age of 30 he was the youngest PhD holder at Makerere University;
  
• In 2000 he became the 1^st Ugandan to obtain a PhD in Computer Science;
  
• In 2001 at the age of 31 he was appointed Director of the Institute of Computer Science and became the youngest Director in the History of Makerere University;
  
• In 2005 at the age of 36 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Computing and IT and became the youngest Dean in the history of Makerere University;
  
• In 2005, he spearheaded the construction of the largest computing building in Africa with 12,500 sq metres of space worth over USD$ 20 million and was funded from internally generated funds in the Faculty of Computing and IT. Previously he had spearheaded the construction of the Faculty of Computing and IT Building (Block A) worth 2500 sq metres.
  
• In 2006 he was appointed a full Professor at the age of 37 making him the 1^st Professor of Computer Science in Uganda and the youngest Professor in sub-Saharan Africa;
  
• In 2006 he raised from the rank of Associate Professor to Professor in a record time of less than three (3) months;
  
• In 2007 he received the 'Top ICT Educator/ Academic' Award in Africa for 2007;
  
• In November 2008 he was included in the 2009 Edition of Who's Who in the World; a global distribution relied upon by business leaders, journalists, academics, and other professionals for its accuracy and currency of information.
  

The Man:

Professor Venansius Baryamureeba.

Dean, Faculty of Computing and IT, Makerere University.

Website: www.cit.mak.ac.ug

Truly a look at the future.

Cheers!

40 Days: Episode I

Today is my fortieth day in the desert. I have survived 40 days in the desert and I have come out unscathed. Its strange that no matter what you do, after a while you always seem to have a certain resilience and develop certain immunity.

Speaking of developing, its been quite awhile since I posted anything; that is not to say that nothing exciting has been happening in my life. Its just that things have had a way with me such that I could not pen down what I thought without feeling like a worthless tweet.

But I digress, forty days at my very first 8-6 job, which sounds like a 10 hour job but in reality is 12 hours! It was in the fine print of the contract, I guess no one ever reads that huh?!

Anyway, I was very impressed when I learnt that over 300 students had turned up to attend a free session in which they were to translate the Mozilla Firefox browser into Luganda. For all of 2 days, the students worked feverishly, to ascribe commonly known Luganda definitions to the browser’s, vast array of functions.

At the end, they all gleefully clapped when the Dean of Makerere’s Faculty of Computing and IT joked about how the achievement should be pushed to the Buganda government and how this would make the kabaka very happy.

It kept coming to mind how the recently belegeaured king was at a point where he could actually use some help, what with all the king’s men being accosted, detained, released and then re-arrested! All without reason!! Oh Uganda!!

It portends good things if a web browser can be translated into a local language because that means that local writers can be encouraged to write more in their local languages, and this in turn has great potential for increasing literacy and uptake of internet products. The day, then, is not far when we will be able to log on surf, download, and even upload material entirely in a different language complete with the ever elusive ”ng” Luganda sound!

However there still remain infrastructural questions, access concerns and literacy as big impediments the realization of this dream. The even greater threat from within the industry is that the ICT mammoths like Microsoft, IBM, DELL all want more control of the econ-share and have taken great steps to approach “the last frontier”; Africa.

Moreover, the fast changing tech-world means that such achievements are only hot and worth selling when they are still fresh, so the challenge to patent, market, brand and sell is and almost sounds gargantuan!! But they will do it. How do I know? Because when they set out to build Africa's largest computing facility, the world laughed but today its is a marvel all across Africa. With 700 computers in a lab; and the lab replicated on six levels; with lecture rooms with system sound surround and equipped with the tech aids to make learning a digital experience, there is nothing that will stop them from making this project fly.

And that is one of the most amazing things I have had the opportunity to witness in my first 40 days as a working professional.

….and now back to normal programming.