Thoughts

Science and Democracy World Forum (SDWF) “Science and Knowledge” Dakar, Senegal

2011-02-08T18:26:00.000+01:00

Science and Democracy World Forum (SDWF)

“Science and Knowledge”

Dakar, Senegal

Friday, 04 February 2011

Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola (AhA)

ajijola@consultancyss.com

Question:

1. Q: Who was Mungo Park?

2. A: Mungo Park allegedly “discovered” the River Niger. However, Africans took him there, and they met other Africans using the waters of the Niger for their daily needs.

3. The point here is that we often too quickly discount existing and indigenous knowledge.

Issues:

1. Knowledge Mobilisation: While extremely important, human experience demonstrates that it is not technology, infrastructure or finance per-se, but attitude predicated on knowledge that positively develops mankind, societies and economies.

2. We need to create virtuous cycles fostered by the synergies derivable from the nexus of Government, Industry/ private sector, Academia, Civil Society and the Mass Media to spur Innovation by empowering our citizens with knowledge, so that they will translate knowledge into productive goods and services.

History:

1. Islamic scientific thought is the stem from which the modern western sciences branched out. Islamic science arguably introduced modern empirical, experimental and qualitative approaches to the scientific culture of enquiry which were later translated into modern European languages. Islamic science itself is rooted in the “science” of several earlier great civilisations, as well as Islamic religious beliefs and philosophies.

2. The Baghdad based Caliphate of the Abbasids, 8 to 13^th century, were known as the golden age of Islamic Science. Significant advances were made in mathematics, astronomy, optics, chemistry, medicine, philosophy, education and many other areas of science, and arguably more scientific discoveries were made in the Abbasid Empire than in any previous period of history, prior to that period.

3. How was this done? The Caliphate established the Bait-ul-Ilm, the House of Wisdom, where scholars, irrespective of religion and origin gathered the global knowledge of the time and translated it to Arabic. The material, including culture that was synthesised came from the ancient Roman, Chinese, Indian, Persian, Egyptian, North African, Greek and Byzantine civilizations. These materials were subsequently translated into Turkish, Hebrew and Latin that lead to the rise of modern western civilisation. Science was used as a “federating agent” in addressing the practical problems faced by the people at that time. There are lesson here for all of us.

4. Why was this done? Islamic scholars needed to address the needs of their age which were the needs of the people at that time. For example:

a. Algebra was used to solve computations arising from Islamic laws of inheritance. Bearing in mind that, algebra was used by earlier civilisations to address the issues of their own time.

b. Astronomy and Geometry adapted and enhanced for use in determining the Quibla, direction for prayers, prayer times and the dates for special occasions, given that the lunar calendar was, and is still, used.

c. The underlying philosophy was rooted in the first word of the Holy Quran revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), which is Iqra. Iqra means read/ learn. Research and attention to science is encompassed in this philosophy. As Muslims we are instructed in our holy book to research about natural phenomena as a way to better appreciate our creator.

5. Famous scientists like Ibn Nafis – Pulmonary Circulation; Al-Ghazali – Anatomy/ dissection; Takhr al-Din al-Razi – Physics; Ali Kuscu – Earth rotation. Others include Ibn Khaldun, Al-Hazen and Haroon Al-Rashid whose advances in science continue to benefit mankind to this day. It is interesting to note that Islam supports very “modern” concepts such as the “multi-verse” when the Holy Quran refers to the Almighty as “Lord of the Worlds, seen and unseen.” More food for thought.

6. Several scholars believe the decline of Islamic science was partly a result of strict “misinterpretation” by an entrenched Ulama, religious leadership, and successive corrupt administrative leaderships that have contributed to the overall decline of the Muslim Ummah (people) and Islamic civilisation in the face of external challenges.

Matters arising:

1. How can we address the problems of our people and improve their lives? We do this by:

a. Combining solutions and not simply running after the science, or the technology, or aping the industrialised nations. For example, the Tsunami: research from the Tsunami in the first decade of the 21^st century showed that locations along the eastern coast of India where fewer lives were lost used high technology, such as rural Internet kiosks, low technology, such as public loud speaker systems and “no” technology such as credible town criers to warn the inhabitants to move to higher ground. They may have lost their possessions but they did not lose their lives.

b. Partnership, cooperation and collaboration by all stakeholders.

c. An area of research that requires more attention is that of “Poverty of the Soul.” Why are suicide rates among “elites” and middle class in the west so high despite their apparent wealth and success? Conversely, abuses of human rights and various forms of dehumanisation, depravity and dependence seem to be increasing despite apparent advances in science, technology, education and exposure and the apparent multiplication of knowledge as well as more efficient ways to convey it. Knowledge in the form of Information moves 24,000 km around the earth in milliseconds but sometimes it then apparently takes years to move a few millimetres from the cochlea to the cerebellum.

2. Like the Abbasid Caliphate, we must all lay more emphasis on access rather than ownership of knowledge/ information.

3. Peter F. Drucker a 20^th Century business management guru stated that “The most valuable asset of a 21^st Century institution, whether business or non-business, will be its knowledge workers and their productivity.” Arguably, this has been true down the centuries as empowerment is rooted in knowledge,

4. Society has a responsibility to ensure that knowledge mobilisation and knowledge flows must confer to the tenants of natural justice in the optimal interest of all stakeholders. In many instances, the concept of freedom encompasses the freedom of the enterprise to carry business “profitably”, at any cost to society and our environment. And while many individuals will agree that, profits are more exciting than wages, we must however balance the freedoms of the enterprise with the freedoms, welfare and sustainable development of people, society and the environment, in the broad sense, that we call home.

5. In Africa, the proper utilization of Science and Technology will be crucial to the survival of our heritage, cultures, value systems, collective memory/ history dialects and languages which will otherwise be subsumed, in both physical and cyber space, by the more dominant languages and cultures of the world. For example, the Fantsuam language in southern Kaduna State of Nigeria is being subsumed by the Jaba language, which in turn is being subsumed by the Hausa language and culture The Hausa language and culture are being subsumed by the English and “text messaging” languages along with the “MTV” and Facebook cultures. As scientists, we must find ways to conserve and not preserve, “in a figurative bottle” our heritage, cultures, value systems, collective memory/ history dialects and languages.

Communication gaps: A scenario – “using a very broad brush”:

1. Researchers are often relatively well educated, with significant global exposure.

2. Members of the civil society and associated activists may have strong roots in the society, and are often driven by lofty, and at times impractical, ideals.

3. Top level policy/ decision makers may have some education and exposure but the final decision makers, particularly at local level, and sometimes at mid to higher levels also, are in many instances not as well educated, exposed, or idealistic, as Researchers, Scientists or civil society activists. Indeed, some decision makers may indeed accurately reflect the lowest common denominator of the electorate that “democratically chose/ selected” them.

4. The result is that often decision makers are unable to sufficiently comprehend the import of the research and/ or science nor the enthusiasm/ concerns of civil society.

5. So what can we do?

a. Simplify our outputs, put them in cartoon format if necessary, and creatively leverage various indigenous media.

b. Translate research into the local languages, the languages in which the people think much like the Abbasids did.

c. Better still; develop the research work in the local languages from scratch.

d. Leverage cultural-troops, and the like, to go beyond “dancing.” Many sophisticated concepts are already conveyed by cultural media, and more can and should be done. We must innovatively leverage cultural/ ignored media, traditional/ current/ existing media and modern/ emerging/ future media.

Structural issues:

1. In Nigeria, and across much of Africa, those who teach often do not undertake sufficient Research and Development (R&D) and vice-versa. We must better link research and teaching by creating:

a. Federal Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and possibly Extension Services, such that ALL Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and Research Institutes are directly and better coordinated with each other for effective capacity building. Therefore:

i. Teachers/ Lecturers will need better funding, more intellectual space, incentives and time to cater for the additional Research and Development workload. Academia will also be empowered, with Innovation mechanisms and partnerships to generate complimentary funding. Multiple funding models can be simultaneously implemented such as government, Industry and individual’s directly funding research; and a “research value added tax regime” so as broaden the scope research beyond the immediate needs of industry.

ii. Enhance partnerships in a fair and just Intellectual Property (IP) frame-work with the private sector, Government Civil Society and Academia to spur the requisite innovation to convert the fruits of R&D into affordable, useful and sustainable products, goods and services for the citizenry and the economy.

iii. Mainstreaming R&D findings to students by Teachers/ Lecturers will inspire our youth and galvanise the economy.

b. Federal Ministry of Basic and Vocational Education. Examples of this trend can be found in UK, Ghana, Malawi, Pakistan, and Thailand.

c. Evolving the current Federal Ministry of Information and Communications to a Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The scope of the Ministry would include:-

i. Merging what would be left of existing Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, after institutes are moved to the Federal Ministry of Higher Education and Research, with the regulatory bodies, agencies and parastatals of the current Federal Ministry of Information and Communications.

ii. Moving the propaganda component of the existing Federal Ministry of Information and Communications to the Presidency.

Parting thoughts:

1. Experience has demonstrated that, it is not the volume of the research report, but the relevance and timeliness of the content provided therein.

2. There is need for a holistic approach to the Science and Technology as enablers of development – projects must have multiple functions.

3. Teachers and by extension “Researchers” and many members of civil society (as they spur thinking) are key to the building of a knowledge based, or any other useful society.

4. Well trained staff using modest equipment/ tools will produce favourable results – Conversely, mediocre staff using excellent equipment produces no results.

5. Our survival depends on our learning how to innovatively leverage knowledge.

6. The interactions between indigenous scientific knowledge and modern scientific knowledge must evolve from teaching to dialogue.

7. Considering that knowledge generation and utilisation should be a service to people, we must therefore evolve ways to:

a. Revaluate the contributions of past generations;

b. Revalue indigenous knowledge and its on-going contributions;

c. Reassess how science is taught.

8. Researchers, Scientists and Civil Society must impress upon our Presidents, and their administrations, that they will only be adjudged successful if they have empowered our people with knowledge to sustainably improve themselves, those around them, the circumstances in which they exist, the future of those yet unborn and their environment.

Thank you for your attention.

AhA

Policy Considerations for the Cloud

2011-01-30T13:42:00.000+01:00

Policy Considerations for the Cloud

A presentation by:
Abdul-Hakeem B. D. Ajijola
ajijola@consultancyss.com, ajijola@gmail.com

@ the
WACCS2010
Transcorp Hilton Abuja Hotel, 1 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.

Wednesday 1 December 2010

The Cloud: A Paradigm for Africa
 Every morning in Africa, a Zebra wakes up it knows that it has to run faster than the fastest Lion or it will be killed.
 Every morning a Lion wakes up it knows that it has to run faster than the slowest Zebra or it will starve to death.
 It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Zebra; when the sun comes up you had better be running!

What is Cloud computing?
 Cloud computing enables users to access their applications, resources and documents anywhere, at anytime and on any e-Platform
 Le cloud computing permet aux utilisateurs d'accéder à leurs applications, ressources et documents n'importe où, n'importe quand et sur n'importe quelle plate-forme e-

• For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today African Proverb
• Pour le demain appartient aux personnes qui se préparent à lui aujourd'hui Proverbe africain

If you use any of these then you are computing in the Cloud
 Email: Hotmail/ Yahoo/ Google
 Instant messaging/ chat
 Windows Live SkyDrive
 Office Web Apps
 Website
 Keep or share photographs, or any documents, online
 Syncronise email, calendar, and contacts across devices
 SMS text and MMS based messaging services

 Email: Hotmail/Yahoo/Google
 Causerie instantanée de transmission de messages
 Windows SkyDrive de phase
 Site Web
 Gardez ou partagez les photographies, ou tous les documents, en ligne
 Email, calendrier, et contacts de Syncronise à travers des dispositifs
 Le texte de SMS et le MMS ont basé des services "messages"

 Many Africans are already leveraging the cloud
 Beaucoup d'Africains accroissent déjà le nuage

 If you understand the beginning well, the end will not trouble you African Proverb
 Si vous comprenez le commencement bien, l'extrémité ne vous préoccupera pas Proverbe Africain

Who is using the Cloud?
 Asl, Jama'a musulmi muna muku Barka da Sallah, da fatan Allah Ya maimaitamana, bayan haka muna tunatardaku cewa Allahn da ya shar'anta mana Sallah da yanka don Shi kadai, shine ya wajabta mana yin jihadi don 'yantar da wannan al'umma daga kafirci da zaluncin wannan gomnatin, dama irin kisan da akeyi wa musulmai a Suldaniyya (Jos) da sauran garuruwa, Allah ya karbi ibadunmu, Kutuna damu cikin addu'oinku. DAGA JAMA'ATU AHLIS-SUNNAH LIDDA'AWATI WAL JIHAD
 Message textuel du novembre 2010 Eid allégué par Boko Haram
 November 2010 Eid text Message allegedly by Boko Haram
November 2010: Boko Haram uses the Cloud
 Assalamu alaikum, Muslims, we salute you on the Eidul Kabir, hoping that Allah will let us see many more of this day. We wish to remind you that the same Allah Who has enjoined upon us the prayers and the slaughter in His name only, has enjoined upon us the jihad to liberate our people from kufr and oppression of this government, and the wanton killing of fellow Muslims in Jos and other towns. May Allah accept our devotions. Please remember us in your supplications
 From Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunnah Lid Da’awati Wal Jihad [Ahlis –Sunnah People involved in Call to Islam and Jihad]
 Alaikum d'Assalamu, musulmans, nous vous saluons sur l'Eidul Kabir, espérant qu'Allah nous laissera voir beaucoup plus de ce jour. Nous aimerions rappeler vous que le même Allah qui a encouragé sur nous les prières et l'abattage dans son nom seulement, a encouragé sur nous Jihad pour libérer nos personnes de kufr et d'oppression de ce gouvernement, et le massacre dévergondé les musulmans semblables à Jos et d'autres villes. Mai Allah accepte nos dévotions. Veuillez se rappeler nous dans vos supplications Du couvercle Da'awati Wal Jihad [personnes d'Ahlis de Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunnah - de Sunnah impliquées dans l'appel à l'Islam et à Jihad

The Fictitious Jomo Gbomo Sends Threats through the Cloud
 Bloomberg:
 “In the coming weeks, MEND will launch a major operation that will simultaneously affect oil facilities across the Niger Delta,” MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said in a Nov. 16 e-mailed statement.” http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-28/nigeria-oil-region-fighting-threatens-production-in-challenge-to-jonathan.html
 Xinhua:
 “Jomo Gbomo, the spokesperson for the group, disclosed this in email statement reaching here, saying its fighters detonated explosives they had earlier rigged to the facility, causing considerable damage.” http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-11/16/c_13609074.htm
 The fictitious “militant” Jomo Gbomo regularly sent email threats, from cloud based email services, that terrorised a nation
 Le «militant» factice Jomo Gbomo a régulièrement envoyé des menaces d'email, des services de messagerie électronique basés par nuage, qui ont terrorisé une nation
Law Enforcement cant hide from the Cloud
 Picture of Policemen allegedly fighting over a bribe - with AK47s at hand - From Facebook 18 November 2010 https://s-hphotos-snc4.fbcdn.net/hs1199.snc4/155171_119464258115736_100001564868503_126055_3605346_n.jpg
 Policiers combattant allégué au-dessus d'un paiement illicite - avec AK47s actuels - de Facebook le 18 Novembre 2010 https://s-hphotos-snc4.fbcdn.net/hs1199.snc4/155171_119464258115736_100001564868503_126055_3605346_n.jpg

The Need for All Deliberate Speed
 Urgent: Time is of the essence
 Pressant : Le temps est de l'essence

 The cyber-criminal aim and intent was, is and remains – getting your money, attention &/ or power - that is what they are doing while we are discussing and thinking through policies, procedures and methodologies
 Le but et l'intention cyber-criminels étaient, sont et des restes - obtenant votre argent, attention et/ ou puissance - est qui ce qu'elles font tandis que nous sommes discutants et pensants par des politiques, des procédures et des methadologies

Cyber-Criminal vs Law enforcement
 Cyberspace is not borderless but is perceived as borderless because its borders are seamless to the end user.
 However, every country has its own cyberspace which is defined by its national infrastructure.
 Perpetrators of cyber-crime carry out their activities in an apparently seamless environment
 Law Enforcement Agencies are constrained by issues of jurisdiction.
 Informed, regional and national interest requires that we develop, nurture and patronize a home grown Cyber solutions industry. Security products that are locally developed can be more attractive to local users especially government depending on the influence of exiguous factors
 Le Cyberspace n'est pas sans frontière mais est perçu comme sans frontière parce que ses frontières sont sans couture à l'utilisateur
 Cependant, chaque pays a son propre Cyberspace qui est défini par son infrastructure nationale.
 Les malfaiteurs du cyber-crime effectuent leurs activités dans un environnement apparent sans couture
 Des organismes chargés de faire appliquer la loi sont contraints par des issues de juridiction
 L'intérêt au courant, régional et national exige que nous développons, consolidons et patronnons une industrie du pays de solutions de Cyber. Les produits de sécurité qui sont localement développés peuvent être plus attrayants au gouvernement local d'utilisateurs particulièrement selon l'influence des facteurs exigus

Cloud Computing Policy & Africa: First things first
 Lack of knowledge is darker than night African Proverb
 Le manque de la connaissance est plus foncé que la nuit Proverbe Africain

 Review current and emerging ICT trends and assess their possible impact on our security with a view to anticipating and proactively outlining policy initiatives, technical solutions and security coordination requirements for the mitigation of identified threats, and exploitation of opportunities, posed by such technologies and trends
 Les tendances courantes et naissantes de revue des TCI et évaluent leur impact possible sur notre sécurité en vue de prévoir et de décrire proactivement des initiatives de politique, des solutions et des conditions techniques de coordination de sécurité pour la réduction des menaces identifiées, et exploitation des occasions, posée par de telles technologies et tendances

Cloud Computing: Policy Issues
 Must be aligned with achieving our developmental vision, agenda and goals:
 Vision 20:2020
 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
 Education For All (EFA)
 Major Policy issues:
 Availability – is it there?
 Accessibility – can everyone use it?
 Affordability – can everyone afford it?
 Doit être aligné avec atteindre notre vision, ordre du jour et buts développementaux:
 20:2020 de vision
 Buts de développement de millénium (MDGs)
 Éducation pour tous (ACE)
 Aspects politiques importants:
 Disponibilité - est-il là?
 Est-ce qu'accessibilité - chacun peut l'employer?
 Est-ce qu'accessibilité - chacun peut l'avoir les moyens ?
 Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested African Proverb
 La connaissance est comme un jardin ; si elle n'est pas cultivée, elle ne peut pas être moissonnée Proverbe Africain

Cloud Computing Concerns
• Cloud service provides online data backup:
– Where is that data kept who has access to it and what are the safeguards?
• Stored data might not be secure:
– Your data is not with you but on someone else's usually “shared” system, server or network
• If your stored data is lost:
– If you have no backups then you are @#%&
• Le service de nuage fournit le support de données en ligne:
– Où sont ces données gardées qui a accès à lui et ce qui sont les sauvegardes?
• Les données stockées ne pourraient pas être bloquées:
– Vos données sont non avec vous mais sur quelqu'un d'autre ' ; s habituellement « a partagé » le système, le serveur ou le réseau
• Si vos données stockées sont perdues:
– Si vous n'avez aucun support puis vous êtes @#%&

Techno-colonisation
• An adaptation in the technology realm of aspects of classic colonialism:
• Selling obsolete equipment
• Controlling connectivity
• Forcing colonial information communication technology monopolies/ firms on less developed countries as the information/ data exchange points
• Over pricing or wrong pricing
• Keeping the “third world” in its place
• Une adaptation dans le royaume de technologie des aspects du colonialisme classique:
• Vente de l'équipement désuet
• Connectivité de contrôle
• Forcer les sociétés coloniales de monopoles de technologie des communications de l'information sur les pays moins développés comme points d'échange de données de l'information
• Au-dessus de l'évaluation ou de l'évaluation fausse
• Maintenant « le tiers monde » dans son endroit
Addressing Techno-colonisation
• Keep local traffic local
– Internet Exchange Points
– June 2008, IBM set up South African Data Centre
– Microsoft Europe, the Middle East and Africa Data Centre located in Ireland
– Galaxy/ Chams Data Centres
• Control our information infrastructure
– Regional and continental e-Platforms e.g. ECOWAN
– Indigenous players must provide quality services
– Support indigenous players
– Build our capacities
• Gardez les gens du pays du trafic local
– Points d'échange d'Internet
– Le juin 2008, IBM a installé le centre de calculs sud-africain
– Microsoft l'Europe, le Moyen-Orient et le centre de calculs de l'Afrique situés dans l'Irlande
– Les centres d'épine dorsale de galaxie et de calculs de Chams au Nigéria
• Commandez notre infrastructure de l'information
– E-Plates-formes régionales et continentales par exemple ECOWAN
– Les joueurs indigènes doivent fournir des services de qualité
– Joueurs indigènes de soutien
– Établissez nos capacités

Cloud based Listserv’s: Weapons of Mass Mobilization
• NAIJA IT Professionals Forum Discussion List Naija_IT_Professionals@yahoogroups.com
• MoveOn.org: Leveraging email as a petition to a hundred or so friends calling on Congress to censure Clinton and "move on."
– Initially ignored MoveOn.org used the list of email addresses to arrange for supporters to make personal visits to congressional field offices
– The Obama Campaign leveraged the MoveOn.org phenomena
• NAIJA IL liste de discussion de forum de professionnels Naija_IT_Professionals@yahoogroups.com
• MoveOn.org : Email d'admission des fonds de tiers en tant qu'une pétition à cent environ amis invitant le congrès à censurer Clinton et le " ; déplacez on."
– ; MoveOn.org au commencement ignoré a employé la liste d'email address pour assurer des défenseurs pour faire des visites personnelles aux bureaux de champ congressionnels que
– la campagne d'Obama est accrue les phénomènes de MoveOn.org

Cloud based Text Messaging: New political tool?
• Demonstrations in Iran organized by leveraging SMS, e-mail and Twitter
• Seoul, South Korea: Rapidly circulated Text Messages facilitated spontaneous rally of 400 students gathered to protest the severe pressures they must endure for the nation's highly competitive college-entrance exam
• Lebanon: Anti-Syria protest were organized through e-mail and text messaging drawing together 1 million demonstrators to demand the withdrawal of Syrian troops and the resignation of the government
• Recent Historical Technology Antecedents:
– Television helped bring down the Berlin Wall
– Fax machine helped protesters organize during the Tiananmen Square protests
– Webcast of the Death of Nena in Iran, 2009
• Démonstrations en Iran organisé par leveraging SMS, email et Twitter
• Séoul, Corée du Sud: Les message textuels rapidement distribués ont facilité le rassemblement spontané de 400 étudiants recueillis pour protester les pressions graves qu'ils doivent supporter pour le nation' ; de s examen concurrentiel d'université-entrée fortement –
• Le Liban: La protestation de l'Anti-Syrie ont été organisées par l'email et la messagerie textuelle réunissant 1 million de démonstrateurs pour exiger le retrait des troupes syriennes et la démission du gouvernement
• Antécédents historiques récents de technologie:
• Télévision aidée pour réduire le mur de Berlin
• Le télécopieur a aidé des protestataires à organiser pendant les protestations de Place Tiananmen
• Webcast de la mort de Nena en Iran, 2009

SMS: The poor person's Internet/ Cloud Service
• Text messaging has been fomenting what some experts call a "mobile democracy."
– Generally Unmonitored and cheap
– Underground channel for succinct uncensored speech
– Demonstrators use it to mobilize protests, dodge authorities, and fire off political spam
– Helps to engineer collective action at unprecedented speed
– African sit tight dictators beware…..
• Philippines in 2002: Black-clad protesters, summoned together by a single line passed from phone to phone:
– "Go 2 EDSA [an acronym for a Manila street]. Wear Blck,“
– Eventually helped topple President Estrada
• La messagerie textuelle avait fomenté ce que quelques experts appellent un " democracy" mobile
– Généralement non contrôlé et bon marché
– Canal souterrain pour le discours non censuré succinct
– Les démonstrateurs l'emploient pour mobiliser des protestations, autorités de détour, et le mettent le feu outre du Spam politique
– Aide à machiner l'action collective à la vitesse sans précédent
– L'Africain reposent les dictateurs serrés prennent garde .....
• Philippines en 2002 : les protestataires Noir-plaqués, appelés ensemble par une ligne simple ont passé du téléphone au téléphone:
– "Allez 2 EDSA [un acronyme pour une rue de Manille]. Usage Blck«
– Par la suite aidé à renverser le Président Estrada

Cloud assisted SMS: Advocacy and Mobilization
• South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun may not have been elected without the help of the Internet and SMS
– "You might not trust what is coming out of the TV, but you take it seriously when the message comes from a friend."
• December, 12,000 Chinese workers went on strike against a supplier of Wal-Mart.
– Not part of a union, mobilized through SMS
• Kuwait, women mobilized in record numbers to rally for the right to vote
– Protests were more effective because text messaging allowed Kuwaiti demonstrators to pull young people out of school and into the streets
• Nigeria Miss World pageant in 2002 protests had text messaging elements
• Le Président sud-coréen Roh Moo-hyun a pu ne pas avoir été élu sans aide de l'Internet et du SMS «
– Vous ne pourriez pas faire confiance à ce qui sort de la TV, mais vous la prenez au sérieux quand le message vient d'un friend."
• Décembre, 12.000 ouvriers chinois ont fait la grève à l'encontre un fournisseur de Wal-Mart.
– Pas une partie d'une union, mobilisée par SMS
• Le Kowéit, femmes mobilisées dans des nombres record pour se rassembler pour que la droite vote
– Les protestations étaient plus efficaces parce que la messagerie textuelle a permis aux démonstrateurs koweitiens de tirer les jeunes extrascolaires et dans la reconstitution historique de
• Mlle World du Nigéria de rues dans 2002 protestations a eu des éléments de la messagerie textuelle

Conclusion
• Most Cloud users have no control over the infrastructure that supports the technology they are using
• Knowledge Mobilisation: Attitude Predicated on Knowledge develops mankind, societies and economies
• Knowledge and information are the bedrock of development
• New Trends in ICTs requires that Africans societies employ knowledge mobilization tools, be they in the clouds or anywhere else
• Africans must be confident and not afraid of change – embrace change, even if “cloudy”
• Combining solutions and not simply running after technology – combinations of hi-tech, low-tech and no-tech
• When you see clouds gathering, prepare to catch rainwater African Proverb

• La plupart des utilisateurs de nuage n'ont aucun contrôle de l'infrastructure qui soutient la technologie qu'ils emploient
• Mobilisation de la connaissance: L'attitude affirmée sur la connaissance développe l'humanité, les sociétés et les économies
• La connaissance et l'information sont la roche en place du développement
• Les nouvelles tendances dans ICTs exige que les sociétés d'Africains utilisent des outils de mobilisation de la connaissance, soient elles dans les nuages ou n'importe où ailleurs
• les Africains doivent avoir confiants et peur du changement - embrassez le changement, même si «nuageux»
• Combinant des solutions et pas simplement courant après la technologie - combinaisons de de pointe, de de basse technologie et aucun-technologie
• Quand vous voyez des nuages recueillir, préparez pour attraper l'eau de pluie Proverbe Africain

Thank you, for your attention
Merci, de votre attention

ajijola@consultancyss.com
Or
ajijola@gmail.com

NREN Policy Issues - Discussion Points

2011-01-30T13:36:00.000+01:00

NREN Policy Issues - Discussion Points

by:

ajijola@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

We need to orient NREN policies, strategies and implementation for the benefit of Nigerians. Conference participants are encouraged to undertake and informal needs and consider:

1 Who are the stakeholders?

A Public Sector/ Government

I The Presidency & Legislature

II Public Sector: Ministries, departments and agencies of government at all levels

III Has Government made sufficient effort to evolve, adopt and fund the above agencies and related policies to create a conducive enabling environment for an NREN.

B Private Sector

I Corporate bodies in various sub-sectors

II can the private sector provide funding, impetus and in some cases initiates policies by default. How can we initiate this?

C TRADE/ PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS *

I Academic & related Staff Unions, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)/ various labour unions.

II Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigeria Library Association (NLA), Nigerian Computer Society (NCS).

III Internet Service Providers of Nigeria (ISPAN)/ ISP’s and Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON)/ Telco’s

IV Nigerian IT Professionals in the Americas (NITPA)/ Diaspora

V How do we collaborate with them to facilitates the development and implementation of policies that Protect and promote the interest of the NREN and its stakeholders.

D Education Sector/ Academia

I National Universities Commission (NUC)/ Universities, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)/ Mono and Polytechnics and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE)/ Colleges of Education

II National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), National Mathematical Centre and National Teachers Institute

III Academic Research Institutes in Nigeria

IV They are the prime stakeholders and they also provide the intellectual framework for policy discourse and development.

E Nigerians:

I 130 million with in Nigeria’s boarders

II Millions more in the Diaspora such as the rest of Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

2 NREN Policies and initiatives must be aligned with achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which include:

A Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

B Achieve universal primary education

C Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment

D Reduce child mortality

E Improve maternal health

F Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

G Ensure environmental sustainability

H Develop a global partnership for development

3 NREN Policies and initiatives must also address the three central elements that underpin the Education For All (EFA) objectives and programs, namely:

A Every child, every youth, and every adult has a right to a minimum basic education.

B The participation of local communities, professional organizations, and educational institutions is essential.

C Special attention must be given to girls' education and women's literacy.

4 NREN initiatives and related policies must support academia government in achieving the goals of the NEEDS, which are:

A Wealth Creation,

B Employment Generation,

C Poverty eradication and

D Value Re-Orientation

E NEEDS & NREN initiatives are ultimately about people: welfare, health, education, employment, poverty-eradication, empowerment, security and participation.

SOME NREN POLICY ISSUES – IN RELATION TO ICT’s USED TO SUPPORT NREN

Universal access issues

o Availability – is it there?

o Accessibility – can stakeholders use it?

o Affordability – can stakeholders afford it?

Specific NREN Policy Issues

1 Physical access: Is technology available and physically accessible?

A Nigeria’s tele-density has seen rapid progress within the lifespan of this administration. However, it masks certain issues related to last mile and rural access which government is addressing.

B Government is actively encouraging Nigerians in the Diaspora. It is estimated that there are 3.5 million in the USA alone, with over 5,000 of them registered as IT professionals with the Nigerian IT Professionals in the Americas (NITPA).

C Government is collaborating with development partners like UNESCO, USAID, Japan funds In Trust, OSIWA, IDRC, British Council and DFID.

D Government is exploring ways to stimulate the growth of NREN-based SMEs to tap into the huge potentials of Nigeria and the global markets.

E Government has recognised that Bandwidth is a major concern to all NREN user and calls on Banking, Oil & Gas and Telecommunication industries to assist Higher Education institution to utilise their excess bandwidth.

F Predatory pricing is an issue of grave concern and Government is ensuring that the regulators have the legal back and independence to protect consumer’s rights.

2 Appropriate Technology: What is the appropriate technology according to local conditions, and how people need and want to put technology to use?

A Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to build viable NREN sub-projects such as the proposed Virtual Library access points. Government can not do “NREN” alone.

D Government is also evaluating the merits and otherwise of other technologies useful to NREN’s such as fixed wireless, VSAT, Low cost wireless technology, low power, and low cost computer technologies.

3 Affordability: Is technology access affordable for stakeholders to use?

A In general the cost of telecommunications is still too high and the regulators is facilitating is reduction.

B With the launch of Nigeria-Sat 1 and the planned launch of Nigeria-Sat 2 before the close of this administration Government believes that such Satellite technology, owned by Nigeria, will significantly bring down costs of telecommunications. Is this a valid assumption?

4 Capacity: Do stakeholders understand how to leverage on NREN’s and use the associated technology and harness the potential opportunities?

A Very low level capacity to understand NRENs in government and among politicians.

B Media coverage is private sector-driven, hardware adverts, IT industry

C General NREN awareness at all levels is very low

D Can, should and how would an NREN leverage on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Government to achieve a critical mass of CSOs as drivers

5 Relevant content: Is there locally relevant content, especially in terms of research out put in local languages?

A Language barriers, our researchers need to continue the good work they have started in adopting ICT’s to our local languages.

B Academia and ICT industry must embark on the digitisation of local languages: Yoruba, Ibo, and Hausa for use in NREN. Think about the NITDA computer keyboard that has the Naira symbol and those who have developed Yoruba, Ibo, and Hausa keyboards.

C Loss of indigenous knowledge and history – non digitisation, loss of local content resources

6 Integration: Does the technology further burden people’s lives or does it integrate into daily routines?

A Do we need a national NREN awareness campaign or focus on local initiatives in States or academic institutions?

B For essential message transmissions, high cost

C Widespread ignorance

7 Socio-cultural factors: Are people limited in their use of technology based on gender, race, or other socio-cultural factors?

A Lack of technology adoption in daily lives

B Lack of gender mainstreaming in all areas

8 Trust: Do people have confidence in and understand the implications of the technology they use, for instance in terms of privacy, security, or cyber crime?

A Government has been developing legislation and structures to build confidence and engender trust in Nigeria’s cyberspace

B Security forces such as the police and army are largely unaware of the potential of an NREN and need to integrate them it their operations as articulated in this administrations grand Strategy for National Security. The Internet, Cellular phones and Braille machines all started out as military/ national security technologies

C Poor uptake of e-payment systems which have been introduced in urban centres.

D We should consider the use of e-payment systems in higher education institutions.

9 Legal and regulatory framework: How do laws and regulations affect technology use and what changes are needed to create an environment that fosters its use?

A High levels of software piracy

B Multiple policy documents and “turf wars” between government agencies

10 Local economic environment: Is there a local economy that can and will sustain NREN?

A Sluggish government with little or no understanding of the potential of or leadership in NRENs

B High levels of corruption in government

C Nepotism in terms of awarding of licences / contracts

D Corruption: This administration has embarked on several far reaching initiatives:

I Independent Corrupt practices Commission (ICPC)

II Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit (Due process)

III Public Procurement Reform Programme (PPRP)

IV SERVICOM – Organisational charters and commitment to provide services

V Government is pleased to note that a member of the National assembly has proposed “Integrity pacts” between procurement agencies and contractors, whereby they vow to be transparent in payments and costs

E NREN vendors: process for certification of NREN inputs?

11 Macro-economic environment: Is national economic policy conducive to widespread technology use, for example, in terms of transparency, deregulation, investment, and labour issues?

A GSM licensing process open, transparent, professional, responsible for rapid growth

I In 2001 Nigeria had less than 300,000 working telephone lines and today Nigeria has over 6 million telephone lines.

II The core lessons that AFRICA and the world must learn from the rapid expansion of the GSM market in Nigeria is that:

§ The GSM Policy and licensing process was by and large open, transparent and professionally conducted.

§ If policies and processes in other sectors, such as power, could be addressed in a similar manner we might all be the better for it. Will privatisation of academia especially Research Institutes plausible?

B Servicom, Due Process, education sector reform?

12 Political will: Is there political will in government to do what is needed to enable the integration of technology throughout society?

A The African Charter on Peoples and Human Rights (1981)

B NEPAD, AU, Commonwealth, UNESCO, ECOWAS, leadership and driver. Can NREN’s leverage on these?

C NEEDS (National Economic Empowerment, Development Strategy) initiative

D The FGN, Lagos, Jigawa, Delta states enabling environment

13 The envisaged roles of the various stakeholders:

A Public Sector/ Government: Government has made efforts to evolve, adopt and fund the agencies and related policies to create a conducive enabling environment for NREN. Is this assertion true?

B Private Sector: Provides funding, impetus and in some cases initiates policies by default. Does it or how can it be encouraged to do so.

C Trade/ Professional Associations: Facilitates the development and implementation of policies that Protect and promote the interest of its members. Can the NREN leverage on them?

D Education Sector/ Academia: Prime stakeholders who also provides the intellectual framework for policy discourse and development. What value propositions do they have to offer?

E NIGERIANS: A potent yet untapped potential that needs to be drawn upon. What in it for us?

F Other stake holders: CSOs, Media and Development partners. What is the entry point and what is the quid pro quo?

14 All the aforementioned are up for review, debate and modification.

Cloud Computing: What is in it for Africa?

2011-01-30T13:29:00.000+01:00

Cloud Computing:
What is in it for Africa

A presentation by:

Abdul-Hakeem B. D. Ajijola

ajijola@consultancyss.com, ajijola@gmail.com

@ the

Idlelo 2010 Conference

India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI), Opposite the Council of State Offices, Ridge, Accra-Ghana.

18 May, 2010

Food for Thought

• In the 21^st Century knowledge is arguably the single most important factor of socio-economic power, production and development

• Lack of knowledge is darker than night African Proverb

• The management of intellectual capital is one of the most critical success factors of society in its quest for survival and dominance

• Knowledge is about people

Africans have Always Appreciated Knowledge

n Lack of knowledge is darker than night African Proverb

n Le manque de la connaissance est plus foncé que la nuit Proverbe africain

n La connaissance est comme un jardin ; si elle n'est pas cultivée, elle ne peut pas être moissonnée Proverbe africain

n Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested African Proverb

Leveraging Technology to Harvest the Fruits of Knowledge

n Les données peuvent être considérées comme des matières premières qui Technologies de l'information / informatique / cyber systèmes de traitement en un produit appelé information

n Data can be considered to be the raw material which computer/ Information technology/ cyber systems process into a product called information

n Not to know is bad. Not to wish to know is worse Proverbe africain

n Ne pas savoir est mauvaise. Ne pas souhaiter savoir est plus mauvais African Proverb

Leveraging Technology to Harvest the Fruits of Knowledge

n Cloud computing enables users to access their applications, resources and documents anywhere, at anytime and on any e-Platform

n Le cloud computing permet aux utilisateurs d'accéder à leurs applications, ressources et documents n'importe où, n'importe quand et sur n'importe quelle plate-forme e-

Cloud computing

• Cloud computing enables users to access their applications, resources and documents anywhere, at anytime and on any e-Platform

• Many applications and activities are moving off the stand alone/ standard computer onto server farms accessible through the Internet

• Pay as you go

• Power shift away from internal IT departments to outsourced providers

• Short Messaging Services (SMS) is a form of cloud computing

• For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today African Proverb

Net books, Mobile and Low Power Systems

• Lower computer costs

– Relatively low price for hardware and software

– Low electrical power consumption

– Simple software keeps system fast

– Advances in mobile “smart phones” capabilities are making them ubiquitous and indispensible tools

• Low Power and Mobile devices with internet access and significant computing capabilities may replace personal computers as the information appliance of choice for accessing information resources

Advantages of Cloud Computing

• Reduced software costs

– Pay for only what you need when you need it

– African mobile users already know how to do that

• Instant software updates

– web-based application updates occur automatically without needing to pay for, or download, an upgrade

• Improved document format compatibility

– documents created by web-based applications can be read by any other user accessing that application

• Unlimited storage capacity

– A decent Yr 2010 laptop or desktop computer has 300 gigabytes (GB) hard disk space

– The cloud has hundreds of petabytes (million gigabytes) available and increasing daily

• Universal document access

– Documents always accessible with internet access

• Latest version availability

– Your most recently edited document version is always available

• Easier group collaboration

– multiple users can collaborate easily on documents and projects

– Africans already know how to collaborate

• Device independence

– Documents and applications look and feel the same regardless of e-Platform

– Reduces cost of, and time needed, learning how to use different devices

– As simple devices increase in capability and sophistication the way we interact remains familiar

• Increased data reliability

– Cloud service provides regularly backup data

– Where is that data kept who has access to it and what are the safeguards?

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

• Requires a constant and reliable Internet connection

– Bandwidth

– Latency (VSAT)

– Quality of Service (QoS)

– Challenge of all infrastructure

• Doesn't work well with low-speed connections

– dial-up services are often too slow

– Web-based applications require significant bandwidth

– Likewise large documents

• Robust connectivity infrastructure is on the horizon but not quite ready

• The best Internet links are much slower than your computer

– Telephone links bits per second (bps)

– VSAT Bandwidth kbps/ mbps

– Local Area Networks can reach speeds of 10/ 100/ 1,000 Mbps

– Computers work at Gbps and Megaflops

• Delays can occur:

– Local user interface

– Link

– Cloud server

• Available software features might be limited

– Often not as sophisticated as desktop equivalents – the price of simplicity

• Stored data might not be secure

– Your data is not with you but on someone else's usually “shared” system, server or network

• If your stored data is lost

– If you have no backups then you are @#%&

Users Ideally Suited to Cloud Computing

• Those who work on collaborative documents

– Students

– Knowledge workers

• Those who travel often between a number of distant locations

– Sales people

– Consultants

• Price sensitive and Cost-conscious users

– Most Africans

• Those with increasing data storage and software needs

– Most Africans

Users NOT Suited to Cloud Computing

• Internet-impaired

– Bandwidth

– Quality of Service (QoS)

– Most Africans

• Weak infrastructure

– Most Africans

• Offline workers

– Most Africans

• Security-conscious

• Those too tightly tied to existing proprietary applications

Ubiquitous learning in the Cloud

• Use technology to better understand a users knowledge base from prior exposure and then tailor their learning experience to address gaps as well as usage styles

• Cloud services leverage user profiles to customize the experience

• Redefine literacy

• Empower otherwise disadvantaged groups

• Teachers as Virtual mentors

• Opportunities for peer to peer and self-paced, deeper learning

• Life long learning

Techno-colonisation

• An adaptation in the technology realm of aspects of classic colonialism:

• Selling obsolete equipment

• Controlling connectivity

• Forcing colonial information communication technology monopolies/ firms on less developed countries as the information/ data exchange points

• Over pricing or wrong pricing

• Keeping the “third world” in its place

• Keep local traffic local

• Internet Exchange Points

• June 2008, IBM set up African Data Centre

• Galaxy/ Chams Data Centres

• Control our information infrastructure

• Regional and continental e-Platforms e.g. ECOWAN

• Indigenous players must provide quality services

• Support indigenous players

• Build our capacities

Data Challenges

• ICT can abet and/ or be the object of crime and criminals

• ICT’s facilitate “traditional” crimes and spawn new types of crimes and criminal activity

• The ICT security problem is growing in importance due to several trends

• Volume: The rapidly increasing quantity of computerized data stored and transmitted over communication networks

• Value: The increasing value of the data, both as a marketable commodity and as representative of value, for example, as in an electronic funds transfer or an automated stock exchange transaction

• Privacy Issues: An increasing quantity of personal information is being collected, stored and transmitted

• Evidence in the cloud == Jurisdiction, authentication and retrieval, chain of custody, cyber forensics capacities.

Challenge of Perception: Internet Crime Complaint Centre

• Ensure that your systems are not used to commit crimes and immoral acts – you may be liable

Challenge of Perception

• Do we have the capacities achieve #3, 6 & 7 rating

– Bandwidth, available equipment, support infrastructure (electricity), maintenance and human

– The report is specific to the US only == 93% of complainants came from the US

– West African 419 Scam is now category of crime not always committed by West African’s

– Many people are involved: Who are they?

• Cyber crime is replacing cultism in our higher education institutions

– Boys: 419 letter scams

– Girls: Online prostitution

• Does perception matter?

• Perception is reality!

– Each of us must do something

• Cyber-security starts with you protecting yourself

• Face book/ Twitter generation – putting your life on a billboard

New Media

• Social Networking: The interaction between a group of people who share a common interest
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/social_networking

• Blog: Contraction of the term “weblog” is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

• web log: a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

• micro-blogging: A form of multimedia blogging that allows users to send brief text updates or micro-media such as photos or audio clips and
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-blogging

• Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter

• These media empower people with knowledge – information which is not always true

New Content Streams

• Internet/ Web/ Net/ Streaming/ e-Radio: An audio broadcasting service transmitted via the Internet en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_radio

– Internet radio services offer news, sports, talk, music—every format that is available on traditional radio stations and many new genres

• Podcasting: A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PODcasting

• Audio-books: An audio book is a recording that is primarily spoken word. It is often based on a recording of commercial printed material en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Books

• Interactive e-books: An electronic book with rich contents such as video and audio files as well as streaming media embedded on them

Matters Arising

• Not all online resources are appropriate and users need competencies to filter accordingly

– Creatively tap into online information sources

• Sharing of Best Practices must become the norm

• Piecemeal reform of IT practices is difficult and often ineffective – the cloud offers a new paradigm

• Change management process are required

• Significant and consistent investment – likely to be lower than the tradition mechanisms

• Customization of interactions based on user needs requires new skill sets and work ethic for service providers

• Africans must embrace change

• Foster partnership, cooperation and collaboration

• Focus on Access rather than ownership

Cloud based Listserv’s: Weapons of Mass Mobilization

• NAIJA IT Professionals Forum Discussion List Naija_IT_Professionals@yahoogroups.com

• MoveOn.org: Leveraging email as a petition to a hundred or so friends calling on Congress to censure Clinton and "move on."

– Initially ignored MoveOn.org used the list of email addresses to arrange for supporters to make personal visits to congressional field offices

– The Obama Campaign leveraged the MoveOn.org phenomena

Cloud based Text Messaging: New political tool?

• Demonstrations in Iran organized by leveraging SMS, e-mail and Twitter

• Seoul, South Korea: Rapidly circulated Text Messages facilitated spontaneous rally of 400 students gathered to protest the severe pressures they must endure for the nation's highly competitive college-entrance exam

• Lebanon: Anti-Syria protest were organized through e-mail and text messaging drawing together 1 million demonstrators to demand the withdrawal of Syrian troops and the resignation of the government

• Recent Historical Technology Antecedents:

• Television helped bring down the Berlin Wall

• Fax machine helped protesters organize during the Tiananmen Square protests

• Webcast of the Death of Nena in Iran, 2009

SMS: The poor person's Internet

• Text messaging has been fomenting what some experts call a "mobile democracy."

– Unmonitored and cheap

– Underground channel for succinct uncensored speech

– Demonstrators use it to mobilize protests, dodge authorities, and fire off political spam

– Helps to engineer collective action at unprecedented speed

– African sit tight dictators beware…..

• Philippines in 2002: Black-clad protesters, summoned together by a single line passed from phone to phone:

– "Go 2 EDSA [an acronym for a Manila street]. Wear Blck,“

– Eventually helped topple President Estrada

Cloud assisted SMS: Advocacy and Mobilization

• South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun may not have been elected without the help of the Internet and SMS

– "You might not trust what is coming out of the TV, but you take it seriously when the message comes from a friend."

• December, 12,000 Chinese workers went on strike against a supplier of Wal-Mart.

– Not part of a union, mobilized through SMS

• Kuwait, women mobilized in record numbers to rally for the right to vote

– Protests were more effective because text messaging allowed Kuwaiti demonstrators to pull young people out of school and into the streets

• Nigeria Miss World pageant in 2002 protests had text messaging elements

Cloud computing enables access to resources as a service

• A new paradigm

• Often on a subscription basis

• Users do not own the infrastructure

• Rent it or pay as they use it == Change it when obsolete

• Users of the services being offered often have very little knowledge of the technology being used

• Users also have no control over the infrastructure that supports the technology they are using

• Internet Infrastructure QoS is a major challenge

• New opportunities

• Empowers more Africans through open access

• Cost effective

• The double edged sword of Cloud Computing if properly harnessed has much to offer Africa

• Many Africans are already leveraging the cloud

• If you understand the beginning well, the end will not trouble you African Proverb

Conclusion

• Knowledge Mobilisation: Attitude Predicated on Knowledge develops mankind, societies and economies

– Knowledge and information are the bedrock of development

– New Trends in ICTs requires that Africans societies employ knowledge mobilization tools, be they in the clouds or anywhere else

– Africans must be confident and not afraid of change – embrace change, even if “cloudy”

• Combining solutions and not simply running after technology – combinations of hi-tech, low-tech and no-tech

• When you see clouds gathering, prepare to catch rainwater African Proverb

Thank you, for your attention

Merci, de votre attention

ajijola@consultancyss.com

ajijola@gmail.com

Podcasting Scientific Research Outcomes as well as other Educational materials

2010-08-09T15:19:00.002+01:00

CS2 Concept Paper

Project Title: Podcasting Scientific Research Outcomes as well as other Educational materials

Project Focus: Students in Higher Education Institutions, Researchers and Decision-makers

Project Goal: To improve delivery of scientific research outcomes through efficient and effective podcasting.

Introduction: Africans are by tradition audiophiles endowed with a rich oral history. Podcasting is the audio digitalization of content that can be disseminated electronically and accessed on portable digital audio-video devices such as iPods, cell-phones and computers that leverage MP3, MP4 or similar technology. Podcast files are uploaded on a website and can then be downloaded anywhere in the world. The prospect of podcasting scientific research outcomes as well as other educational materials is an exciting development for a generation of students, readers, scholars and leaders in Africa. In the broader context of higher education youth/students and teachers need access to innovative services to prepare for future workplace. Podcasts can supplement lecture notes, text books etc, and can build an accessible corpus of knowledge to be retained and archived for future use, thus capturing this oral tradition so cherished in Africa. Podcasting will contribute to the development of human capacity and potential – because what is hidden in books and papers will be transformed into audio and/or so as to ensure that it is communicated in a manner understood by a new generation of African students and leaders.

Objectives: The objectives are to:

Enhance access to, and understanding of, scientific research outcomes as well as other educational materials.
Increase literacy among youths in Nigeria and West African countries.
Improve educational delivery to students
Ignite and improve literacy among youth students
Improve understanding and knowledge retention rate among youth students
Provide flexible supplements in educational materials.
Bridge traditional curriculum modules and teaching techniques with modern electronic.
Make teaching easier and more effective.
Target Audience:
Youth – Students betweens 14 to 33 years of age
Researchers
Incumbent and future leaders/decision-makers
Envisaged Challenges the project aims to address:
Low level of access to, and capacity to understand, available scientific research outcomes and other Educational materials.
Low level of literacy.
Poor educational delivery to students.
Ensuring widespread dissemination to counter inherent lack of interest by key youth segments in education.
Lack of understanding and knowledge retention among students.
inappropriate use or corruption of information made available
Lack of audio-video supplements to educational materials.
Challenges in teaching methodologies.
Anticipated Cost Segments:
1. Cost of production of educational material
2. Cost of hiring audio-video presenter and recording studio/ environment.
3. Cost of audio-video production/ conversion of research outcomes and other educational materials in to audio-video.
4. Cost of editing audio-video material
5. Cost of user devices such as iPods, cell-phones and computers that leverage MP3, MP4 or similar audio-video technology.
6. Associated bandwidth and website hosting.
7. Logistics.
Suggestions that enhance the above outline are welcome.

"Education is not filing a bucket but lighting a fire." Anon

Primary Six Graduation Speech by Hamza Ajijola July 2008

2010-08-09T15:18:00.001+01:00

Primary Six Graduation Speech

By Hamza Ajijola

July 2008

Assalamu alaiykum waramatullah wabarakatu,

Honoured guests, parents, teachers, friends and schoolmates,

We thank Allah rabbil izzah who watches us day and night. He does not slumber nor does he sleep. We also thank Allah for making us to be alive today and for allowing us to be Muslims. After today, we shall no more be primary students but we look forward to being new secondary students.

I want to thank the director for an opportunity to speak to everyone on what I feel about leaving Great Heights Academy, primary school. I also on behalf of my class want thank the directress for a successful session. I also thank our parents for paying our school fees and helping the school in many instances. I also want to thank teachers for their hard work and great effort to train us. GREAT HEIGHTS ACADEMY staff are among the nicest people I have ever met.

Leaving primary school begins another page of my life. I will miss all the competitions which we have won. I will miss the atmosphere of GREAT HEIGHTS ACADEMY and my fellow classmate's. I will miss all my teachers especially:

MRS. R.A, BAKARE
MR. DANBELLO A.
MR. JOHNSON E.
MR. SIMON I.

I will like advice the school to continue the way it was when I was here. My advice to the children is to grow up as good Muslims and help build the Muslim Ummah. I advise parents to help their children in their homework, to be patient with their children and attend many school support activities as my Parents have done. I also advice parents to lead by example and to make sure their children come to school early.

I want to thank the director, teachers, staff, parents or school mates as well as those whom I do not realise have contributed to Great Heights Academy for making our time in this school a successful one.

Recite Ayatul Qursiy.

May Allah guide us and protect us anywhere we go in life.

Assalamu alaiykum waramatullah wabarakatu,

Hamza Ajijola

Thoughts

Science and Democracy World Forum (SDWF) “Science and Knowledge” Dakar, Senegal

Policy Considerations for the Cloud

NREN Policy Issues - Discussion Points

Cloud Computing: What is in it for Africa?

Cloud Computing:What is in it for Africa

A presentation by:

Abdul-Hakeem B. D. Ajijola

ajijola@consultancyss.com, ajijola@gmail.com

@ the

Idlelo 2010 Conference

India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI), Opposite the Council of State Offices, Ridge, Accra-Ghana.

18 May, 2010

Podcasting Scientific Research Outcomes as well as other Educational materials

Primary Six Graduation Speech by Hamza Ajijola July 2008

Cloud Computing:
What is in it for Africa