building human capital
TRANSCRIPT
Networked Readiness -- Planning for ICTs in the Developing World
Building Human Capital in Uganda:Cisco Networking Academy Program
Presentation to Reebok Human Rights Foundation
September 20, 2004
ByTariq Mohammed
Returned United Nations Volunteer
• The mission
• Program sponsors and beneficiaries
• Challenges / problems
• How we achieved our goals
• Lessons learned
Agenda
Where is Uganda?
• Population: 26.4 million
• Area: 236, 040 sq km
• GDP per capita: US$ 1390
Uganda: Country Overview
Endangered Mountain Gorillas
Least Developed Countries Initiative –Background
• G-8 Summit in July 2000
• Called for new private and public sector efforts
• Bridge the global digital divide
• Cisco Systems invested $3.5 million
•Established Cisco Networking Academy Program in LDCs
• Provide students in LDCs educational opportunities
• Develop human resource capacity
• Create a community of learning
• Enable businesses and governments to compete
• Demonstrate the power of IT for Development
Least Developed Countries Initiative –Goals
• Trains students to design, build and maintain computer networks.
• Delivers: web-based educational content online testingstudent performance tracking hands-on lab
instructor training and support
• Industry certifications: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Cisco Networking Academy Program
Least Developed Countries Partners
Educational InstitutionsGovernments Students
International DevelopmentOrganizations
Business
Project Tasks
• Implementation
• Operations and Monitoring
• Training and Development
• Information Management
Implementation:Established New Academies
• Researched and identified 10 Academies
• Organized stakeholder workshop
• Developed implementation plans
• Calculated program fees
Operations and Monitoring:Academy Management and Maintenance
• Site visits to Regional and Local Academies
• Quality Assurance standards
• Facilitate communication between Academies
Work-Site Tours…to let students see how and where the pros work.
Information Sessions…to promote company, attract top talent.
On-Campus Interviews...to recruit directly from the campus.
Resume Writing and Referral…to share resumes of promising students.
Posting Internship Listings…to assist partners with short term projects.
Networking with Alumni/ae…to develop links with other IT professionals
Workforce DevelopmentProgram
Training and Development:Quality Control
• Conducted training needs assessment
• Designed short business/management course
• Delivered course to instructors and support staff
• Obtained feedback from participants
Basic Business and ManagementTraining Program
• Career Management Plan
• Adding Value as a Team Player
• Strategic Planning
• Verbal and Written Communication Strategies
• Following up On Unfinished Business
• Inspiration, Motivation and Meaning at Work
• Writing Grant Proposals
• Time Management Techniques to Ensure Productivity
• Capturing and Sharing Knowledge
• Embracing Life-Long Learning
Professional Development ofNetworking Academy Staff
Information Management: Data Collection and Maintenance
• Tracked student enrollment
• Maintained graduate database
• Exchanged information on best practices
• Provided weekly/quarterly reports to LDC Initiative Team
• Highest Country Female Enrollment
• Highest Country Enrollment
• Most Graduates, Regional Academy (Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology)
• Highest Enrollment, Local Academy within the LDC Initiative (Institute of Computer Science at Makerere University)
• Job Placement Award (Institute of Computer Science at Makerere University)
5 Awards at Africa Academy Forum
Lessons Learnt
• Patience – don’t expect immediate results
• Persistence – if you don’t succeed try again
• Develop consensus – keep partners involved
• Tact/Follow Through – give reminders for results
• Sensitivity – local expertise vs. global “cut and paste”
Integration
Thank You
Tariq MohammedReturned United Nations Volunteer
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tariq