Mobile Garage at UoN

This weekend on February 18 from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Akirachix together with the School of Computing and Informatice (SCI) will be hosting the first of a series of Mobile Garage Workshops at the University of Nairobi, Chiromo Campus, SCI lab. These workshops will be held in different institutions of higher learning all over Kenya. This event’s theme is mobile technology and entrepreneurship.

Mobile Garage at UoN

Akirachix is the implementing organization of the Mobile Social Networking in Kenya project sponsored by infoDev. The main aim of the project is to create sustainable businesses for the knowledge economy through mobile applications development. We plan to achieve this by holding social networking activities in Universities and Colleges through an initiative dubbed “Mobile Garage”. Through such events we will look into:

• Opportunities in app development – what is happening in the future?
• How to monetize student apps – build a business case,
• Identify possible ideas for apps for competitions

We will also hold two annual app competitions. Winners of the app competitions will be linked to labs such as the iHub, Mlab or the NaiLab and be assigned mentors. We will highlight the work students/developers that we meet at institutions and profile their mobile applications on www.mobilegarage.co.ke. To register for the event go here; http://mobilegarageatuon.eventbrite.com/

AkiraChix wins Google RISE award

AkiraChix has won Google RISE funding for the second round of the AkiraChix training program.

For its 2012 round of funding, the Google RISE program had over 400 applications from the US, EMEA and Sub Sarahan Africa regions and awarded 26 organizations. All of the recipient organizations are doing incredible work to increase access and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) fields and Computer Science with diverse student populations

AkiraChix, in line with its mission of inspiring and developing women in technology, started a technical training program for young women from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Nairobi. We had a very successful first year, with 17 young women and one young man graduating in August 2011 with skills in programming, web design and entrepreneurship.

The Google RISE funding will facilitate the running of this second edition of the program by covering the program costs. For more information about the second round of the AkiraChix traning program, please email info@akirachix.com

Galz in Tech: Kate Kiguru

Who is Kate and what do you do?

I am sociable, highly communicative, value laughter as an integral part of life and determined in pursuit of my ambitions. Whilst happy to work independently, I value the team spirit shared with six other likeminded IT fanatics collectively known as Akirachix.

In 2011, I co-founded Ukall Limited, a boutique ICT company, which occupies most of my time. I am also Chairperson of  Wonder Gals Limited,an association of female professionals from different backgrounds engaged in the development of natural  health care products as a means to empowering women by helping reflect their inner beauty.

Kate Kiguru

Do you have any formal training in the field of tech?

I have a Diploma in Computer Studies from Kiambu Institute of Science & Technology. Subsequently, I have gained skills in designing and developing applications for windows CE devices, POS terminals and other mobile devices.

What application(s) are you working on? What do you require to make them successful?

Under Ukall, I am currently developing a mobile application, “Uguard” to integrate with “Upay” (a proven end to end Payroll & HR system currently in use in the market ) to ensure integrity of data used to drive payroll in the Security Industry.

To achieve success, I have engaged with NaiLab, a Nairobi based incubation and acceleration centre that supports and promotes smart innovative businesses.

What challenges have you faced in the tech industry so far?

Keeping abreast with continually evolving technological developments and identifying areas where I can excel and demonstrate differentiation.

Why did you choose to be in the field of technology?

I developed an early interest in technology in high school – this passion has continued unabated.

What would you do if you were not in the field of tech?

Frankly, I have never considered a different career path, though if I were to switch I would wish it were to a discipline where I have control of my future destiny and further support the welfare of underprivileged Kenyans.

Inspirational talk, Christmas Day 2011, to Internally Displaced Persons located at “Vumilia Camp”, Mai Mahiu near Nairobi.

Follow her on Twitter: @kiguruc

2012 Grace Hopper Celebration Of Women In Computing (Call For Participation)

By BJ Wishinsky (Community Manager, Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology)

The 12th annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC) has opened its Call for Participation.

GHC 2012

The annual conference, presented by the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, is the world’s largest gathering of women in computing.

The Grace Hopper Celebration will take place from October 3 – 6, 2012 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

This year’s theme “Are We There Yet?” recognizes that technology and the culture of technology are continuously evolving but there are also concrete goals we are striving to achieve.

Important Dates:

• March 16, 2012: Deadline for submission of Program Abstract
• May 17, 2012: Notifications
• June 1, 2012: Registration Opens
• June 25, 2012: Deadline for submission of Final Program Content

Submissions are being accepted in the following tracks:

• Birds of a Feather (BOFs)
• New Investigators Papers
• Panels, Workshops and Presentations
• PhD Forum
• Posters and SRC Posters
• Social Collaboration Track
• Women of Underrepresented Groups Track

The organizing committees will review all abstracts submitted to the conference on the basis of a set of criteria, including the quality of the submission and its relevance to this conference, originality and scope of the subject matter.

For complete details,including links to the proposal template and sample proposals, see the Call for Participation page.

To stay on top of deadlines, we recommend you subscribe to our newsletter.

NetHope Academy Intern Program Recruitment

The goal of the NetHope Academy Intern Program is to help unemployed youth find full time IT jobs by providing the practical work experience, training (technical and soft skills), and mentoring needed.

The six month long program gives entry level IT professionals the chance to expand their knowledge beyond the classroom by providing the practical hands on experience needed to be successful in the field.  NetHope works closely with world class technology sector partners including Cisco, Microsoft, Accenture, ESRI, Global VSAT Forum and others to bring their best offerings to the Intern Program.  Interns also receive ongoing coaching, mentoring, and soft skills training throughout the program.  Employers find this to be one of the most important elements of the program.

In Kenya, NetHope will be working in conjunction with the African Center for Women, Information and Communication Technology (ACWICT) to execute the program.  ACWICT has successfully run some similar programs geared towards helping unemployed youth find jobs in the IT sector.

We are currently accepting applicants into the program, and are working to secure internship slots at with host organizations that would be willing to commit to taking on interns for 4-6 months starting in April 2012.

We would like to welcome your support in helping to spread the word about this life changing program to any IT savvy youth who might be interested through your ambassadors as earlier suggested.  We are currently accepting applications until February 26 here: http://nethopeacademy.org/it-internships/

Successful candidates will have:

• Preference given to women and those coming from severely disadvantaged backgrounds and rural areas.
• A strong and demonstrated passion for technology and desire to pursue a career in IT.
• University or College degree or diploma in an IT related field such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Management of Information Systems, Telecoms preferred but not required.
• Ability to speak, write, and understand English.  All IT training will be given in English.
• Positive attitude and good work ethic.
• Ability to commit to 32 hours/week of work at host organization and 8 hours/week of study for 6 months starting in April 2012.
• Able to attend two week training session in the late March/early April timeframe.