Press Release

Press release on the seminar is available: download link

About the Seminar

Many international development visions explicitly emphasize the importance of modern information and communication technologies for development. The same visions frequently state that sustainability is essential for development. In the field of IT/ICT, education is one of the cornerstones of sustainability. IT education has the potential to reduce a country's dependence on foreign IT experts, to foster a widespread adoption of ICTs for varying societal functions, and to empower people to produce suitable applications that meet each society's unique set of needs.

ICTs play different roles in developing countries and in industrialized countries. Between countries there are varying needs, expectations, and hopes concerning technology; as well as fears, concerns, and barriers concerning technology. Even the professional profile of an ICT expert differs between countries, regions, and societies. Hence, IT/ICT education must respond to local needs and to local circumstances. The central questions in this seminar concern ICT4D and the need to contextualize IT education in developing countries: whether, why, where, when, what, and how to contextualize IT education in the developing world. Furthermore, we discuss the negative and positive impacts of contextualization on the level of syllabi, content, pedagogy, learning outcomes, professionalization, and so forth.

This seminar brings together international, national, and regional experts on IT and IT education to discuss the current state and the future of IT education in the developing world. This seminar is not an arena for publication, but for discussion, networking, and planning of further collaboration. The seminar is organized around a number of invited talks, which are followed by short Q&A periods. Each day ends with a two-hour panel session where the floor is open for all the participants.

We ask all participants to register by January 11th by sending email to the local organizers.

Call For Articles

There is a separate call for articles on the conference theme for a special issue of the International Journal of Web Based Communities (IJWBC). More information available at the seminar.

Timetable

Tuesday, Jan. 15th

TimeTheme / Speaker
11:00-11:30 Coffee and refreshments
11:30-11:45Opening: Prof. Nicholas Bangu, Tumaini University, Tanzania
11:45-13:30 Invited talks: E-Learning and Robotics in the Developing World
Prof. Seugnet Blignaut, South Africa
Prof. Henrik Hautop Lund, University of Southern Denmark
13:30-14:15 Discussions over lunch
14:15-16:15 Panel Session: IT Education in Developing World
Invited talk: Prof. John Kondoro, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology, Tanzania
Panelist: Mr. Raimo Haapakorpi, FELM, Finland
Panelist: Mr. Jyri Kemppainen, FELM, Finland
18:00-21:00 Banquet at Riverside Campsite

Wednesday, Jan. 16th

TimeTheme / Speaker
09:00-09:15Opening of day: Prof. Erkki Sutinen
9:15-11:00 Invited talks: International Perspectives on IT Education
Prof. Erkki Sutinen, University of Joensuu, Finland
Prof. Ramawatar Yadav, Purbanchal University Biratnagar, Nepal
Dr. Mikko Vesisenaho, University of Joensuu, Finland
11:00-11:30 Coffee and refreshments
11:30-13:00 Lessons from IT Programs in East Africa
Mr. Deogratias Shidende, Ruaha University College, Tanzania
Mr. Simon K. M. Njovu, Mzumbe University, Tanzania
Mr. Fredrick Ngumbuke, Tumaini University, Tanzania
13:00-14:00 Discussions over lunch
Tumaini IT students introducing their studies and facilities
14:00-15:30 Conclusions
Future collaboration
Closing remarks
18:00-21:00 Seminar Dinner at Hilltop Hotel

Venue and Traveling

The seminar takes place at the newly built Science Park of Tumaini University, Iringa University College.

Iringa (see map) is located 502km (311 miles) west from Dar es Salaam. Iringa is best reached by bus; several bus companies drive daily from Dar es Salaam to Iringa, the most convenient ones being Sumry and Scandinavia. The cost is between 10.000 and 20.000 Tanzanian Shillings ($8-$15, €5-€11). Tickets should be purchased a few days in advance. Buses start early in the morning and the trip takes some 7-8 hours, and the route passes through Mikumi national park. Some of the buses drop passengers off at Ipogoro stop, which is some 6 kilometers away from Iringa town, whereas some of the buses go straight to Iringa center. Please inform the organizers about your coming if you need any assistance.

Accommodation

Wilolesi Hilltop Hotel (6 kilometers from the seminar venue, 2 kilometers from Iringa center); transportation to and from seminar venue is arranged by the organizers. There are single rooms (á 30K TSH/night), double rooms (á 40K TSH/night), and suites (á 50K TSH/night) available. Reservations by email at reservations@wilolesihilltophotel.com or by phone at +255 26 2700007 (mobile: +255 713 333 193).

Other hotels in Iringa are, for instance, MR Hotel (next to the bus station) and Chaula Hotel (next to Tumaini University).

Fees

The meeting, refreshments, and transportation between Hilltop Hotel and IUCo campus are free for all registered participants, but participants are expected to pay for their own accommodation, lunches, banquet, and dinner. Those who need a certificate of participation or a receipt for overall costs payed should inform the organizers before the meeting.

Contact

Organizers: