[afnog] [Kictanet] Career Workshop for High School Girls

[Brian Longwe]

Wow! This is a direct clash with Strathmore University's Annual ICT  
Conference. Or is there compe? Campuses should have better coordination

Brian


On 2 Sep 2005, at 16:44, Dorcas Muthoni wrote:

> On September 10, 2005 starting 9.30 a.m, members of LinuxChix  
> Africa  (www.africalinuxchix.org) who live in Kenya will to hold a  
> Career Workshop for High School girls to encourage them to pursue  
> careers in Computing.
>
> We believe that computing as a whole and Free and Open Source  
> Software(FOSS) in particular, can play a significant role in  
> empowering women. The copyleft nature of FOSS helps programmers to  
> learn from programs or modify them so that they build on the  
> innovations of others rather than re-invent the wheel: Great  
> achievements can only be made by standing on the shoulders of giants.
>
> However, IT innovations and the opportunities are ineffectual if  
> people are un-aware of them. The lack of awareness goes a long way  
> in explaining the notable dearth of women in the IT industry in  
> Kenya. A situation, that exists inspite of the fact that they  
> achieve as well as the boys in pre-university examinations. Due to  
> lack of access to information about the opportunities in the ICT  
> field, girls who do well in their O-Levels often opt for other  
> disciplines. The purpose of this workshop is to provide them with  
> information on computing and also answer their questions regarding  
> computing as a career.
>
> The team is composed of former and current Computer Science  
> students and other players in the computing industry. Keynote  
> speakers will comprise luminaries from various IT displines. We  
> shall have women system administrators, system analysts,  
> developers, academics, entreprenuers, CTOs and other computer  
> scientists. The focus on women keynote speakers is a deliberate  
> move that aimed at demonstrating success in the IT industry is not  
> impeded by one's gender. It is hoped that the speakers will inspire  
> and serve as role models to the girls.
>
> We expect up to 450 students to attend. The event will be held at  
> the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Jubilee Hall Auditorium  
> in collaboration with their Computer Science Department.
>
> Although this event is in commemoration of the Software Freedom  
> Day, the team intends to build on the gains of the day by setting  
> up Linuxchix Africa affliated clubs in the schools in order spread  
> the spirit of opensisterhood in computing.
>
> In the afternoon starting *2.00 p.m*, we shall have discussion  
> tables where industry players can freely interact with the students  
> in order to share their experiences and inspirations. All are welcome.
>
> We shall distribute CDs and leaflets to the girls which they will  
> be able to carry and share with others.
>
> This event will happen with support from Catholic University of  
> Eastern Africa, KENIC, KICTANET and CATIA. We applaud them for  
> their kindness.
>
>
> Thanks and regards,
> Dorcas Muthoni
> Team Leader
> Cofounder LinuxChix Africa
>
> <dmuthoni.vcf>
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