By Christopher Jator Njechu & Walter Wilson Nana
The Chairman of Microsoft Africa Zone, Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra, has said his company would soon develop and launch a communication satellite for Africa as part of responsibility the outfit shoulders.
(l to R) Mgr. Bokot, Diarra, Kwemain Inaugurate IT Centre
The innovation falls in line with the company's commitment to provide a fast Internet connection to meet up with the continent's ever-increasing use of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, tools.
It was outlined that such a space instrument would, to a larger extent, serve in the transmission of mobile phone signals as well as radio and television waves, thereby improving upon communication networking within the continent and beyond.
To this effect, a partnership accord was on Thursday, December 14, signed between the Microsoft Company and University of Yaounde I to lay the groundwork for research towards the development of the communication spacecraft.
Cheick Modibo Diarra signed on behalf of his company meanwhile the Rector of the University of Yaounde I, Dr. Dorothy Limunga Njeuma, reached the agreement on behalf of the National Advanced School of Engineering, a professional institution under the University of Yaounde I.
The accord was reached thanks to the MTN project dubbed "School Connectivity" which seeks to enable the outfit effect and equip multimedia centres in university institutions, high schools and colleges around the world.
According to terms of the accord, the communication company would not only effect or supply ICT tools (computers) to multimedia centres but would equally proffer the know-how on their use in the domains of research that effectively lays the groundwork for a satellite development by Africans themselves.
The objective is to help teachers develop pedagogic softwares for schools while also enabling them to prepare their courses and make evaluations.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Njeuma expressed joy towards the honour given her as shown by the choice of her University by Microsoft to establish cooperation, which she said has come to last. She said the gesture would contribute greatly to understanding the potential as well as development of ICTs teaching.
Some 40 teachers from some Government High Schools received
attestations after completing a training course to that effect. The
course was jointly organised by the Microsoft management and Cameroon
Oil Transportation Company, COTCO.
Microsoft Partners With ADCOME
Meanwhile, Diarra, also signed a partnership deal with one of Cameroon's leading IT institutions, ADCOME.After officially co-launching the multimedia centre of College de la Retraite in Yaounde, Friday, December 14, with the Arch-Bishop of Yaounde, Mgr. Felix Tonye Bakot, the Deputy CEO of MTN Cameroon, Jean Claude Ottou and the Executive Director of ADCOME, Roland Kwemain, the one time Director of NASA quickly moved ahead to clinch a deal with ADCOME.
According to Kwemain, ADCOME IT Training Centre in Buea will become a certified Microsoft IT Academy. "Cameroonians will have the opportunity to do certified Microsoft Examinations with ADCOME, without having to spend much to go abroad," Kwemain said.
The partnership deal highlights an improved educational content and software of ADCOME's activities, especially in the School Connectivity Programme, which have been installed in more than thirty secondary and high schools in Cameroon.
Kwemain added that the newfound relationship with Microsoft would enable ADCOME to run a computer laboratory and content. "This will reduce the financial burden on schools and other education-related institutions interested in the business of internet connections and content," he explained.
While launching the multimedia centre of College de la Retraite, Kwemain brought to the fore the inevitable role and resources of Microsoft and the MTN School Connectivity Programme in the entire processes his institution has gone through in setting up the more than 30 multimedia centres across Cameroon. "Thanks to these relationships, we've reached more than 75,000 students and 4,500 teachers in secondary and high schools in Cameroon," he revealed.
Microsoft, the leader in the field of IT worldwide, has identified in MTN Cameroon and ADCOME, the leading strands to reach to a greater part of Cameroonians so as to place the numerous opportunities Microsoft offers.
A pat on the back to Mr. Kwemain for the vision and dynamism with which he is realizing this very important project.
An analysis of the project implementation report posted on ADCOME web site reveals some rather inexplicable facts about the territorial spread of the project so far.Of the 24 schools served in its first phase, 16 are East of the Mungo,6 in the SW and 1 in the NW (understandably located at the alma mata of one of the pioneer administrators).
According to that report, phase II provides for 9 schools, 4 of which are East of the landmark bridge, 3 in the SW and 2 in the NW.
Is it because regional "balance" was born in Buea that regional imbalance has to follow? One would have thought that the roots of the project should grow deep at its seat before spreading out to the rest of the country;unless of course it is a business decision on the part of the financial partners.Even that would still be perplexing given that MNT seems to have an attractive territory to defend in the immediate area of the project HQ.
Posted by: Mburlih | Friday, 21 December 2007 at 03:58 PM