East African Journal of Information Sciences

Choice of Final Year Options by Undergraduate Students at the Moi University School of Information Sciences

Duncan Amoth — 2018-03-06

This paper presents the findings of a study that examined career aspirations of Bachelor of Information Science students at the School of Information Science Moi University, Kenya. The population for this study consisted of registered fourth year students at the school during the 2006/2007 academic year. The researchers used the students at the school because of its harmonized degree programme. The research instrument used to collect data from the respondents was a questionnaire specifically designed for this study. Data collected were categorized and presented in tables and percentages. It was found that most students join the programme without prior knowledge of the other information science professions other than Information Technology. The study further revealed that the major factors which contributed to the choice of career in different professional areas included the availability of diverse job opportunities, and monetary rewards . It was also found that most of the students chose their careers without any proper career guidance and counselling. The respondents aspired to take up careers in information technology firms, media houses, research institutions, information consultancies, libraries, record centres, archives , systems analysis centres and international organizations. It is recommended that the programme be publicized properly to create awareness on different professionals areas that are included in the information sciences degree programme at Moi University.

A Critical Analysis of The Impact of Digitizing Indigenous Knowledge

Wanja Thairu — 2018-03-19

A review of recent literature on the subject reveals that indigenous knowledge (IK) is one of the most popular subjects that have been studied, written about, discussed in conferences, in websites and favourably funded in terms of study projects, discussions and project implementation. At the international level, UN organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, UNESCO, FAO and others have in recent years woken up to the fact that there is need to acknowledge, recognize and appreciate that traditional knowledge from all parts of the world has contributed and continues to contribute tremendously to many spheres of and strategies in world development. Specific policies, including national policies, have even referred to indigenous knowledge in the context of information communication and technology, copyrights and intellectual property rights. It however seems that the concern is focused on dissemination and sharing of this knowledge for the common good, to the extent that one wonders to whose interest this focus is geared and whether the ‘common good’ as justified by the concept of information commons, is truly common. In recognition of the fast technological developments and globalization trends, the author studied plans and processes of digitizing indigenous knowledge in Kenya and argues that under the present socio-economic and socio-political circumstances, it may not, in most cases, be advisable to indiscriminately subject it to the undergoing processes of digitization. The study was carried out in Kenya where the research assessed and critically analyzed the impact and challenges of digitizing indigenous knowledge.The study establishes that to date Kenyan IK largely remains unrecorded and shrouded in secrecy since it is not fully protected by patents or copyright laws, and where it is written and thus communicated, it is not fully interpreted, understood and appreciated. Traditionally, it is passed on verbally and thus classified as mere folktales. Nonetheless, while digitization of IK is a new and unavoidable development, it can also enhance piracy and loss of intellectual property rights unless Kenya establishes adequate and effective infrastructure and information system to capture, store and preserve its IK for utilization of this valuable resource in solving current and future socio psycho-political and economic problems for the betterment of Kenyans and the world at large.

Management of ICT In Higher Education in India – Upgrading Standards to Face International Competition

K S Chandrasekar — 2018-03-19

The use of ICT in education in India, particularly in higher education, has been slow but progressing steadily. This trend is set to continue because of the Internet revolution and high literacy level in India. It is with this perspective that ICT use in higher education is detailed in the paper. The paper was developed based on the interaction of the researcher with the stakeholders of the ICT at governmental and societal levels. Even though an exhaustive data collection went into the study, only the salient aspects of the ICT use in higher education has been delineated in this paper. Some of the administrative hurdles can be overcome once this process is fully utilized. Now the central and state governments are initiating steps to increase the use of ICT with the launch of EDUSAT, IT@School etc. The teachers are now refreshed on current developments using EDUSAT technology.

Information and Communication Technology Education Policy in Kenya

Catherine W Getao — 2018-03-19

In this paper the author argues that information and communication technology (ICT) education is complex because it encompasses ICT-mediated education, ICT-enabled education and ICT education. It also exists within political and socioeconomic realities that may work for or against its success. In view of this ICT education requires a policy that originates from a National ICT Policy that makes the major strategic decisions and provides the political and socioeconomic basis for the fulfillment of the education policy. The author goes on to present two strategies for working from a National ICT policy to an ICT education policy: a human resource planning approach and a technology diffusion approach.

Capacity Development for Library and Other Information Professionals in a Knowledge-driven Society

Cephas Odini — 2018-03-19

The paper identifies knowledge as the key resource in the socio-economic development of a country since knowledge rather than capital or labour is increasingly becoming an important resource in the emerging information society. The paper discusses the concept of knowledge-based society as a society where knowledge workers are the dominant group in the workforce and where information technology allows knowledge to spread almost instantly making it accessible to everyone. Given the speed at which information travels, every organization in the knowledge society has to be globally competitive. The paper recognizes the changing nature of job activities as we enter the information society and the need to change the present education and training practices in order to equip the students with the requisite skills and competencies that will enable them to participate actively, creatively and comprehensively in the information economy. It stresses the need to exploit the opportunities offered by information and communication technologies in providing quality education which is vocational, more practical and work-based. It identifies the knowledge and skills that are lacking in the job market especially in the areas of Information Technology, Communication, Marketing, Financial Management and Total Quality Management. The authors recommends the strengthening of continuous education programmes in order to bridge the gaps and deficiencies that currently exist among the practicing information professionals in the emerging knowledge driven society.

Growth of Cyber Cafés in Kenya: Social perspectives

G Wanyembi — 2018-03-21

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a means of communication for social and economic development in Kenya is now an established fact. This is particularly evident in urban areas where the availability of information infrastructure (II) e.g. the Internet, provides an enabling environment for development of computer networks and cyber cafes. Users can access the Internet more easily and conveniently than before. Internet cafes have grown from a small number in late 1990s into a booming business. Research into their social implications however, remains low. This study aims at determining their social impact on the Kenyan society. To achieve this broad objective, a number of data collection instruments were designed and employed, including questionnaires, interviews and observation. Visits were made to 12 cyber cafes selected as case studies in seven urban areas including Nairobi. The analyzed data shows that cyber cafes have had a significant social impact. The e-mail, though considered lean in media richness theory, has become the preferred choice of communication to the postal services among young people. However, attendant challenges related to poor information infrastructure countrywide still persist. There are also opportunities for expansion of the sector in light of the increasing demand from an ever-growing population of new users and evolving wireless technology.