Karamoja gets sh190m ICT laboratory

TECHNOLOGY   

KAMPALA - It was a celebratory atmosphere at St Daniel Comboni Polytechnic in Moroto on Friday as the institution received a state of the art ICT laboratory in order to promote computer literacy.

The laboratory with equipment worth sh64m will support and provide educational services to students from neighbouring communities.

The lab has 10 computers connected to high-speed internet and a digital learning platform.

"Through this laboratory, our students will no longer struggle to search for information because they will get it from the Internet. This is an excellent step in the right direction. Instructors will use the lab to source information to better the quality of their training, and understand the latest trends in their respective fields," Fr Jude Kiggala, the Principal of the Institute, said.

Fr Kiggala noted that before vocational institutes used to register failures but now they have the best students.

"We are going to make the best of this gift. Beginning next month, we are going to start offering short courses in ICT at a subsidiary fee to our people in this region," Kiggala noted.

In a bid to promote computer literacy in schools and make technology in schools affordable, the ministry of Education, Enabel, a Belgian agency and MTN Foundation are spearheading the initiative in different vocational institutes.

Ambassador of Belgium Rudi Veestraete speaking

 
"We believe that in this era, where the computer and the internet have made the world a global village. No one should be left out. That is why we make it our responsibility to provide the less privileged with an opportunity to live a connected life by not only providing computers but also fast internet as well as computer literacy classes," Wim Vanhelleputte, the MTN Chief Executive Officer said.

Vanhelleputte noted that the decision to support vocational institutions was based on the fact that vocational training was found to be an effective way of addressing unemployment among the youth.

Speaking during the function, His excellency Rudi Veestraeten, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Uganda noted that his country and Ireland have close to five years heavily invested in skills development through supporting the implementation of the skilling Uganda strategic plan.

"Although ICT has been formally integrated into the business, technical, vocational education and training curriculum, vocational institutes lack general computer equipment, trained ICT staff, and ICT content and programmes," Veestraeten said.

Students speak out

"I am going to use the laboratory to learn new skills and trends so that I am not left out when it comes to getting a job," said Victor Ngorok, a building and construction student.

"We are going to be able to access YouTube channels so that we see what we learn. I will  use the computers we have been given to access all the information I need to learn," said Rebecca Acam, a student of mechanic engineering.