Capacity Building in the Digital Era.
Kenya today hosted ICT experts from 70 countries in a Capacity Building Symposium in which stakeholders from across the world would also discuss trends and developments in the sector and their implications in economic development.
The Global Capacity Building Symposium (CBS) steered by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will run for four days and will focus on ICT capacity Building by private and public sector to meet society technology needs.
Participants appealed to governments, industry players , universities and other higher education institutions to increase their investments in ICT infrastructure and develop human capacity to increase participation in the economy and ensure the creation of an information society.
During the symposium whose theme was, ‘Embracing Capacity Building Opportunities in the Digital Era’ participants cited emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) as increasingly becoming a critical development that will greatly influence the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Deputy President William Ruto who officially opened the Symposium said the government will invest heavily in the ICT sector as a strategy to maximize on potetentials of Technology.
Mr Ruto said Kenya has been able to transform health, agriculture, education and finance among others sectors using ICT.
He said there was need to have quick access and fast internet connectivity to facilitate for the citizens to enjoy the value of ICT. He said there is need to put women, youth and people living with disabilities at the center of ICT to ensure they participate in taking advantage of technology to improve their lives.
The ICT Cabinet secretary Mr Joe Mucheru observed that ICT is a cross-cutting phenomenon that transforms almost all aspects of our lives. Mr. Mucheru said that the government, through the Presidential Digital Programme has recruited 400 IT interns who will work in the government and the private sector to develop their skills through mentorship.
The Cabinet Secretary said that ICT is evolving and noted that there was need for fast access to information to be availed to citizens for utilization. He noted that governments need to devise ways of accessing information to their consumers and that inter-governmental sharing and learning processes should be encouraged and promoted during this digital era.
Also present was Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Tuesday 6th September 2016