AITEC, ICT conference a great source of updates on global technology trends, has recorded increased interest from global companies, regional governments and private sector players this year following the theme “smart cities, smart societies, smart enterprises” announced earlier. Some of the institutions including the Kenya government-funded National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), the Chandaria Foundation, LIWA Trust, Uganda’s Mara Foundation, Germany’s GIZ and the British High Commission in what is seen as fresh recognition of the importance of technology innovation in the region.
Other major sponsors of the popular event include IBM (US), Business Connexion (South Africa), Avanti Communications (UK), BlackBerry (US), Deloitte and KPMG. ICT innovation centres like iHub, and mLab, Strathmore University’s @iLabab and Ushahidi. Software trainers like Tezza Business Solutions and Digital Age Institute are also listed as supporting organizations of the inclusive industry event. This year also, six universities including JKUAT, Kenya Methodist University, Inorero University, KCA and Strathmore as well as USIU will participate in analyzing the ICT skills gap in the country. The speakers and panelist for this forum include Dr Bitange Ndemo, PS in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Kamal Budhabbati-CEO of Craft Silicon, Prof Henry Thairu of Inorero University, Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak, Secretary of the National Commisison for Science and Technolohgy (NCST), Jyoti Muckerjee, CEO of Software Technologies, among other prominent ICT personality. The Kenya Institute of Education will film the conference as part of its virtual learning programming.
