Good to hear from you Prof. I see some of you continued to grow professionally after my departure from DAR. It's good to hear that some of our institutions are doing something to develop local talent to address the development challenges of today. Just yesterday Rre Magang sent us posts of BUIST students using drone technology to assist with the fight against covid-19. I am informed that some students are trying to produce locally made ppes. Most of the products we use daily, which we normally take for granted, were invented by individuals or teams of scientists and technicians. For instance the leaf area meter which is now used worldwide for leaf area measurements in photosynthesis studies was developed by technicians at my Alma mater the University of Nebraska. I am informed that the centre pivot irrigation system also originated from the Department of Engineering of the same University. I therefore applaud your efforts. Keep it up in developing local talent. That is the only way we can be participants in the new world order ( is it the fourth revolution) rather than being spectators. Unfortunately our institutions have often emphasized academic achievements and put less effort on providing what I may call all round student development.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 at 6:33, omadibel@buan.ac.bw<omadibel@buan.ac.bw> wrote: #yiv8469582608 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Thank you Dr Gakale for your feedback. Surprising institutions like BUAN which ideally should be leaders tend to follow government's mediocre. Sometimes Government systems become even better and leave us behind while we are stuck in the past.I remember hosting young men who develop Modisar Cattle Management Platform (they were once incubated by BIH at Riverwalk) to give a seminar about the system. They were willing to put our teaching and research material online in their systems so that anyone (farmers and Students) who visit their website can access these information. I suggested that perhaps they can have a deal with BUAN such that every first year student is supplied with a tablet and all the notes and journal articles loaded in the tablet at start of first semester. The Modisar could negotiate a discount with any supplier while BUAN convince DTEF to increase tuition fee by P1000 to cover for a Tablet. My boos at the time dismiss it and said the Modisar young men can do it if they so wish. Now here we are; we are in a lockdown and students do not have access to teaching material. There is no distance learning platform operating and we are stuck while institutions like Botho are in contact with their student through Blackboard. Of course they would be a problems of connectivity, both reach and broadband speed even when those tablets are available.
The problem with BUAN is that we have confined ourselves to Agriculture; we are not offering any ICT course or program because we don't want to clash/compete with UB or BIUST. I think this is blunder; they is no subject that should not or can not operate without utilizing ICT. Anyway, the new boss is singing a different tune and I trust that we will soon be on the right track.
cheers and have a corona free stress day and stay home
Prof MadibelaFrom: ccardesa@dgroups.org <ccardesa@dgroups.org> on behalf of Ganyani Khosa <khosag@hotmail.com>
Sent: 08 April 2020 11:58
To: ccardesa <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] A good list of free and Paid Conference Call Services to chose from <!-- _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_MsoNormal, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_MsoNormal, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 h3 {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;font-weight:bold;}#yiv8469582608 a:link, #yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 a:visited, #yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_msonormal0, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_msonormal0, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_msonormal0 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_Heading3Char {font-family:"Cambria", serif;color:#243F60;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlink {}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlinkfollowed {}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1heading3char {}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1emailstyle20 {}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal1, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal1, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal1 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal2, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal2, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal2 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlink1 {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlinkfollowed1 {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph1, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph1, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph1 {margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph2, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph2, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph2 {margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1heading3char1 {font-family:"Calibri Light", sans-serif;color:#1F4D78;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1emailstyle201 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:#1F497D;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault1, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault1, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault1 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_EmailStyle39 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:windowtext;}#yiv8469582608 .yiv8469582608x_MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered {}#yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_WordSection1 {}#yiv8469582608 ol {margin-bottom:0in;}#yiv8469582608 ul {margin-bottom:0in;}-->
Government is a huge system that takes time to embrace modernisation processes let alone implement and track their effectiveness. ICT Professionals working with Government entities need to apply a bit of aggression in order to get government to move. Implement small projects in units such as Vehicle Licencing, Birth registration, etc in small doses and as priority projects and slowly e-Gov will be embraced and implemented. In Zimbabwe where e-Gov is slowly maturing, we started with small bits and now we are adding a Whole of Government Performance Management Systemhttp://irbm.pfms.gov.zw:8080/premas/ which will see the government modernise and automate its system for Managing for Development Results (MfDR) the IRBM.
Secondly, you may need to have a vibrant Computer Society…. This can help set standards and steer the National ICT trajectory. Namibia walked this route and can be used as a great case.
Thirdly, ICT professionals in Government may need to configure themselves into a community of practice to also steer the e-Gov trajectory. Zambia and Zimbabwe can be good cases although the files are not yet completely off the desks primarily because the old cadres still love to physically append signatures by pen to everything, failing to embrace digital and electronic signatures.
All the best Botswana.
From: ccardesa@dgroups.org <ccardesa@dgroups.org> On Behalf Of omadibel@buan.ac.bw
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 14:06
To: ccardesa <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] A good list of free and Paid Conference Call Services to chose from
With Botswana as a study case; its surprising that after government proclaimed to explore and employ ICT in its every task, such as e-governance, nothing has come from that proclamation. You still find piles of orange files in government offices. Even in offices where computers are available, processes are not computerized. This is a paradox given that concurrently there is no employment for ICT graduates; WHY? The job is there, prospective expertise is there (ICT graduates), what is the stumbling block? I may hear issues of budget, but remaining Botswana as a study case, can we say there is no funds to employ these youth?
My humble thoughts
Prof Madibela; BUAN
From:ccardesa@dgroups.org <ccardesa@dgroups.org> on behalf of Dr. Lucas P. Gakale via Dgroups <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Sent: 03 April 2020 10:44
To: ccardesa <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] A good list of free and Paid Conference Call Services to chose from
Thanks Dr Podisi for that informative input. Whilst governments talk so much about the importance of ICT in development, funding constraints limit the development of the necessary infrastructure and hence access.
Have a safe extreme social distancing time.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Fri, 3 Apr 2020 at 10:18,bpodisi@ccardesa.org
<bpodisi@ccardesa.org> wrote:
Good day!
I thank Dr Gakale for sharing his views and stimulating deeper reflections on the issues under discussion.
This response is triggered by his comment onwhether there is the necessary communication infrastructure to facilitate such communication platforms.
My "guess" would be there is some growing capacity in most countries but most of it is out of reach for many users due to limited access to affordable internet for many.
Gillwald and Mokobi (2019) based on the 2019Research ICT Africa (RIA) After Access Survey, which is conducted in 10 between 2017 and 2018 African countries – Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda – among others made the following observations:
- Supply-side issues such as ICT infrastructure development and coverage do not necessarily ensure digital beneficiation, but demand-side factors such as digital skills, education and affordability are equally critical elements to ensure a sustainable and a welfare-enhancing ICT sector.
- Smartphones, have become the principal means of Internet connectivity. Based on 10 African countries surveyed, only in South Africa is more than half the population online.
-Unaffordability of data means that usage is generally very low and most people are using services passively, not in the high-speed, always-on environment
In some countries, the low Internet uptake is a result of no coverage – there is insufficient broadband extension beyond the major urban centres in the case of Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.
- Yet even in countries where there is extensive coverage, such as in Lesotho, Rwanda and South Africa, the cost of devices is a major barrier to uptake.
- In several countries, including Nigeria and Tanzania, the lack of awareness or skills on how to use the Internet accounts for the large numbers of people who remain offline.
This is confirming what we already know nonetheless for those with access to internet and with the possibility to work from home. There is a wide range of internet based conference services available on the market and a good number of which are free or are free up-to a given number of participants or minutes.
Some free plans will limit you to just 10, 50 or 100 participants or some 40 minutes per conference call. Most free options give you up to 20, 50, 300 participants and paid options allow 1,000 participants with no limits on call duration.
To use one, for most of them, one needs to simply download/install the software into your device which could be a mobile phone or computer from a website provided by the company owning or selling the software.
The quicksprout.com link below is useful in briefly analysing the good and downside of the following 9 conference platforms;
- GoToMeeting
- RingCentral
- UberConference
- Zoom
- FreeConferenceCall.com
- Google Hangouts
- Vast Conference
- Webex
- BlueJeans
https://www.quicksprout.com/best-conference-call-services/
My next post will explore the available tools for collaborative writing which allows a group to work remotely to virtually edit a document. By highlighting available resources/tools for synchronized editing.
CCARDESA SAAIKS Platform
To facilitate engagement with our agricultural research and development stakeholders, CCARDESA with assistance of CTA and GIZ has developed the CCARDESA Information, Communication, Knowledge Management (ICKM) platform, nick-named " the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge System (SAAIKS) (http://www.ccardesa.org/saaiks-knowledge-hub) which is integrated into our organisational website (www.ccardesa.org) to serve as a platform for facilitating sharing of information an knowledge and engagement amongst our stakeholders. The use of Discussion groups (D-dgroups), social media (facebook, twitter) and some of the tools that we routinely use to share information and promote knowledge products developed by CCARDESA or other stakeholders. These channels remain limited in reaching our clientele and we continue to work with ICKM contact persons (http://www.ccardesa.org/national-focal-point) in each SADC Member State to facilitate the mobilisation of content for sharing through the platform and build the list of subscribers. The platform has useful resources/knowledge products particularly on climate smart agriculture including a mobile learning App suitable for use by extension officers which was developed last year.
Thank you.
--
Baitsi K. Podisi(PhD)
Research & Advisory Services Thematic Coordinator,
Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Secretariat
Plot 4701 Station Exit Road
Private Bag 00357, Gaborone
Botswana.
Tel: +267 3914991/7
Email: bpodisi@ccardesa.org
|| |
For sharing and accessing regional agricultural information, visit the CCARDESA Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge System (SAAIKS)http://www.ccardesa.org/saaiks-knowledge-hub
+267 3914997 Ext 211
Fax +267 316 7211
From:ccardesa@dgroups.org [mailto:ccardesa@dgroups.org]
Sent: 29 March 2020 16:36
To: Leaders-ccardesa <ccardesa-admin@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] [Action required] Tips for building a virtual lab community: Extrac
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Afternoon Dr Podisi. You have been working on a subregional program (I prefer to call it a regional program). For those who might not know our region was designated a subregion at the CGIAR when FARA was established as a regional program in accordance with the World Bank designation.
Anyway may main comment is that is there the necessary communication infrastructure to facilitate such communication platforms?
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sat, 28 Mar 2020 at 7:28,bpodisi@ccardesa.org
<bpodisi@ccardesa.org> wrote:
Dear Colleagues,
As we explore ways of working from home, I found this article from Nature Science magazine helpful with practical suggestions based on life experiences of researchers.
I came across the following tools that others are using to continue working remotely from home:
1. Use of the messaging tool WhatsApp for group chats,
2. Have a Google Group, or similar group platform, so you can blast e-mails and share resources with your team quickly and effectively. We also have a Google Sheet with people's contact information, their emergency contact person and our contingency plans
3. Have a system for people to back up their data and analyses from their home computers, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. Back-up, back-up, back-up.
4. Conduct virtual meetings using the videoconferencing platform such as Zoom, Skype or Webex
5. Using the online messaging tool Slack; around the clock to stay interactive and connected.
6. Use project-planning apps, such as Trello or TeamGantt, to lay out tasks strategically, with expected dates and milestones.
7. Tracking institutional-level milestones using Evernote and Confluence project-management software
For the full article visit the following link which also offers some practical tips on building a virtual lab community:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00935-3?utm_source=Nature+Bri...
Tips for building a virtual lab community
Provideassurance. Students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians need to hear that you are, first, unambiguously putting their health and the health of our communities first; and, second, working hard to mitigate any impact of the pandemic on their careers.
Adjustexpectations. Change how you gauge productivity, and give yourself and your team a break. Set reasonable daily goals or to-do lists to check off; mix up tasks of reading, writing and data analysis; and take breaks for lunch, socializing and exercise just as you normally would.
Check in. Check in by video call or phone with your colleagues, and especially those who live alone, may be new to an area or from another country, or live far from their family. Provide a virtual sign-up sheet or group list where people can indicate when they need assistance from the group, such as groceries, pet-sitting or in the event that they become ill.
Cover costs. Offer to cover any reasonable expenses for new laptops, trackpads, hard drives, software or other equipment that lab members need to work efficiently from home. Check whether grants and fellowships can cover computer-related expenses.Provide structure. Don't micromanage, but provide your team with milestones so that they can feel productive each week.
Keep it light. For early-morning video meetings, encourage members to wear their pyjamas and sport their 'bed head'. Or host a 'bring a pet to lab meeting' day.
Socialize, virtually. Set up virtual lunch-break 'rooms' in small groups of two to four to chat science (or not) while eating together. Arrange virtual happy hours or pub nights using programs such as Zoom or Webex so that large numbers of people can join during a two- to three-hour window.
Exercise. If advisable in your area, have team members pair up (while still social-distancing!) for exercise and fresh-air outings such as running, cycling, hiking or pet walking.
Contact IT. See if your institute offers professional accounts for Zoom, Webex, Skype Business or other virtual meeting platforms.
Learn. People can use free, online tutorials to pick up new skills of coding in R or Python, mastering Adobe Illustrator or brushing up on bioinformatics.
Collaborate. Now is a good time to call busy experts and ask them about your data or observations.
Thanks,
--
Baitsi K. Podisi(PhD)
Research & Advisory Services Thematic Coordinator,
Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Secretariat
Plot 4701 Station Exit Road
Private Bag 00357, Gaborone
Botswana.
Tel: +267 3914991/7
Email: bpodisi@ccardesa.org
|||
For sharing and accessing regional agricultural information, visit the CCARDESA Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge System (SAAIKS)http://www.ccardesa.org/saaiks-knowledge-hub
+267 3914997 Ext 211
Fax +267 316 7211
Thank you for being a member of the CCARDESA online Community. For more information on CCARDESA visit our website: wwww.ccardesa.org or Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/ccardesa and Twitter:@ccardesaa.
For sharing and accessing agricultural knowledge in the SADC region, visit the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge Management System:http://saaiks.net
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Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sat, 11 Apr 2020 at 6:33, omadibel@buan.ac.bw<omadibel@buan.ac.bw> wrote: #yiv8469582608 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}Thank you Dr Gakale for your feedback. Surprising institutions like BUAN which ideally should be leaders tend to follow government's mediocre. Sometimes Government systems become even better and leave us behind while we are stuck in the past.I remember hosting young men who develop Modisar Cattle Management Platform (they were once incubated by BIH at Riverwalk) to give a seminar about the system. They were willing to put our teaching and research material online in their systems so that anyone (farmers and Students) who visit their website can access these information. I suggested that perhaps they can have a deal with BUAN such that every first year student is supplied with a tablet and all the notes and journal articles loaded in the tablet at start of first semester. The Modisar could negotiate a discount with any supplier while BUAN convince DTEF to increase tuition fee by P1000 to cover for a Tablet. My boos at the time dismiss it and said the Modisar young men can do it if they so wish. Now here we are; we are in a lockdown and students do not have access to teaching material. There is no distance learning platform operating and we are stuck while institutions like Botho are in contact with their student through Blackboard. Of course they would be a problems of connectivity, both reach and broadband speed even when those tablets are available.
The problem with BUAN is that we have confined ourselves to Agriculture; we are not offering any ICT course or program because we don't want to clash/compete with UB or BIUST. I think this is blunder; they is no subject that should not or can not operate without utilizing ICT. Anyway, the new boss is singing a different tune and I trust that we will soon be on the right track.
cheers and have a corona free stress day and stay home
Prof MadibelaFrom: ccardesa@dgroups.org <ccardesa@dgroups.org> on behalf of Ganyani Khosa <khosag@hotmail.com>
Sent: 08 April 2020 11:58
To: ccardesa <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] A good list of free and Paid Conference Call Services to chose from <!-- _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_MsoNormal, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_MsoNormal, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 h3 {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;font-weight:bold;}#yiv8469582608 a:link, #yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 a:visited, #yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_msonormal0, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_msonormal0, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_msonormal0 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_Heading3Char {font-family:"Cambria", serif;color:#243F60;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlink {}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlinkfollowed {}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1heading3char {}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1emailstyle20 {}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal1, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal1, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal1 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal2, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal2, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msonormal2 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlink1 {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msohyperlinkfollowed1 {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph1, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph1, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph1 {margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph2, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph2, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msolistparagraph2 {margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman", serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1heading3char1 {font-family:"Calibri Light", sans-serif;color:#1F4D78;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1emailstyle201 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:#1F497D;}#yiv8469582608 p.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault1, #yiv8469582608 li.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault1, #yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_xyiv2799872309v1v1v1v1msochpdefault1 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8469582608 span.yiv8469582608x_EmailStyle39 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:windowtext;}#yiv8469582608 .yiv8469582608x_MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered {}#yiv8469582608 div.yiv8469582608x_WordSection1 {}#yiv8469582608 ol {margin-bottom:0in;}#yiv8469582608 ul {margin-bottom:0in;}-->
Government is a huge system that takes time to embrace modernisation processes let alone implement and track their effectiveness. ICT Professionals working with Government entities need to apply a bit of aggression in order to get government to move. Implement small projects in units such as Vehicle Licencing, Birth registration, etc in small doses and as priority projects and slowly e-Gov will be embraced and implemented. In Zimbabwe where e-Gov is slowly maturing, we started with small bits and now we are adding a Whole of Government Performance Management Systemhttp://irbm.pfms.gov.zw:8080/premas/ which will see the government modernise and automate its system for Managing for Development Results (MfDR) the IRBM.
Secondly, you may need to have a vibrant Computer Society…. This can help set standards and steer the National ICT trajectory. Namibia walked this route and can be used as a great case.
Thirdly, ICT professionals in Government may need to configure themselves into a community of practice to also steer the e-Gov trajectory. Zambia and Zimbabwe can be good cases although the files are not yet completely off the desks primarily because the old cadres still love to physically append signatures by pen to everything, failing to embrace digital and electronic signatures.
All the best Botswana.
From: ccardesa@dgroups.org <ccardesa@dgroups.org> On Behalf Of omadibel@buan.ac.bw
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2020 14:06
To: ccardesa <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] A good list of free and Paid Conference Call Services to chose from
With Botswana as a study case; its surprising that after government proclaimed to explore and employ ICT in its every task, such as e-governance, nothing has come from that proclamation. You still find piles of orange files in government offices. Even in offices where computers are available, processes are not computerized. This is a paradox given that concurrently there is no employment for ICT graduates; WHY? The job is there, prospective expertise is there (ICT graduates), what is the stumbling block? I may hear issues of budget, but remaining Botswana as a study case, can we say there is no funds to employ these youth?
My humble thoughts
Prof Madibela; BUAN
From:ccardesa@dgroups.org <ccardesa@dgroups.org> on behalf of Dr. Lucas P. Gakale via Dgroups <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Sent: 03 April 2020 10:44
To: ccardesa <ccardesa@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] A good list of free and Paid Conference Call Services to chose from
Thanks Dr Podisi for that informative input. Whilst governments talk so much about the importance of ICT in development, funding constraints limit the development of the necessary infrastructure and hence access.
Have a safe extreme social distancing time.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Fri, 3 Apr 2020 at 10:18,bpodisi@ccardesa.org
<bpodisi@ccardesa.org> wrote:
Good day!
I thank Dr Gakale for sharing his views and stimulating deeper reflections on the issues under discussion.
This response is triggered by his comment onwhether there is the necessary communication infrastructure to facilitate such communication platforms.
My "guess" would be there is some growing capacity in most countries but most of it is out of reach for many users due to limited access to affordable internet for many.
Gillwald and Mokobi (2019) based on the 2019Research ICT Africa (RIA) After Access Survey, which is conducted in 10 between 2017 and 2018 African countries – Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda – among others made the following observations:
- Supply-side issues such as ICT infrastructure development and coverage do not necessarily ensure digital beneficiation, but demand-side factors such as digital skills, education and affordability are equally critical elements to ensure a sustainable and a welfare-enhancing ICT sector.
- Smartphones, have become the principal means of Internet connectivity. Based on 10 African countries surveyed, only in South Africa is more than half the population online.
-Unaffordability of data means that usage is generally very low and most people are using services passively, not in the high-speed, always-on environment
In some countries, the low Internet uptake is a result of no coverage – there is insufficient broadband extension beyond the major urban centres in the case of Mozambique, Nigeria and Uganda.
- Yet even in countries where there is extensive coverage, such as in Lesotho, Rwanda and South Africa, the cost of devices is a major barrier to uptake.
- In several countries, including Nigeria and Tanzania, the lack of awareness or skills on how to use the Internet accounts for the large numbers of people who remain offline.
This is confirming what we already know nonetheless for those with access to internet and with the possibility to work from home. There is a wide range of internet based conference services available on the market and a good number of which are free or are free up-to a given number of participants or minutes.
Some free plans will limit you to just 10, 50 or 100 participants or some 40 minutes per conference call. Most free options give you up to 20, 50, 300 participants and paid options allow 1,000 participants with no limits on call duration.
To use one, for most of them, one needs to simply download/install the software into your device which could be a mobile phone or computer from a website provided by the company owning or selling the software.
The quicksprout.com link below is useful in briefly analysing the good and downside of the following 9 conference platforms;
- GoToMeeting
- RingCentral
- UberConference
- Zoom
- FreeConferenceCall.com
- Google Hangouts
- Vast Conference
- Webex
- BlueJeans
https://www.quicksprout.com/best-conference-call-services/
My next post will explore the available tools for collaborative writing which allows a group to work remotely to virtually edit a document. By highlighting available resources/tools for synchronized editing.
CCARDESA SAAIKS Platform
To facilitate engagement with our agricultural research and development stakeholders, CCARDESA with assistance of CTA and GIZ has developed the CCARDESA Information, Communication, Knowledge Management (ICKM) platform, nick-named " the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge System (SAAIKS) (http://www.ccardesa.org/saaiks-knowledge-hub) which is integrated into our organisational website (www.ccardesa.org) to serve as a platform for facilitating sharing of information an knowledge and engagement amongst our stakeholders. The use of Discussion groups (D-dgroups), social media (facebook, twitter) and some of the tools that we routinely use to share information and promote knowledge products developed by CCARDESA or other stakeholders. These channels remain limited in reaching our clientele and we continue to work with ICKM contact persons (http://www.ccardesa.org/national-focal-point) in each SADC Member State to facilitate the mobilisation of content for sharing through the platform and build the list of subscribers. The platform has useful resources/knowledge products particularly on climate smart agriculture including a mobile learning App suitable for use by extension officers which was developed last year.
Thank you.
--
Baitsi K. Podisi(PhD)
Research & Advisory Services Thematic Coordinator,
Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Secretariat
Plot 4701 Station Exit Road
Private Bag 00357, Gaborone
Botswana.
Tel: +267 3914991/7
Email: bpodisi@ccardesa.org
|| |
For sharing and accessing regional agricultural information, visit the CCARDESA Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge System (SAAIKS)http://www.ccardesa.org/saaiks-knowledge-hub
+267 3914997 Ext 211
Fax +267 316 7211
From:ccardesa@dgroups.org [mailto:ccardesa@dgroups.org]
Sent: 29 March 2020 16:36
To: Leaders-ccardesa <ccardesa-admin@dgroups.org>
Subject: [ccardesa] [Action required] Tips for building a virtual lab community: Extrac
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Afternoon Dr Podisi. You have been working on a subregional program (I prefer to call it a regional program). For those who might not know our region was designated a subregion at the CGIAR when FARA was established as a regional program in accordance with the World Bank designation.
Anyway may main comment is that is there the necessary communication infrastructure to facilitate such communication platforms?
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Sat, 28 Mar 2020 at 7:28,bpodisi@ccardesa.org
<bpodisi@ccardesa.org> wrote:
Dear Colleagues,
As we explore ways of working from home, I found this article from Nature Science magazine helpful with practical suggestions based on life experiences of researchers.
I came across the following tools that others are using to continue working remotely from home:
1. Use of the messaging tool WhatsApp for group chats,
2. Have a Google Group, or similar group platform, so you can blast e-mails and share resources with your team quickly and effectively. We also have a Google Sheet with people's contact information, their emergency contact person and our contingency plans
3. Have a system for people to back up their data and analyses from their home computers, such as Dropbox or Google Drive. Back-up, back-up, back-up.
4. Conduct virtual meetings using the videoconferencing platform such as Zoom, Skype or Webex
5. Using the online messaging tool Slack; around the clock to stay interactive and connected.
6. Use project-planning apps, such as Trello or TeamGantt, to lay out tasks strategically, with expected dates and milestones.
7. Tracking institutional-level milestones using Evernote and Confluence project-management software
For the full article visit the following link which also offers some practical tips on building a virtual lab community:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00935-3?utm_source=Nature+Bri...
Tips for building a virtual lab community
Provideassurance. Students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians need to hear that you are, first, unambiguously putting their health and the health of our communities first; and, second, working hard to mitigate any impact of the pandemic on their careers.
Adjustexpectations. Change how you gauge productivity, and give yourself and your team a break. Set reasonable daily goals or to-do lists to check off; mix up tasks of reading, writing and data analysis; and take breaks for lunch, socializing and exercise just as you normally would.
Check in. Check in by video call or phone with your colleagues, and especially those who live alone, may be new to an area or from another country, or live far from their family. Provide a virtual sign-up sheet or group list where people can indicate when they need assistance from the group, such as groceries, pet-sitting or in the event that they become ill.
Cover costs. Offer to cover any reasonable expenses for new laptops, trackpads, hard drives, software or other equipment that lab members need to work efficiently from home. Check whether grants and fellowships can cover computer-related expenses.Provide structure. Don't micromanage, but provide your team with milestones so that they can feel productive each week.
Keep it light. For early-morning video meetings, encourage members to wear their pyjamas and sport their 'bed head'. Or host a 'bring a pet to lab meeting' day.
Socialize, virtually. Set up virtual lunch-break 'rooms' in small groups of two to four to chat science (or not) while eating together. Arrange virtual happy hours or pub nights using programs such as Zoom or Webex so that large numbers of people can join during a two- to three-hour window.
Exercise. If advisable in your area, have team members pair up (while still social-distancing!) for exercise and fresh-air outings such as running, cycling, hiking or pet walking.
Contact IT. See if your institute offers professional accounts for Zoom, Webex, Skype Business or other virtual meeting platforms.
Learn. People can use free, online tutorials to pick up new skills of coding in R or Python, mastering Adobe Illustrator or brushing up on bioinformatics.
Collaborate. Now is a good time to call busy experts and ask them about your data or observations.
Thanks,
--
Baitsi K. Podisi(PhD)
Research & Advisory Services Thematic Coordinator,
Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) Secretariat
Plot 4701 Station Exit Road
Private Bag 00357, Gaborone
Botswana.
Tel: +267 3914991/7
Email: bpodisi@ccardesa.org
|||
For sharing and accessing regional agricultural information, visit the CCARDESA Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge System (SAAIKS)http://www.ccardesa.org/saaiks-knowledge-hub
+267 3914997 Ext 211
Fax +267 316 7211
Thank you for being a member of the CCARDESA online Community. For more information on CCARDESA visit our website: wwww.ccardesa.org or Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/ccardesa and Twitter:@ccardesaa.
For sharing and accessing agricultural knowledge in the SADC region, visit the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge Management System:http://saaiks.net
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For sharing and accessing agricultural knowledge in the SADC region, visit the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge Management System:http://saaiks.net
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For sharing and accessing agricultural knowledge in the SADC region, visit the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge Management System:http://saaiks.net
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For sharing and accessing agricultural knowledge in the SADC region, visit the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge Management System:http://saaiks.net
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For sharing and accessing agricultural knowledge in the SADC region, visit the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge Management System: http://saaiks.net
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For sharing and accessing agricultural knowledge in the SADC region, visit the Southern African Agricultural Information and Knowledge Management System: http://saaiks.net
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