Welcome Address by Kenneth Omeruo at EduNet Africa Conference 2011
WELCOME ADDRESS BY KENNETH OMERUO,MD/CEO,EMERGING MEDIA ON 7TH JULY,2011 AT UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS,NIGERIA
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to EduNet Africa Conference (EduNet)2011 on behalf of the organisers –Emerging Media publishers of www.techtrendsng.com,in collaboration with Centre for Information Technology and Systems(CITS)University of Lagos,Nigeria.
The theme for this year’s Conference is:
Exploring the Opportunities of a Connected Tertiary Institution to Pioneer Digital Revolution in Africa.
Why this Event?
This is the era of knowledge –based economy. The new information and communication technologies (NICT) especially the Internet has become a veritable tool for learning, research, business development and growth, mass communication, social empowerment for social changes. With the Higher education in developed world playing key roles in research of these new technologies and how they help in development(ICT4D) and transformation of businesses into great organizations like Google, Facebook,Twitter etc.High institutions of learning in Africa have paid little attention in harnessing the potentials of the Internet and new technologies in learning, teaching, research and development,socialization.
With increased Broadband access into Africa, most tertiary institutions in Africa now have internet labs that are well equipped with internet facilities and new technologies; this is a welcomed development and a right step in the right direction. But one question that comes into mind is-are these internet facilities being maximized by the lecturers, researchers, students and the university, teaching and learning community as a whole? Has the presence of these internet labs impacted positively on the teaching and learning process of these institutions?
It is obvious that the internet facilities in these tertiary institutions are not being put to optimal use, because of this, Internet education has become necessary to equip the university community in Africa with possibilities and opportunities that will make them take their rightful place.
Therefore to empower the teaching and learning community in Africa with the right internet education as identified above, this conference known as EduNet Africa Conference (EduNet Africa) is here to bridge this digital divide and infopoverty in Africa.
What is EduNet Africa Conference All About?
EduNet conference is the leading internationally recognized conference for Higher Education community in Africa. It is being hosted annually in different tertiary institutions across the continent. This event is meant to create an environment to learn, network with stakeholders in ICT industry, share ideas that will enhance the effective use of the Internet facilities and the new technologies in the university and Institutions of higher learning in Africa.
This event brings together delegates from education and training institutions, Government and regulatory authorities, International organizations like the UNESCO,ICT experts and stakeholders, Internet based businesses, service providers, e-Commerce providers, startups, IT companies, that are involved in online marketing, e-commerce technology, web technology and development, content development and management, to interact,learn,network,share ideas that will benefit the education sector in Africa using ICT.
One of the unique features of EduNet Africa Conference is the opportunity it offers African Startups to showcase their product and services through the African Startups Showcase (ASS) at the event. African Startups will have opportunities and exposure to venture capital, partnership, loans, grants, scholarship etc.at the conference. They will be given opportunities to be part of International events like the World Summit Youth Awards organized by the United Nations.
What are the Objectives of this Conference?
–To explore the opportunities and possibilities the internet, mobile and new technologies provide within the academics in the areas of e-learning, business, communication and social changes (ICT4D).
–To educate and empower our teaching, learning and Training community with Internet education that will improve the quality of teaching, learning, e-collaboration, research and development in Africa.
-To spark up netpreneurship and digital revolution in Africa by creating opportunities for our institutions to develop applications that will compete favorably globally. It is an event that encourages African Startups through the African Startup Exhibitions.
-To help fully integrate ICT into academic curriculum
-The conference will no doubt dissuade the youths from cyber crimes and open their minds to good and profitable use of the Internet and new technologies.
-It affords opportunities for businesses to leverage on the event to expose their product and services to their target audience and also seek future opportunity within the teaching and learning Community in Africa.
-It is the best place to network with top ICT experts and businesses in Africa. Young technopreneurs will meet top ICT experts that will serve as their role models.
To do just to the theme of ths year’s event,we have notable speakers who are experts in ICT.They will through their presentations here today help us understand and explore the opportunities we have in the academic community through ICT.
In conclusion,i want to appreciate everyone who has contributed to the reality of this event especially Prof Charles Uwadia for his support,advice and encouragement.Special thanks to Layer3 ltd,Teledom Group,Programos Software Group,Paradigm Initiative Nigeria,FutureSoft,PrintMax Limited,W.TEC for their support.I also appreciate NCS,ISPON,ATCON,ITAN for endorsing this event.And my friends in the media,thanks for your presence and support.I also appreciate the team that worked with us to make this day a reality,Mr Seun Adetule,Kayode Yusuf,Iheanyi Orji and everyone seated here today.
Once again welcome to EduNet Africa Conference 2011,wishing everyone a great deliberations!
Thank You and God Bless You.
Kenneth Omeruo
MD/CEO,Emerging Media