Free software gets a new home in East Africa

From: Frederick Noronha (FN) (fred_at_bytesforall.org)
Date: 06/27/04 

Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 05:53:02 CST

Message: 3
   Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 07:40:08 +0000
   From: Sunil Abraham <sunil@mahiti.org>
Subject: Free software gets a new home in East Africa

http://www.tectonic.co.za/default.php?action=view&id=307&topic=Open%20Source

June 22 2004 - The free and open source software (Foss) community has
got a new home in East Africa. A recent venture between Linux Solutions,
the International Institute of Communication and Development and Uganda
Martyrs University has led to the formation of the East African Centre
for Open Source Software (EACOSS). Wire Lunghabo James, managing
director of Linux Solutions, says EACOSS intends offering FOSS training
for the "growing army of ICT professionals in the region". The center is
initially focused on developing these skills in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania,
Rwanda and Burundi.

James says the mission of EACOSS is to "promote the use and access to
Free and Open Source Software in the East African community and
contribute to its development through empowering people with ICT
skills." The center was established in April of this year and is based
in Kampala, Uganda.

The center is established on the premise that through the use of open
source software the digital gap between the advanced nations and the
developing nations can be bridged and poverty reduced, says James.
"Lower costs, access to software for all and improved capacity
development provide that starting point".

EACOSS has already introduced training, certification and free access to
software in the EACOSS center. "It enables people from around the region
learn more about effective, affordable and appropriate software
technology to use for development in Africa."

“At EACOSS we believe that FOSS solutions are an opportunity for Africa
to leapfrog into the information age. The current hurdle that needs to
be skipped has more to do with skills and that is the gap that this
center is aiming to fill,” says James.

For more information on EACOSS email eacoss@umu.ac.ug
Thanks,

ಸುನೀಲ್ 

-- 
Sunil Abraham, sunil@mahiti.org http://www.mahiti.org
MAHITI Infotech Pvt. Ltd.'Reducing the cost and complexity of ICTs'
314/1, 7th Cross, Domlur Bangalore - 560 071 Karnataka, INDIA
Ph/Fax: +91 80 51150580. Mobile:  +91 80 36701931
"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples 
then you and I will still each have one apple. 
But if you have an idea and I have one idea and we exchange these
ideas,then each of us will have two ideas" George B. Shaw
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