Not exactly the first company (tech or otherwise) to do this...what are the group's views on how the perception that locals aren't 'good' enough can be changed? http://www.humanipo.com/news/3992/IBM-turns-to-US-for-Nairobi-lab-staff -- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 Work Phone Kenya: 0202012707 LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza
And so I wonder, apart from public relations, why did they locate their research lab in Nairobi? They could have well had this lab in their Armonk, NY HQ and research will go on since it is not a material intensive venture that has to rely on a specific location. I believe Kenya has really good technical brains, but they lack the kind of exposure that their western counterparts have. Also, Kenyan universities aren't exactly doing a great job either.
we are on the way http://sci.uonbi.ac.ke/degree_courses/190 On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
And so I wonder, apart from public relations, why did they locate their research lab in Nairobi? They could have well had this lab in their Armonk, NY HQ and research will go on since it is not a material intensive venture that has to rely on a specific location.
I believe Kenya has really good technical brains, but they lack the kind of exposure that their western counterparts have.
Also, Kenyan universities aren't exactly doing a great job either.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Peter Muchemi Software Developer Electra Software Ltd http://www.software.co.ke +254 722 320986
Peter, even the website itself lack inspiration. And I have always wondered why do people (specially in universities and ministries) feel the irresistible desire to plaster their photo all over websites and newspapers? I even sometimes ago so a ridiculous billboard outside the Ministry of Education with pictures of the former Minister of Education.
@Philip, educational exchange programs would certainly go a long way in exposure. But this is IT,the world is connected. We can start by making skunkworks more global to increase exchange and exposure. Personally while recruiting for organisations I've had to voice my concerns over remuneration (often low) with some clients. IT is the backbone of an organisation and the professionals within the field should be paid accordingly to reflect the global rates. On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
Peter,
even the website itself lack inspiration.
And I have always wondered why do people (specially in universities and ministries) feel the irresistible desire to plaster their photo all over websites and newspapers? I even sometimes ago so a ridiculous billboard outside the Ministry of Education with pictures of the former Minister of Education.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 Work Phone Kenya: 0202012707 LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza
Claude, While in todays' world IT is truly the backbone, there are still an INsignificant number of companies/institutions where I.T. is seen as a "support function". Consequently, I.T. professionals employed by these are paid accordingly (low low low). It'll be a while longer before IT is taken as seriously as it should be. *sigh* MB On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:46 PM, Claude D'souza <claudedsouza1@gmail.com>wrote:
@Philip, educational exchange programs would certainly go a long way in exposure. But this is IT,the world is connected. We can start by making skunkworks more global to increase exchange and exposure. Personally while recruiting for organisations I've had to voice my concerns over remuneration (often low) with some clients. IT is the backbone of an organisation and the professionals within the field should be paid accordingly to reflect the global rates.
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
Peter,
even the website itself lack inspiration.
And I have always wondered why do people (specially in universities and ministries) feel the irresistible desire to plaster their photo all over websites and newspapers? I even sometimes ago so a ridiculous billboard outside the Ministry of Education with pictures of the former Minister of Education.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 Work Phone Kenya: 0202012707 LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza _______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make... -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks peter for that link. seeing my old prof Okello Odongo takes me way back! On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 1:31 PM, MotoBaridi <motobaridi@gmail.com> wrote:
Claude, While in todays' world IT is truly the backbone, there are still an INsignificant number of companies/institutions where I.T. is seen as a "support function". Consequently, I.T. professionals employed by these are paid accordingly (low low low). It'll be a while longer before IT is taken as seriously as it should be.
*sigh*
MB
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:46 PM, Claude D'souza <claudedsouza1@gmail.com>wrote:
@Philip, educational exchange programs would certainly go a long way in exposure. But this is IT,the world is connected. We can start by making skunkworks more global to increase exchange and exposure. Personally while recruiting for organisations I've had to voice my concerns over remuneration (often low) with some clients. IT is the backbone of an organisation and the professionals within the field should be paid accordingly to reflect the global rates.
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
Peter,
even the website itself lack inspiration.
And I have always wondered why do people (specially in universities and ministries) feel the irresistible desire to plaster their photo all over websites and newspapers? I even sometimes ago so a ridiculous billboard outside the Ministry of Education with pictures of the former Minister of Education.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 Work Phone Kenya: 0202012707 LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza _______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
If I may, transitioning from school to the work environment, I realized that what the schools/Institutions emphasized on was was mostly theory and not functional knowledge. You left campus knowing how to create an algorithm to solve any equation and really little or no link to the real world. This causes the fresh graduates to flounder the first couple of days/weeks in their new employ trying to learn how stuff works. Seeing this, potential employers are reluctant to employ fresh graduates and such. On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 1:36 PM, steven maina <ndungustephenm@gmail.com>wrote:
thanks peter for that link. seeing my old prof Okello Odongo takes me way back!
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 1:31 PM, MotoBaridi <motobaridi@gmail.com> wrote:
Claude, While in todays' world IT is truly the backbone, there are still an INsignificant number of companies/institutions where I.T. is seen as a "support function". Consequently, I.T. professionals employed by these are paid accordingly (low low low). It'll be a while longer before IT is taken as seriously as it should be.
*sigh*
MB
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:46 PM, Claude D'souza <claudedsouza1@gmail.com
wrote:
@Philip, educational exchange programs would certainly go a long way in exposure. But this is IT,the world is connected. We can start by making skunkworks more global to increase exchange and exposure. Personally while recruiting for organisations I've had to voice my concerns over remuneration (often low) with some clients. IT is the backbone of an organisation and the professionals within the field should be paid accordingly to reflect the global rates.
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
Peter,
even the website itself lack inspiration.
And I have always wondered why do people (specially in universities and ministries) feel the irresistible desire to plaster their photo all over websites and newspapers? I even sometimes ago so a ridiculous billboard outside the Ministry of Education with pictures of the former Minister of Education.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 Work Phone Kenya: 0202012707 LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza _______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- __________________________________________________________________________ Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity ~Albert Einstein Eva Kimathi
*@ MotoBaridi:* +1 On 15 February 2013 13:31, MotoBaridi <motobaridi@gmail.com> wrote:
Claude, While in todays' world IT is truly the backbone, there are still an INsignificant number of companies/institutions where I.T. is seen as a "support function". Consequently, I.T. professionals employed by these are paid accordingly (low low low). It'll be a while longer before IT is taken as seriously as it should be.
*sigh*
MB
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:46 PM, Claude D'souza <claudedsouza1@gmail.com>wrote:
@Philip, educational exchange programs would certainly go a long way in exposure. But this is IT,the world is connected. We can start by making skunkworks more global to increase exchange and exposure. Personally while recruiting for organisations I've had to voice my concerns over remuneration (often low) with some clients. IT is the backbone of an organisation and the professionals within the field should be paid accordingly to reflect the global rates.
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
Peter,
even the website itself lack inspiration.
And I have always wondered why do people (specially in universities and ministries) feel the irresistible desire to plaster their photo all over websites and newspapers? I even sometimes ago so a ridiculous billboard outside the Ministry of Education with pictures of the former Minister of Education.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Claude A. D'souza Personal Mobile: 0722887311 Work Phone Kenya: 0202012707 LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/claudedsouza _______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- //when i say "honey", i mean the sweet, sticky stuff that bees make...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
Hi Philip. I listened to the director of the research lab and the IBM VP talk about why the company took the decision to set up in Kenya, their decision was based on the potential of Kenya. While your sentiments may be correct to some extent, they are based on the here and now. IBM is looking at the longer term. The investment they are making is massive but I believe the returns will be even bigger. In addition, we are in a developing economy there are numerous problems that can be solved by technology. This presents lots of opportunity to develop new technologies, ideas, IP etc.. I hope this adds to the discussion. We are doing a great job but there is more to be done. Best -- Regards, John Matogo Manager Incubation Centre, @iBizAfrica Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 070 303 4280 (direct line) Personal Mobile:+254 722 813 533 Twitter: @jmatogo LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/avcn7qu Web: www.strathmore.edu and http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/ On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com> wrote:
And so I wonder, apart from public relations, why did they locate their research lab in Nairobi? They could have well had this lab in their Armonk, NY HQ and research will go on since it is not a material intensive venture that has to rely on a specific location.
I believe Kenya has really good technical brains, but they lack the kind of exposure that their western counterparts have.
Also, Kenyan universities aren't exactly doing a great job either.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Note: All emails sent from Strathmore University are subject to Strathmore's Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here<http://www.strathmore.edu/aboutus.php?id=184>to read the policy.
@Matogo In all honesty the potential that you are talking about, I only see as opportunity (for them) - there's a big untapped market for their technologies. That's why the big guys are coming in en masse. I believe that the aim of allowing the big guys to setup shop should also be to build local capacity not just to bring in great tech, otherwise they (IBM et al) will be the only ones scoring big. I agree they might be making massive investments but you know what, the IP, the technologies will still belong to IBM even though they are applied here. So then what happens when say IBM decides to close shop 5-10 years down the line? (Or even if they dont really). No local capacity to replicate the efforts. So technically, we still endup where we were before they came because guess what, the staff that they brought in from the US will most likely decide to go back as well. -Billy 2013/2/15 John Matogo <jmatogo@strathmore.edu>
Hi Philip. I listened to the director of the research lab and the IBM VP talk about why the company took the decision to set up in Kenya, their decision was based on the potential of Kenya. While your sentiments may be correct to some extent, they are based on the here and now. IBM is looking at the longer term. The investment they are making is massive but I believe the returns will be even bigger.
In addition, we are in a developing economy there are numerous problems that can be solved by technology. This presents lots of opportunity to develop new technologies, ideas, IP etc..
I hope this adds to the discussion. We are doing a great job but there is more to be done.
Best -- Regards,
John Matogo Manager Incubation Centre, @iBizAfrica Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 070 303 4280 (direct line) Personal Mobile:+254 722 813 533 Twitter: @jmatogo LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/avcn7qu Web: www.strathmore.edu and http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com>wrote:
And so I wonder, apart from public relations, why did they locate their research lab in Nairobi? They could have well had this lab in their Armonk, NY HQ and research will go on since it is not a material intensive venture that has to rely on a specific location.
I believe Kenya has really good technical brains, but they lack the kind of exposure that their western counterparts have.
Also, Kenyan universities aren't exactly doing a great job either.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
Note: All emails sent from Strathmore University are subject to Strathmore’s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here<http://www.strathmore.edu/aboutus.php?id=184>to read the policy.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
Hi Billy. Good point. And I agree it will only benefit them if we sit by the sidelines and just watch. However there is a lot of opportunity for technology transfer if we work together with the team from IBM. Technology transfer is one of the aims of hosting the lab here too. One quick thing we can pick from this discussion already is why are they not hiring local graduates? Is there something in the American Comp Sci/EE Syllabus that is lacking in our local training institutions' curricula? If there are missing items then we need to incorporate them ASAP. It is easier to learn from the team when they are based in CUEA than if there were based in the US. Cheers! JM On Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 12:26 PM, Billy <billyx5@gmail.com> wrote:
@Matogo
In all honesty the potential that you are talking about, I only see as opportunity (for them) - there's a big untapped market for their technologies. That's why the big guys are coming in en masse.
I believe that the aim of allowing the big guys to setup shop should also be to build local capacity not just to bring in great tech, otherwise they (IBM et al) will be the only ones scoring big. I agree they might be making massive investments but you know what, the IP, the technologies will still belong to IBM even though they are applied here.
So then what happens when say IBM decides to close shop 5-10 years down the line? (Or even if they dont really). No local capacity to replicate the efforts. So technically, we still endup where we were before they came because guess what, the staff that they brought in from the US will most likely decide to go back as well.
-Billy
2013/2/15 John Matogo <jmatogo@strathmore.edu>
Hi Philip. I listened to the director of the research lab and the IBM VP talk about why the company took the decision to set up in Kenya, their decision was based on the potential of Kenya. While your sentiments may be correct to some extent, they are based on the here and now. IBM is looking at the longer term. The investment they are making is massive but I believe the returns will be even bigger.
In addition, we are in a developing economy there are numerous problems that can be solved by technology. This presents lots of opportunity to develop new technologies, ideas, IP etc..
I hope this adds to the discussion. We are doing a great job but there is more to be done.
Best -- Regards,
John Matogo Manager Incubation Centre, @iBizAfrica Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 070 303 4280 (direct line) Personal Mobile:+254 722 813 533 Twitter: @jmatogo LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/avcn7qu Web: www.strathmore.edu and http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com>wrote:
And so I wonder, apart from public relations, why did they locate their research lab in Nairobi? They could have well had this lab in their Armonk, NY HQ and research will go on since it is not a material intensive venture that has to rely on a specific location.
I believe Kenya has really good technical brains, but they lack the kind of exposure that their western counterparts have.
Also, Kenyan universities aren't exactly doing a great job either.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
Note: All emails sent from Strathmore University are subject to Strathmore’s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here<http://www.strathmore.edu/aboutus.php?id=184>to read the policy.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards, John Matogo Manager Incubation Centre, @iBizAfrica Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 070 303 4280 (direct line) Personal Mobile:+254 722 813 533 Twitter: @jmatogo LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/avcn7qu Web: www.strathmore.edu and http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/ -- Note: All emails sent from Strathmore University are subject to Strathmore’s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here<http://www.strathmore.edu/aboutus.php?id=184>to read the policy.
Let us not kid ourselves please. IBM and co. are not here to 'help' Africa in general or Kenya in particular. They are here for the money to be made. The massive investment they claim they are making is a drop in the ocean for their annual budgets at the mother companies. All this talk of potential and next big thing uncannily reminds me of naive girls being tuned by older, mischevious more experienced boys. You should know who is left smiling in the end. I am not anti-american or anti business but romantisizing a business transaction is getting ahead of ourselves. Why should they hire locals other than using cheap labour? What is the value local graduates afford them? N/B I am yet to graduate and I fully expect such an interrogation if I am to walk up to a firm wanting a job. On Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 12:57 PM, John Matogo <jmatogo@strathmore.edu>wrote:
Hi Billy. Good point. And I agree it will only benefit them if we sit by the sidelines and just watch. However there is a lot of opportunity for technology transfer if we work together with the team from IBM. Technology transfer is one of the aims of hosting the lab here too.
One quick thing we can pick from this discussion already is why are they not hiring local graduates? Is there something in the American Comp Sci/EE Syllabus that is lacking in our local training institutions' curricula? If there are missing items then we need to incorporate them ASAP.
It is easier to learn from the team when they are based in CUEA than if there were based in the US.
Cheers!
JM
On Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 12:26 PM, Billy <billyx5@gmail.com> wrote:
@Matogo
In all honesty the potential that you are talking about, I only see as opportunity (for them) - there's a big untapped market for their technologies. That's why the big guys are coming in en masse.
I believe that the aim of allowing the big guys to setup shop should also be to build local capacity not just to bring in great tech, otherwise they (IBM et al) will be the only ones scoring big. I agree they might be making massive investments but you know what, the IP, the technologies will still belong to IBM even though they are applied here.
So then what happens when say IBM decides to close shop 5-10 years down the line? (Or even if they dont really). No local capacity to replicate the efforts. So technically, we still endup where we were before they came because guess what, the staff that they brought in from the US will most likely decide to go back as well.
-Billy
2013/2/15 John Matogo <jmatogo@strathmore.edu>
Hi Philip. I listened to the director of the research lab and the IBM VP talk about why the company took the decision to set up in Kenya, their decision was based on the potential of Kenya. While your sentiments may be correct to some extent, they are based on the here and now. IBM is looking at the longer term. The investment they are making is massive but I believe the returns will be even bigger.
In addition, we are in a developing economy there are numerous problems that can be solved by technology. This presents lots of opportunity to develop new technologies, ideas, IP etc..
I hope this adds to the discussion. We are doing a great job but there is more to be done.
Best -- Regards,
John Matogo Manager Incubation Centre, @iBizAfrica Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 070 303 4280 (direct line) Personal Mobile:+254 722 813 533 Twitter: @jmatogo LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/avcn7qu Web: www.strathmore.edu and http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/
On Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 12:30 PM, Philip Musyoki <pmusyoki@gmail.com>wrote:
And so I wonder, apart from public relations, why did they locate their research lab in Nairobi? They could have well had this lab in their Armonk, NY HQ and research will go on since it is not a material intensive venture that has to rely on a specific location.
I believe Kenya has really good technical brains, but they lack the kind of exposure that their western counterparts have.
Also, Kenyan universities aren't exactly doing a great job either.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
Note: All emails sent from Strathmore University are subject to Strathmore’s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here<http://www.strathmore.edu/aboutus.php?id=184>to read the policy.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards,
John Matogo Manager Incubation Centre, @iBizAfrica Strathmore University P.O. Box 59857-00200 Nairobi, KENYA Tel: +254 070 303 4280 (direct line) Personal Mobile:+254 722 813 533 Twitter: @jmatogo LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/avcn7qu Web: www.strathmore.edu and http://www.ibizafrica.co.ke/
Note: All emails sent from Strathmore University are subject to Strathmore’s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here<http://www.strathmore.edu/aboutus.php?id=184>to read the policy.
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards, Mark Mwangi markmwangi.me.ke
Let us not kid ourselves please.
IBM and co. are not here to 'help' Africa in general or Kenya in particular. They are here for the money to be made. The massive investment they claim they are making is a drop in the ocean for their annual budgets at the mother companies. All this talk of potential and next big thing uncannily reminds me of naive girls being tuned by older, mischevious more experienced boys. You should know who is left smiling in the end.
Of course they are. Why would they do it if there was nothing in it for them? I also point out to you that nowhere do they say they're doing this from an altruistic motive. This does not mean their work will NOT help Kenya or Africa. Profit or gain is not mutually exclusive with societal benefit, in fact, I think you'll find that both are symbiotic.
I am not anti-american or anti business but romantisizing a business transaction is getting ahead of ourselves. Why should they hire locals other than using cheap labour? What is the value local graduates afford them? N/B I am yet to graduate and I fully expect such an interrogation if I am to walk up to a firm wanting a job.
Again, they have not said they're not hiring locals, be it for menial/cheap labour or more senior positions. They are saying they're having a hard time recruiting because they can't find people of the calibre they require. If you have the skills they seek I would bet they would be more than willing to take you on.
participants (11)
-
Billy -
Claude D'souza -
Eva Kimathi -
John Matogo -
Mark Mwangi -
Michael Bullut -
MotoBaridi -
Peter Muchemi -
Philip Musyoki -
rsohan＠gmail.com -
steven maina