Makangale SATELLITE

Rwanda's technology revolution helps country forge new path after genocide

Makangale SATELLITE 5:08:00 AM Technology

rwandan woman checks her mobile phone while walking up a slope

Mobile phones have transformed many Rwandans' lives

Returning to Rwanda after an absence of several years, the BBC's Milton Nkosi finds a country which has undergone astonishing technological change.

The Rwandan capital Kigali was a hive of activity this week as the city hosted the World Economic Forum on Africa.
The land of a thousand hills is shaking off its negative image as a country forever linked with the 1994 genocide, in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed.
It is breaking old stereotypes not just about itself but also as an African nation.

An Argentinean company set up this factory making computers

Foreign business owners are attracted by Rwanda's cheap, skilled labour market

The technology and innovation projects dotted all around this city are generating a new, positive narrative, led by a new generation of young entrepreneurs, bursting with great ideas.

In the Kigali suburb of Gikondo, I caught the number 205 bus for the city centre, paying the fare with a quick tap of my pre-paid smart card.

Commuters along the route boarded the bus quickly and easily, taking advantage of the new cashless payment system.

There were no delays or arguments about change, the kind you are almost guaranteed to encounter when taking public transport in many other African cities.

The modern bus was fitted with a TV at the front, which played out music videos for those not already texting or making calls on their mobiles.

On the outskirts of Kigali, I visit the assembly plant for a Latin American computer company, another example of the country's technological progress and attractiveness to foreign investors.

As I walk into Positivo GBH in Kigali's Gasabo neighbourhood, I see a clean white factory floor, a laboratory-like space measuring 3,000 sq ft.Young Rwandans are working on the assembly line building computers.I ask the Juan Ignacio Ponelli, the Argentinean involved in the decision to establish the company's first African office here: "Why Rwanda?""Why not?" he replies, with a confident smile."We had been talking to different African countries but I have to say Rwanda moved fast. They have a strong anti-corruption drive and the country has been growing at about 8% per annum for the last few years.

Back in the centre of Kigali, I visit FabLab, an innovation hub at the government-backed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) park, which is expected to receive $150m (£105m) of investment.

3D printers are among the emerging technologies being promoted at the ICT park

There I met young tech entrepreneurs working on 3D and laser printers.
Amongst them a familiar face is being shown around the room. Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister and the patron of the Africa Governance Initiative.

"What they are doing here is not just incubating technology firms but seeing how the latest developments in technology can help revolutionise the rest of the economy," he tells me.
Shikama Dioscore, the founder and CEO of Go Ltd, a mobile app development company, shares the former UK leader's optimism:

"We are excited about empowering the youth, especially in technology," he says.
But it's not all smooth sailing. One of the key challenges is the country's low internet penetration.
According to the most recent figures, 13% of Rwandans are online. But the government has published ambitious plans to increase that to 95% by the end of 2016, with the planned rollout of a 4G mobile network.

As Anne Jellema, chief executive of the Web Foundation, which is working to extend the "basic right" of connectivity to people across the world, tells me:
"Everyone deserves to be connected to fast, affordable, safe and transparent Internet. Nowhere is this need more urgent that it is here in Africa, where four in five people remain offline today."

Jump media player

Media player help

Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.

International Scholarships in Russia, at the Ural Federal University, 2016

Makangale SATELLITE 4:59:00 AM Scholarships

Deadline: 30 June, 2016

Ural Federal University is accepting applications for “Golden” Scholarship Program for September 2016 intake. There are up to 75 fully funded scholarships for international students to study any master or PhD degree program.

The mission of Ural Federal University is increasing competitiveness, re-industrialization, the formation of human, scientific and technological potential, sustainable modernization of traditional economy branches and development of postindustrial economy branches of the Ural Federal District.

Ural Federal University (UrFU) is one of the largest higher educational institutions in Russia bringing together fundamental education and innovative approach towards the challenges of modern times.
Applicants must have good knowledge of English and Russian language.

Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing full-time master or PhD degree program (taught in English or Russian).

Study Subject: Scholarships are awarded to study any of subjects offered by the university.

Scholarship Award: International students are awarded full tuition waivers for the whole period of their master studies. During the studies, the students will also be able to receive the regular monthly scholarship from the university (based on their academic performance).

Scholarship can be taken at: Russia
Eligibility: International students applying for a master degree program or PhD program, taught in English or Russian offered at Ural Federal University. Current UrFU international students are not eligible to apply.
Nationality: International students can apply for these scholarships.
College Admission Requirement
Entrance Requirement:

For Graduate Program, applicants need to have a bachelor or specialist degree.
For Doctoral Programme: Master’s degree in a field related to the field of Doctoral Studies, B2 level of English or Russian and Interview.

Test Requirement: No

English Language Requirement: Applicants must have good knowledge of English and Russian language.

Supporting Material: The list of the documents for Golden Scholarship application:
-Filled-in application form with a color photo of an applicant attached
-Copies of the documents of the prior education with a diploma supplement including a list of records and marks. Documents of the prior education must bear a legalization stamp.
-Copy of the official medical certificate, confirming that there are no precautions for a student to study in Russia
-Copy of the official medical certificate with the negative result of the HRV|AIDS test
-Copy of the official medical certificate with positive results of compulsory medical check-up
-A copy of the passport pages of an applicant. The passport shall be valid at least within 18 months after the applicant’s date of arrival in Russia.
-Notarized translation of documents, indicated in paragraphs 2, 3 and 5 of the list.
-Translation of the 1st passport page into Russian with a notarial attestation.

How to Apply: According to the new procedure, an UrFU Golden Scholarship applicant must perform the following steps to apply:
-Register at the official website of Foreign National Enrollment for Study in Russian Federation
-Attach a list of scanned documents after completing the registration
-Pass a competitive selection in their country, conducted by respective Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo
-In application form applicants must indicate Ural Federal University as a top priority.

Application Form
Application Deadline: The application deadline is 30th June 2016.

Scholarship Link

Swissport yajenga bohari ya kisasa Afrika iliyogharimu shilingi bilioni 26 za kitanzania

Makangale SATELLITE 10:04:00 AM Habari

Lengo ni kuboresha huduma zake kwenye kiwanja cha ndege Mwalimu Nyerere Dar es Salaam.

Na Mwandishi Wetu

Baadhi ya wafanyakazi wa swissport wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja baada ya kampuni hiyo kupata cheti ubora wa utoaji wa huduma za kupakua na kupakia mizigo nchini iliyotolewa na shirika la kimataifa la usalama wa utoaji wa huduma za ndege

Swissport Tanzania Plc, ambayo ni kampuni inayoongoza kwa kutoa huduma bora za kupakia na kupakua mizigo na kuhudumia abiria duniani, imeboresha huduma zake baada ya kujenga bohari ya kwanza ya kisasa katika bara la Afrika iliyogharimu shilingi bilioni 26 za kitanzania.

Afisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Swissport Tanzania, Bw Gaudence Temu jinsi sehemu ya kutolea mizigo ya ndani inavyofanya kazi kwa ufanisi katika jengo hilo jipya la kisasa

“Matarajio ya ukuaji wa huduma za usafirishaji kwa ndege yatakuwa ni ndoto kama hakuna huduma bora za kupakia na kupakua mizigo nchini,” alisema Ofisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Swissport Bw Gaudence Temu wakati wa ziara ya waandishi wa habari walipotembea ofisi za Swissport zilizopo Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Mwalimu Nyerere Dar es Salaam.

Sekta ya usafiri wa anga ni nyeti, ambayo uwepo na ukuaji wake unategemea huduma zinazoaminika—kama vile pamoja na mambo mengine utunzaji na usimamizi wa mizigo, bohari, utunzaji na usimamizi wa barua, utunzaji wa nyaraka zinazohusu mizigo iliyopakiwa au kupakuliwa.

Bw Temu alisema kwamba uzinduzi rasmi wa jengo hilo jipya la kuhudumia mizigo inayoingia na kutoka nchini litazinduliwa rasmi mwezi ujao baada ya ujenzi wake wote kukamilika rasmi.

Alisema kwamba kampuni hiyo Swissport ni ya kimataifa ambayo inatoa huduma zake kwa takribani nchini 58 duniani kwa kiwango cha ubora wa kimataifa ya kusafirisha, kuhifadhi na kupokea mizigo ya aina zote na bidhaa mbalimbali.

Bw Temu aliongeza kwamba kitengo cha bohari ya kupakia mizigo kimetengenezwa kwa teknolojia ya juu kabisa katika kuhakikisha ufanisi na uharakishaji wa upakiaji mizigo ambapo kinaweza kupakia tani 30 kwa siku.

Kwa kutambua umuhimu wa huduma Kampuni ya Swissport inayotoa, Bw Temu alisema: “Tumeamua kuboresha huduma zetu za kupakia na kupakua mizigo…kwa kweli, hizi ni nguzo muhimu kwa ukuaji endelevu wa hii sekta nchini Tanzania.”

Akielezea uboreshaji ambao umefanyika, Bw Temu alisema kwa sasa chumba maalum cha baridi cha Swissport kimepanuliwa kwa kuongeza huduma mpya kama vile mfumo wa ukaguzi wa mizigo ndani ya chumba chenye mitambo maalum. Alisema “chumba hiki maalum kimegawanywa katika maeneo mawili: eneo moja lina ukubwa wa mita 200 za mraba na lingine ni mita 100 za mraba.”

Akifafanua zaidi, ofisa mkuu huyo wa Swissport alisema kampuni yao imefunga mizani ya futi 20 katika eneo lao kwa kutoa huduma kulingana na mahitaji ya shirika la ndege husika.

Kwa upande wa kuhifadhi mizigo, kampuni ya Swissport imejenga bohari ya kisasa na salama na inayoweza kufiwa kwa urahisi. Imefungwa mitambo maalum ya CCTV na ya ukaguzi wa magari. Pamoja na mambo mengine, bohari hii ina vifaa maalum kwa ajili ya ukaguzi, uangalizi na utunzaji salama wa mizigo.

Uboreshaji uliofanywa hivi karibuni umefanywa kwa lengo la kuisaidia serikali katika jitihada zake za kuboresha huduma za usafiri wa ndege, ambao ni muhimu sana katika kukuza uchumi wa nchi na kuboresha huduma za kijamii na kiuchumi za ustawi wa mamilioni ya Watanzania, kwa mujibu wa Meneja Mikataba na Masoko-Swissport, Bw James Mhagama.

“Haiwezekani kwa sekta ya usafiri wa anga ya nchi yoyote ile kukua kama hakuna uboreshaji wa huduma zake,” alisema mtaalam wa vyombo vya anga Bw Andrew Msechu.

Shirika la Swissport kwa hapa Tanzania linatoa huduma kwa mashirika ya ndege yafuatayo—Shirika la Ndege Tanzania (Air Tanzania), Shirika la Ndege la Misri (Egypt Air), Emirates, Shirika la Ndege la Ethiopia (Ethiopian Airlines), EWA Air, Fly Dubai, Shirika la Ndege la Kenya (Kenya Airways), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LAM-Linhas Aereas de Mocambique, Shirika la Ndege la Malawi (Malawian Airlines) na Shirika la Ndege la Oman (Oman Air),

Mashirika mengine ni Shirika la Ndege la Qatar (Qatar Airways), Shirika la Ndege la Rwanda (Rwandair Express), Shirika la Ndege la Afrika Kusini (SAA-South African Airways), Shirika la Ndege la Kimataifa la Uswisi (Swiss International Air Lines) na Shirika la Ndege la Uturuki (Turkish Airlines).

Mwisho