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Bridgetti Lim Banda's Discussions
New Group Announcement: Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Network
Started Aug. 6, 2008
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- What is the name of your company or organisation?
- I co-ordinate and manage the following Forums: CIO/Academic Forum - Enterprise Architecture Forum - SAP UAP (Africa) Forum - Black Economic Empowerment Network
- What is your position in your company or organisation?
- Managed Social Network Marketer
- What does your company of organisation do?
- We are a network across universities driven by academics within the various faculties and departments.
Why the Academic Forums can become powerful enablers for transformation?
Academia is at the centre of developing trends. While many university computer science, information technology, information systems and software engineering faculties and departments are experiencing a decline in enrolment, there is a growth in the number of B.Comm students doing information systems at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). This could be an indicator that students from previously disadvantaged communities who could not gain access to information technology and innovation want to take advantage of the this opportunity.
However, there is a gap between universities and industry that needs to be bridged by academics and IT professionals as individuals and as a community of practitioners. This requires a sustained programme of networking and developing specific areas of interest associated with this academic-industry channel. The industry is continually broadening and teh knowledge domain increasingly complex so the focus must be more direct in terms of the target audience rather than trying to target a broad audience.
Thus our efforts are focused on the following stakeholders:
a. Academics:
There is a need to increase collaboration and create a non-competitive environment especially since a holistic and integrated approach is required. Universities must avoid the negative impact of current trends and legislation which includes becoming silos.
b. Chief Information Officers:
CIOs as the leaders and employers representing IT in the enterprise are critical stakeholders who are also under increased pressure to deliver and gain qualification. The lack of management skills in IT is impeding service delivery in both public and private sectors.
c. Enterprise and Software Architects:
Architects as system thinkers are the higher level order of thinking that is differentiating the Business-IT professional with strong business and technology competencies. However, there is a lack of African people and reference models. We are still reliant on western models, thinking and people. The hybrid and complex nature of both business and technology means we need individuals who are not biased by a specific technology but can work across industries and technology platforms such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SAP, Open Source and other technologies. Since social innovation is driving the internet and open source communities, we also need to elevate this practice to social architecture and the development of the social enterprise.
d. Students, Graduates and Interns:
We are developing our processes and systems for managing the output of graduates and entry process into the market. This is a vital part of the initiative to ensure we grow not only quantity but quality professionals. A substantial amount of work is required here which without the support of academics will not succeed.
e. IT Professionals:
We are attracting and drawing the attention of IT professionals and individuals who are keen to make a difference and to grow. They are able to make use of this network and to stay close to what is happening in academia and even be involved in either acquiring further skills and training, conducting research, lecturing or participating in our programs such as mentorships.
What is our roadmap ...
1. Forums and Community
We are developing CIO, EA, SAP and other communities of practice through business and
social network, communication and events driven to bridge the gaps between academia and industry.
2. African Enterprise Architecture and the CIO Conferences
Workshop style conference to increase capacity of African EAs or Business-IT Architects.
Also encourage research and development in architecting the African Enterprise as opposed to merely
adopting Western Models. We are also going to organize a CIO Conference to consolidate the CIO forum as an annual event.
3. CIO Leadership Programme, Graduate and Internship Programs
Mentorship of young students and graduates.
4. CIO Institute, EA Centre and Skills Academy in the Western Cape
Consolidate and integrate skills development program across the 4 Universities in the Western Cape
5. CIO and IT Qualification, Certification and Chartered Professional Accreditation
Working with industry partners like SAP, Oracle, Microsoft and Open Source Communities to support qualifications (degree programmes) with certifications. We will also be seeking to introduce a standardised charted professional program to provide industry accreditation through cooperation between universities, industry partners and government.
- In which African countries does your company or organisation operate?
- South Africa
- What is your website?
- http://www.linkedin.com/in/cioforum
Bridgetti Lim Banda's Blog
Agile vs Waterfall
At our last CIO Breakfast Forum for 2008 in November we presented and discussed Agile Practice. We specifically looked at the use of the Scrum project management methodology and a practical implementation in an enterprise. There was a lively discussion and unfortunately we went over our usual time limit. This looks like a topic that may evolve into other conversations.
A Certified Scrum Master (CSM) discussed and presented Scrum and highlighted some of the differences between the agile project… Continue
A Certified Scrum Master (CSM) discussed and presented Scrum and highlighted some of the differences between the agile project… Continue
Posted on January 6, 2009 at 5:26pm —
CIO Research Centre for Western Cape
As part of the CIO Forum program for 2009, we are extending our focus towards establishing an independent applied research centre to facilitate projects that bridge the gap between academia and commercial enterprises. We intend working closely with the four universities in the Western Cape and all faculties and departments where the academic program is relevant to Information Technology and Communication (ICT).
We believe there is a need for a research centre that can help address and promote t… Continue
We believe there is a need for a research centre that can help address and promote t… Continue
Posted on January 6, 2009 at 5:23pm —
A CIO Research Centre in the Western Cape
As part of the CIO Forum program for 2009, we are extending our focus towards establishing an independent applied research centre to facilitate projects that bridge the gap between academia and commercial enterprises. We intend working closely with the four universities in the Western Cape and all faculties and departments where the academic program is relevant to Information Technology and Communication (ICT).
We believe there is a need for a research centre that can help address and promote t… Continue
We believe there is a need for a research centre that can help address and promote t… Continue
Posted on January 6, 2009 at 5:21pm —
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