The final day of training at SJMC

Generally the training was good. It helped me to get new things on how I can use the internet and especially in teaching and learning purposes. All sessions from the first day were interesting and frankly speaking I liked most of the things.

About the research assignment I did, I got some experiences on how to search for something through the use the internet. 

I am planning to use some techniques in teaching my students on how they can search for some facts through the internet. Moreover, the training has helped me as a tutor to have general knowledge of how I can even search materials via the internet. 

Thanks for the organizers 

Smart Kigali initative enhances free internet in the City

By Vincent Mpepo

Kigali residents have started enjoying the free internet services as a result of Huge Development in ICT which came into existence as the efforts of private partnership; internet service providers and the government.

According to AllAfrica.com-Sep 23, 2014 since launching of the programme in September 20 grants free wi-fi access has been placed in the city and especially in restaurants, King Faisa hospital, Nyabango Tax Park, commercial buildings and public buses.

Other areas within Kigali, which have the free public Wi-Fi, include the Kigali City Tower, Union Trade Center, Remera-Kisementi, Stade Amahoro, Kigali Public Library, KBC, Airport, KIE, Kacyiru Ministere and KIST among others.

Collectively, internet providers Tigo and Airtel, the City of Kigali, the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency made the project possible.

According to The New Times part of the ‘Smart Kigali’ initiative aims to allow visitors and tourists easy access to city landmarks and mapping while being able to utilize convenience services on the web.

Wi-fi signals and hotspots were installed based on the amount of people who frequent an area. A listing of internet accessible buildings and locations was issued, the report said, prior to the launch.

The Minister of Youth and ICT Jean Philbert Nsengimana said the initiative will boast trade and information exchange as it will accelerate growth of economy of country.

“Broadband is there to fast track business, information exchange, information generation and consumption; it’s a foundation of a knowledge economy. I expect this to accelerate out mover from agriculture based economy to a knowledge based economy”, said the minister.

Smart Kigali Initiative includes MTN Rwanda, AIRTEL, ISPA, TIGO Rwanda Ltd, BSC Ltd and LIQUID Telecom.

 Though ‘Smart Kigali’ is largely a government effort to push ICT development further, the UN’s Broadband Commission for Digital Development 2013 report revealed that only eight percent of the country’s citizens use the internet on a regular basis.

The Smart Kigali initiative launched in Rwanda’s capital city will allow residents to access free wireless internet connectivity at designated places.

Second Day of Training at SJMC

As part and parcel of the training, the second day at SJMC was also good whereby journalism lecturers were taught a lot about the internet. Among other things, I have learnt about the challenges in the new era of communication through the internet. Some challenges are digital divide, cultural imperialism, plagiarism, unsocial impacts whereby much more time is nowadays spent on the internet regardless of what is done whether for positive or negative effect.

 

What like most of the training specifically on the topic of using internet as a tool for journalistic activities. It can   be used as a source of information, for facts checking as well as well searching for people. Moreover, I have learnt about international news in Africa including IPS, ALLAFRICA and others. Lastly, I have learnt how internet can be used as a tool for journalistic research. I learnt about the searching tips.

First Day Training