News

A selection of archived news from 2006 and 2007

Digital Links help to launch brand new refurbishment centre in Uganda
June 2007

Digital Links' Former CEO David Sogan provided some ceremonial elbow grease at the groundbreaking of this exciting new project, funded by a $110,000 grant from the Ugandan Government. Sogan, who was guest of honour and required to give an impromptu speech to the waiting crowds, is “very excited about what this centre will mean for education and technological advancement in Uganda”.

As well as providing technical support for Schoolnet Uganda’s work helping Ugandan schools bridge the digital divide, the centre will provide training to students in computer maintenance.

The Ugandan Education Secretary, Mr Francis X.K Lubanga, was in attendance, and gave a speech in which he said that education is the “single most important factor in development” and stated his belief that it is “imperative for all teachers and students to become familiar with and accept ICT in every day use”. This is what Digital Links and its donors are working to help Schoolnet Uganda achieve.

                   

Computers for African Schools - First Summit in Nairobi
June 2007

Digital Links is forming an Association of African distribution partners, called Computers for African Schools, to share best practice, skills and content. The Association will agree and implement measurable minimum standards for support, training and maintenance across all members. Working together in this way will also drive forward the plan to extend complete end-of-life recycling to all of Digital Links’ distribution partners, a long and difficult task, but one that Digital links and its partners are committed to achieving.

The Association had their first preliminary summit in Nairobi in June, and members will include organisations from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Sustainable IT Projects
June 2007

Digital Links and Computers for Schools Kenya are continuing to push forward with their mission of promoting and supporting sustainable IT projects in Africa. In partnership with CfSK, Kerryn Krige, Digital Links’ Business and Project Development Manager, presented an incredibly
well-received paper on the topic during the E-learning Conference in Nairobi.

Sir Paul Judge Visits Computers for Schools Kenya
August 2006

In August, Digital Links Chairman, Sir Paul Judge, visited Computers for Schools Kenya, one of Digital Links’ largest distribution partners. Sir Paul visited CfSK during a visit to Nairobi to look at the way the organisation installs, maintains and supports the computers that are donated to Digital Links by UK companies.

Sir Paul said, “I was extremely impressed by the operation and the tight controls which they operate.  It was very good to meet a number of the members of staff and they all displayed tremendous commitment and enthusiasm.”

Sir Paul went on to describe the tour of several schools that he was given by CfSK manager, Tom Musilli.  “The computer installations at Aquinas, Starehe and Nairobi schools were also very impressive with each providing new opportunities for over 600 pupils.  The teachers were clearly very appreciative of the work that CfSK do and gave very positive reports on the way in which they train the staff and then provide a good backup service.”

Sir Paul returned with renewed enthusiasm and several new friends. He went on to say that “I am even clearer about the value of our work and that more UK organisations should let Digital Links take their computers to enable the further expansion of the fantastic work of organisations such as CfSK.”

Sir Paul (middle) in Kenya with two members of CfSK