We have officially launched the iICT design course at the Hackers For Charity Computer Training Center in Jinja, Uganda. On Feb 6th, we started the interviews. This from Anthony:
iheartgo Institute of Creative Technology’s staff and partners have completed their interviews for potential students in preparation for the fast approaching launch on February 10. Applicants completed an oral as well as a written portion to help interviewers get to know them and assess whether they are a fit with the institute. We are excited about the potential for growth and success in achieving their dreams and impacting their surroundings that we saw in each and every interviewee. Though an impressively diverse group–men and women of varying educational and employment backgrounds, ranging from 19 to 29–the uniting factors of passion and desire were clearly present, which was the key characteristic we were looking for. In fact, we were able to fill all 12 open slots. We can’t wait to get going on our journey together over the next 9 months.
He had this update about the first week of class:
We’ve had a great first week here at iICT. By the end of it, students were arriving early to class, sharing their thoughts more during class, and submitting homework assignments through iheartgo’s online portal. One assignment they had was to share some leadership qualities that they believe they should improve upon, and we were impressed by the way so many of them were able to make an objective critique of themselves. We’ve been encouraged and further excited by the prospect of what this group can do.
Melissa, our student care director, also had the privilege of meeting one-on-one with each student outside of class. These meetings will occur monthly in order to track students’ progress and get to know them better. Many of them echoed the sentiment that they continue to be eager to learn more. Although some were initially surprised to be beginning a technology course with a leadership component, all came to the understanding that those working in the up-and-coming field of technology in Uganda have to be leaders if they are to succeed. We’re actually preparing them for a wide-open market—so wide-open that it doesn’t yet exist in Jinja! The students agreed that there is a need here, and that they need to be ready with more than just technology skills in order to fill it.
I’m excited about this class. It really is quite different than our normal topics-based programs. There’s no telling how far these students will go!
