BUGEMA UNIVERSITY - "Advanced Training on African Business Models with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)“ register now

What is Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)?

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is software which can be freely used, modified and distributed. FOSS offers a number of different opportunities. Developers are able to customize, change or add to open source software and join in global open production processes. This can help stimulate local innovation and growth in the IT sector. With FOSS, small and medium-sized IT businesses can create locally adapted IT solutions, independent of foreign software vendors. FOSS allows local value chains to be tapped, instead of forcing customers to rely on foreign software vendors.

Free and Open Source Software technologies are used all over the world. FOSS is often the technology of choice to run servers, networks, or content management systems, but also operating systems such as Linux, or business and office applications such as Open Office. As FOSS is adaptable and does not entail license fees, it is particularly useful when applications need to be adapted to a specific context.

The use of FOSS is spreading – governments and businesses are increasingly employing FOSS. This means that the business market around FOSS solutions is growing. Local businesses, in particular IT-SME can benefit from FOSS as users, but more importantly they can generate business models around FOSS such as offering high-value IT services, software development, training and qualification.
Free and Open Source Software creates business opportunities!

•  Do you view IT as critical driver of your business?

•  Do you want your organisation maximise return on your IT investment?

•  Are you passionate about being an innovator and staying ahead of the competition curve?

Then register for the Advanced Training Course at Bugema University to harness the power of open source to improve or expand your business.

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is a key technology to drive innovation, add local value and create sustainable and affordable ICT-solutions. This 4-day Advanced Training offers practical knowledge on Six African FOSS Business Models for Small and Medium ICT Enterprises, IT Managers, Specialists, Practitioners, University ICT lecturers and interested persons in IT business. The training also provides an opportunity to join a vibrant pan-African community of practitioners working with and supporting Open Source Business in Africa . FOSS technologies offer opportunities particularly for small and medium sized IT enterprises to provide IT services for local IT markets.

Dates: 22 – 25 August, 2010

Venue: Bugema University Tele-Community Centre at main Campus.

Requirements and Fees: Registration is strictly online . Fees will be US$ 100 only (lunch inclusive). Submit your payments on first day or before start of Training.

For all enquiries contact:: Nkambwe Robert
ICT Manager, Bugema University
P.O.Box 6529 Kampala ,
Uganda Office Tel: +256312351400, Mob: +256782887479

MODULES

  

The training is organized by Robert Nkambwe with support by ict@innovation , a joint capacity building programme of FOSSFA (Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa) and InWEnt - Capacity Building International (Germany), funded by OSISA and the German Ministry for Development Cooperation (BMZ).

It is based on ict@innovation's regional course "Advanced African Business Models with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)“ implemented by the two main training partners Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE ) and UNU-MERIT . For more information, see http://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net.

Module 1: Introduction to emerging FOSS Business Models
Module 2: African FOSS Business Models: Case Studies
Module 3: Communicating FOSS
Module 4: Introduction to general FOSS Business Skills
Module 5: FOSS Specific Business Knowledge and Skills
Module 6: FOSS Training

more about this training

Based on the regional course programme on "Advanced African Business Models with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)“ of ict@innovation, which is implemented by FOSSFA and InWEnt with funding from OSISA and the German Ministry for Development Cooperation (BMZ) for ict@innovation.