Category Archives: education

The Chinese are Here III

Monday saw the launch of a Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi. This is part of a plan by the governments of China and Kenya to further teaching of Chinese languages and this will be through a special certificate course offered by the UoN’s department of linguistics, which is currently accepting applications for classes beginning in May 2006.

China is currently the fastest growing destination for American foreign exchange students – “China is a job market, twenty years ago only those interested in Chinese literature would study Chinese language. Now all professions have opened up.”. There are 120 schools in 16 African countries that are serving over 8,000 Africans learning the language.

(Corrected) B-School Kenya info

Stanford MBA information session
Tuesday, 11 October 2005 18:00–20:00
Nairobi Hilton Hotel

Spend an evening learning about the MBA Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. During the information session, you will get an overview of the program from an admissions officer, hear insights on the MBA experience from alumni, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Seating is limited, so please register online.

Thanks to Okomboli Ong’ong’a, MBA candidate, class of 2006, Stanford graduate school of business, for the correction.

StrathmoreAlumni Reunion Weekend
Strathmore University Alumni include all past students of (the former) Kianda College, of (the former) Strathmore College, and of Strathmore University who have completed a programme of study for the award of a degree, diploma or certificate.

Friday, 7th October 2005
Venue Hilton Hotel Ballroom
7pm – 10pm Arrival & Registration Dinner
Keynote Speech Prof. Paul Manasseh Nshuti, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, Republic of Rwanda (former Lecturer, Strathmore College)
Closing Speech George Njenga, Director, Strathmore Business School
Tickets Single: Kshs. 1,500 Couple: Kshs. 2,500
Dress Code Formal

Saturday, 8th October 2005
Venue Strathmore Auditorium, Phase II
9.00am Arrival & Ongoing Registration
9.30am University Campus tour (ongoing)
Video (ongoing)
10.30am Tea and socialising
11.30am – 12.30pm “Strathmore University in the 21st Century”, Professor John Odhiambo, Vice Chancellor
12.45pm – 2.30pm Lunch
Photo Session
Entertainment: University Choir
2.30pm – 4.30pm Visits to Strathmore Asili and Kianda School
Departure and tour for Strathmore “Asili” Lavington Campus
Departure and tour for Kianda School (formerly Kianda College)
Sports for Alumni and Activities for children – including basketball, hockey, soccer, volleyball
3.00pm – 4.00pm Lecture by Dr Davy Koech, Chairman, Kenya Medical Research Institute
4.30pm Strathmore Alumni Association – Class Representatives Council Meeting
4.45pm – 6pm Refreshments with former classmates and former teachers
Tickets Single: Kshs. 1,500 Couple/Family: Kshs. 3,000
Dress Code Smart Casual
Special Rates (Combined Tickets for Friday and Saturday)
Single: Kshs. 2,500
Couple/Family: Kshs. 5,000

Newsy Kenyans

  • Noble work = Nobel Prize?: The Christian Science Monitor commends Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo for heading the Sudan peace talks.
  • Cash Money Brothers: Two Kenyan brothers could earn in 1.6 billion shillings when they float shares of their 12 year old community service company in the UK.
  • Girl tribes: The Washington Post looks at tribalism/the tribe factor at a girls school in Kenya.
  • Diplo-jack: A few days after the new Danish ambassador was invited to interact with Kenyans, he met the car-jacking type, but was otherwise unharmed.
  • Absa Coming: As the Barclays-Absa merger continues into its next phase, Absa is expected to buy up Barclays operations in Kenya and other African countries over the next two years. Currently, Barclays parent owns 68.5% Barclays Kenya, valued at 33 billion shillings ($450 million).

TASK Launch

I went for the official launch of The Actuarial Society of Kenya (TASK) at 6 PM at the Hilton on Thursday.

Rare Air
One thing about actuaries is that they are among the brightest people in the world. I only know two people in the profession – one is my (very wealthy) landlord and another is a classmate of mine from primary school who rarely finished below no. 1 in class (tops in all subjects except Kiswahili for 8 years).

There are only 5 qualified practicing actuaries in Kenya, but they expect to have ten by next year. There are also about 600 Kenyan students taking actuarial sciences studies in Kenya and abroad. JKUAT and the University of Nairobi both have programs and some of their students attended the cocktail – and Kenya is the only country in East & Central Africa that offers actuarial study programs. Most of the guests were sharp and well dressed, like some over-grown (or ex) Strathmore boys & girls.

The Hilton
Society officials said that revival of the Society had been planned over a four-month period, but planning for the event had taken only ten days – leading to the selection of the Hilton. This is only the second cocktail event I have attended at the Hilton. After registration, guests lined up for a complementary drink – soda or juice. At other Hotels, the complementary drink could be anything, and many guests use that as an opportunity to order the largest, most potent drink that can think of, as they don’t intend to pay for anything afterwards. Today there was a stocked bar next to the soda/juice table, with a bartender and cash register at the ready. My glass of juice tasted, and smelt of the can it no doubt came from. Still I sipped it all evening, as a second glass would have cost 180 shillings ($2.40). Also notice how there’s no air conditioning in the building, leading to more drink sales to thirsty guests.

The Event
– The Society’s motto is “turning risk into opportunities”
– One task the Society needs to do is update Kenya’s mortality (life expectancy) tables: The country still uses UK tables from the 1940’s
– The Chairman of the Society explained that the Society will seek to create awareness for the profession: actuaries are not just needed at pension and insurance firms, but by all large corporations and especially in the government.
– Will seek to come up with a Kenyan exam for actuaries
– You can e-mail the Society at actuaries@kenya.com

Kenya’s Growth Rate
Minister Nyongo announced that he will lead a statistical briefing session on Thursday next week (June 23) where statisticians will explain how Kenya’s controversial 4.3% growth rate was arrived at.

No Wi Fi
On the internet the Hilton is listed as one of two Wi Fi locations (i.e. with wireless 802.11b Internet access) in Kenya, the other being Jomo Kenyatta Airport. However, Hotel staff say it is not yet available.

WSK?
And why not convert Kenyans Unlimited into the Weblog Society of Kenya.