AfLIA Signs MoU for Capacity building in software development
SEPTEMBER 12, 2020
AfLIA recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mentors Without Borders(MWB), a group of passionate professionals who are helping underprivileged young people become passionate professionals themselves. With mentors who are mostly professional computer programmers from more than 15 countries, MWB is collaborating with AfLIA to train young librarians in web development, mobile development or artificial intelligence/machine learning.
The young librarians will learn and practice under the direct supervision of software development experts. They are expected to develop skills in HTML, CSS, Javascript, C++, Java, Python, Kotlin or Swift. Furthermore, they will learn database skills, agile software development practices and test-driven development principles. These skills will equip them to pursue successful careers as software developers within the library sector. In order to achieve this, MWB will also teach the young librarians how to develop the necessary drive and perseverance to achieve their goals related to software development.
This thrust by AfLIA is critical considering the noted need for African Librarians to gain more IT skills to meet the heightened demands on information professionals as teaching, learning and all manners of engagement migrate online. Also, demographics show that Africa has a definite young bulge with rising unemployment figures. Thus, equipping young librarians with IT skills will open up more pathways of employment opportunities in African Library sector.
Cohort 1
The Opening Session for Cohort 1 of the programme which is meant to run for not more than 4months, took place on Saturday 12th September, 2020. The Cohort is made up of ten (10) young people. Participants were drawn from National Library Associations in Africa who had been requested by AfLIA to nominate young unemployed, vibrant librarians or those already working who have shown promise/interest in IT related matters. The participants are;
| Participants’ Name | Country | |
| 1 | Elangwe Bob Maurice Mboh | Cameroon |
| 2 | Yentiwe Mamba | eSwatini |
| 3 | Gloria Amnkwah | Ghana |
| 4 | Samuel Babbington Norteye | Ghana |
| 5 | Joesph Ojoboh | Nigeria |
| 6 | Godwin Abedoh | Nigeria |
| 7 | Rebecca Namatovu | Uganda |
| 8 | Janet Kaulu | Zambia |
| 9 | Saviour Mubanga | Zambia |
| 10 | Makhosazana Mackina | Zimbabwe |
During the Opening session on Zoom, Edmond Pruteanu and Ritik Dua of MWB helped the participants to understand what to expect within the 3-4 months of the programme and what their obligations are as pertains to completing assignments and attending all the training sessions.
It is expected that Cohort 2 of the programme will take off in January, 2021.