Caption: Prof. George Magoha, Vice Chancellor, UoN and Mr. Joseph Mucheru, the Google Sub-Saharan Africa Ambassador and Country Manager during the meeting.

The University of Nairobi (UoN) has entered into a partnership agreement with Google Kenya on the Google Apps Supporting Programs (GASP). This was revealed during a meeting presided over by Prof. George Magoha, Vice Chancellor, UoN, to mark the beginning of the GASP programme in the University.

In his remarks, Prof. Magoha welcomed the initiative saying that it was important for institutions of higher learning to embrace technology; he noted that the University is keen on the use of the internet and has been reviewing new approaches to enhancing its infrastructure development.

Mr. Joseph Mucheru, the Google Sub-Saharan Africa Ambassador and Country Manager, said that the company is working towards growing Kenya into an ICT Hub. He said the partnership was timely as UoN will be part of the growth. Universities in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa still face accessibility challenges at the expense of research opportunities and visibility.

GASP is a Google initiative designed to catalyze internet usage and Google Apps adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa universities through the provisioning of Google Apps for Education. The apps include email, document sharing, sites, calendar, and   more.  As part of the partnership, Google will work with UoN   in strengthening its existing ICT services through infrastructure matching grants, provide technical consulting and training for staff and students, as well as increase the University’s web presence via Google sites for student organizations. Google will also give access to a UoN YouTube channel where the University can post relevant videos.

Already Google has provided zero IT infrastructure cost for UoN student email (<http://mail.students.uonbi.ac.ke/> mail.students.uonbi.ac.ke). The platform is fairly active with over 28,000 student email accounts.

In addition the Google Student Ambassadors (GSA) Program, will take a leading role in introducing the University to new Google tools, technologies and creating awareness about Google opportunities for university staff and students.

Present during the meeting was Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Otieno, Director, ICT, Prof. Simeon Mitema, Director, Centre for International Programmes and Links, and Mr. John Wesonga, Technical Program Manager, GASP.