Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Ngumi (left), and the ICT Authority Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Katherine Getao put pen to paper at the signing ceremony.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has entered into a framework contract with the government to supply laptops to public primary schools under the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) for a period of three years.
This follows the University’s successful bid after an open tender for “Supply, Deliver, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of Goods and Services for the Digital Literacy Programme in Public Primary Schools in Kenya” that was floated on November 26, 2019.
Unlike Phase I of the tender, the DLP Phase II entered between JKUAT and the ICT Authority on behalf of the Government will be discharged based on orders placed as, and when required, based on the availability of funds.
Following the successful bid, the ICT Authority notified JKUAT of the approval of the tender proposal for Lot 2, which comprises of 21 counties. These are; Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Garissa, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Tharaka – Nithi, Wajir, Nyeri, Embu, Nyandarua, Mandera, Nairobi City, Baringo, Murang’a, Kiambu, Kericho, Meru, Nakuru, Machakos and Kajiado.
The signing ceremony was held at the Authority’s headquarters in Nairobi Tuesday June 30, 2020, between the ICT Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Katherine Getao and JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof Victoria Wambui Ngumi. Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor thanked the government for once again expressing unreserved vote of confidence and settling on JKUAT as the preferred technology partner.
“As a University premised on Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, we are keen on establishing more of such strategic industry collaborations, because it is a sure path towards ensuring we deliver tangible impact in the development of our country and society at large. This partnership therefore serves not just as a confirmation of our capability, but also as a significant impetus for us to keep our innovation momentum as a center of excellence in technology transfer,” she concluded.
Prof. Ngumi (second left) exchanges documents with Dr. Getao after the signing. Witnessing the same is Prof. Kwanza (left), and ICT Authority’s Mr. Rono
In 2016, JKUAT won the first phase of the Digital Literacy Programme, which consequently saw the University successfully supply, install and commission the digital learning solution in 21 counties. The University also trained over 4,000 primary school teachers on the implementation of DLP, and runs a call center solely dedicated to supporting the teachers on any challenges they experience with the solution.
Present during the ceremony were ICT Authority’s Director, Programmes and Standards, Mr. Paul Rono Kiprono, JKUAT’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance), Prof. Jackson Kwanza, Chief Legal Officer Ms. Vivian Nyambura, and the Director JKUAT Industrial Park, Dr. Kibet.