The New Wave: Students Empowering Each Other Across Continents Solomon Assefa

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative What is MIT-AITI? A student run initiative at MIT MIT students sent to Africa during Summer Goals: i. Increase utilization of IT in African high schools and universities ii. Develop a long-term technical and cultural friendship between MIT and African Institutions iii. Provide MIT students with community service opportunities to implement their strong engineering background

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative How is MIT-AITI run? Student run: unique, dynamic, creative, always evolving direct input from MIT students who travel Tasks designated to different committees: Logistics Publicity Selection Curriculum Program excellence Fund raising

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Fall: Fund Raising Winter/Spring: Execute Logistics Summer: Execute Program Summer/Fall: Evaluate execution and impact The ‘Four Seasons’

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative History of MIT-AITI Achimota, Presec Alliance, Strathmore GHANA KENYA 2002 StrathmoreKENYA2001 SCHOOLSCOUNTRYYEAR 2000KENYAStrathmore ($17,000) ($50,000)

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative ’00 - ’02: Learning Model “Classroom” Learning Morning lectures by MIT students Afternoon lab sessions Exams, class projects, feedback from students Invited guest talks by local entrepreneurs # of MIT students 4414 # of African Students # of African Teachers 5510

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Implementation The courses are taught by MIT students who are selected from all disciplines in MIT. The courses are offered over the summer period for a period of 6 weeks. High demand at MIT: receive over 100 applications each year High demand in Africa: many want to enroll

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Program content AITI offers courses in JAVA, Java Server Pages(JSP), ASP.NET (cutting edge) and LINUX (free operating system) The African schools choose from our menu of courses Students take exams and implement community based projects

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative ‘03: Change and Expansion Learning Models: Ethiopia: “Classroom” Learning and Entrepreneurship Ghana: “Classroom” Learning Kenya: “Self” Learning Expansion: KenyaGhanaEthiopia # of MIT students 297 # of African Students # of African Teachers 254

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Learning Process Cooperation: Study together Teach each other Practice: Lab sessions Solving problems Novel Resources: MIT-OCW; online Books and CDs “Self” Learning Model Support African lab coordinator/lecturer exchange with MIT students Evaluation daily homework, weekly quizzes Final project/internship

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Other Activities Entrepreneurship lectures conducted in Ethiopia: Gave visibility to the program Liked by all participants (guests as well as students) AIDS awareness initiative in Ghana Brochures, open discussions Talks on how to apply to US colleges What exams to take, how to find on-line resources Inspire: You can be successful; You can empower yourself and change the future; being proactive

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative ‘04: Advanced Model Continue “classroom” learning Select 50 students per country “Self” learning implement in all three countries involve 1 African professor from each school: give a few “practical lectures”, work with students 2 MIT students working with students and professor 20 African students per country Entrepreneurship lectures implement in all three countries guest lectures by local entrepreneurs conduct a business plan competition Concentrate on universities (tertiary education) Actively seek for local internships for AITI graduates

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Impact: MIT Unique experience for MIT students in a new culture Fostered the concept of “community service” and group collaboration by utilizing technical background Enhanced MIT’s involvement in providing novel solutions for bridging the gap between developed and developing nations MIT’s name has been mentioned in many African newspapers and other media outlets created goodwill for further collaboration with African institutions Increased awareness of MIT community about Africa dispelling stereotypical images

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative "One of the most culturally enriching, fun-filled, educational and productive trips I have ever been to. AITI enabled us to teach useful skills to Ghanaian students, while learning a lot about the local people and their way of life. Ghanaians are simply one of the friendliest and most beautiful people I have ever met. An AITI trip is a great service opportunity that complements the MIT experience." increasing # of applications increased student involvement in the organization feedback from MIT offices Testimonials Impact Evaluation: MIT

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Impact: Africa Over the last three years AITI has taught over 500 students and 30 teachers Introduced cutting edge technology (eg. ASP.net), and promote open software (eg. Linux) Local community based websites initiated

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Impact: Africa Students got jobs in local IT industry Utilizing novel learning models Inspired high school alumni initiatives Inspired African universities to actively seek collaboration with US universities

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Impact MIT students enable African students with the latest advanced IT tools African students enrich MIT students with a deep understanding of unique cultures and communities A new wave where students in different continents empower each other

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Future Prospects Strengthen AITI in Kenya, Ghana, & Ethiopia Would like to expand to two more countries Wishful thinking: would like to get $500,000 to fund AITI projects over the next five years

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Program Sponsorship Mentors: Professor Paul Gray Professor Richard Larson Foundations Engineering Information Foundation (EIF) Lord Foundation Government Educational Development Center (EDC) Companies Africa Online, 3Com Private Kate and Baty Gordon, Professor Paul Gray

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Support from MIT Office of the president and the provost Office of the chancellor Graduate Students Office Edgerton Center Public Service Center (PSC) Academic Computing Service

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Implementation of world class tertiary education in developing countries leveraging internet (e- learning), television, and radio technologies Bring together professionals whose primary concern is quality tertiary e-learning in developing countries 2004: creating and sustaining “learning communities” Goals of LINC

© 2003 MIT-Africa Internet Technology Initiative Summary: Link to LINC MIT-AITI: a successful, scalable, flexible, and sustainable model; a model for other similar initiatives Working with LINC AITI is a good model to evaluate the impact of e- learning on tertiary education in developing nations AITI is creating “learning communities” AITI is bringing together “future professionals,” NOW