AMECEA: CUEA VC Appeals for TAX Waiver for ICT equipment and Materials
The Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa
(CUEA) Rev Dr Pius Rutechura has requested the Government of Kenya to waive the
Tax on ICT equipment and materials for learning institutions so as to enable the
institutions run this course at lower cost and makes it more accessible.
(CUEA) Rev Dr Pius Rutechura has requested the Government of Kenya to waive the
Tax on ICT equipment and materials for learning institutions so as to enable the
institutions run this course at lower cost and makes it more accessible.
The VC was making this request when
addressing the President of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta and other Dignitaries
during the launching of the first IBM commercial technology research facility in Africa at CUEA
on 8th November 2013.
addressing the President of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta and other Dignitaries
during the launching of the first IBM commercial technology research facility in Africa at CUEA
on 8th November 2013.
Remarks of the Vice Chancellor at the IBM Launching
Ceremony 8th November 2013
Ceremony 8th November 2013
Your
Excellency, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta – President and Commander in Chief of the
Defence Forces
Excellency, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta – President and Commander in Chief of the
Defence Forces
·
Hon.
Dr. Fred Matiangi – Cabinet secretary
for Communication and Technology
Hon.
Dr. Fred Matiangi – Cabinet secretary
for Communication and Technology
·
Dr.
Robert Morris – Vice President, Global Labs, IBM Research
Dr.
Robert Morris – Vice President, Global Labs, IBM Research
·
Dr.
Kamal Bhattacharya – Lab Director, IBM Research Africa
Dr.
Kamal Bhattacharya – Lab Director, IBM Research Africa
·
Dr.
Uyi Stewart – Chief Scientist, IBM Research – Africa
Dr.
Uyi Stewart – Chief Scientist, IBM Research – Africa
·
Kenyan
Government Officials
Kenyan
Government Officials
·
University
Staff and Students
University
Staff and Students
·
Invited
Guests
Invited
Guests
·
Ladies
and Gentlemen
Ladies
and Gentlemen
It is my
pleasure to extend our sincere welcome to our University. This is the largest
regional University in the country that has Campuses, Constituent Colleges and
Affiliated Colleges. The church and community of the eastern Africa region made
up of the nine countries that own the University were very excited to receive
the news of the establishment of the IMB Laboratory at our Institution, the
first of its kind in Africa. We are grateful to the IBM fraternity and the
Government of Kenya for conducting a very transparent and competitive search
that led to the choice of our University. The dream has become a reality. I am
glad say that the Laboratory has put the name of our University on the map of
excellence and we promise to keep terms of engagement as per the MOU that we
signed.
pleasure to extend our sincere welcome to our University. This is the largest
regional University in the country that has Campuses, Constituent Colleges and
Affiliated Colleges. The church and community of the eastern Africa region made
up of the nine countries that own the University were very excited to receive
the news of the establishment of the IMB Laboratory at our Institution, the
first of its kind in Africa. We are grateful to the IBM fraternity and the
Government of Kenya for conducting a very transparent and competitive search
that led to the choice of our University. The dream has become a reality. I am
glad say that the Laboratory has put the name of our University on the map of
excellence and we promise to keep terms of engagement as per the MOU that we
signed.
Your
Excellencies, we acknowledge with certainty technology has changed the face of
the world. The information flows more efficiently, effectively and faster. The
management of current and future phenomena can be done at a touch of a button.
Unfortunately, the continent of Africa is lagging behind and not participating
as an equal partner. It is my hope that the presence of the Lab shall address
particular challenges facing Africa as well as re-awaken our creativity and
improve the quality of life for the people. As a University, we have put to
your disposal, our Facilities, reliable networks up to the grassroots in the
AMECEA region together with our Staff and Students to further the mission and
vision of the Laboratory. We look forward to have stronger collaboration to the
good of our institutions.
Excellencies, we acknowledge with certainty technology has changed the face of
the world. The information flows more efficiently, effectively and faster. The
management of current and future phenomena can be done at a touch of a button.
Unfortunately, the continent of Africa is lagging behind and not participating
as an equal partner. It is my hope that the presence of the Lab shall address
particular challenges facing Africa as well as re-awaken our creativity and
improve the quality of life for the people. As a University, we have put to
your disposal, our Facilities, reliable networks up to the grassroots in the
AMECEA region together with our Staff and Students to further the mission and
vision of the Laboratory. We look forward to have stronger collaboration to the
good of our institutions.
I wish to
take this opportunity to make some three requests:
take this opportunity to make some three requests:
1. There is an
acute shortage of highly qualified staff in the area of ICT with the capacity
of handling students pursuing postgraduate studies. I appeal that we can form
networks between the Lab, the University and the Government on a programme of
capacity building to serve the nation of Kenya and the region at large.
acute shortage of highly qualified staff in the area of ICT with the capacity
of handling students pursuing postgraduate studies. I appeal that we can form
networks between the Lab, the University and the Government on a programme of
capacity building to serve the nation of Kenya and the region at large.
2. Secondly, I
wish to appeal for waiver of tax of ICT equipment and materials for learning
institutions. This shall lower the cost of learning of ICT and make it more
accessible. For example, Primary School Teachers have been making inquiries on
the cost of studying ICT and they appear to be limited by the coat.
wish to appeal for waiver of tax of ICT equipment and materials for learning
institutions. This shall lower the cost of learning of ICT and make it more
accessible. For example, Primary School Teachers have been making inquiries on
the cost of studying ICT and they appear to be limited by the coat.
3. Finally, I
would request for mare structured and integrated University – Industry
cooperation. We need to be preparing students to serve and solve the challenges
of society. The cooperation shall enable us to review and re-orient our
curriculum appropriately.
would request for mare structured and integrated University – Industry
cooperation. We need to be preparing students to serve and solve the challenges
of society. The cooperation shall enable us to review and re-orient our
curriculum appropriately.
Once more,
on behalf of the University Council, Staff and Students of the university, I
say welcome. We are proud to be associated with you.
on behalf of the University Council, Staff and Students of the university, I
say welcome. We are proud to be associated with you.
Msgr. Dr Pius RUTECHURA
Vice Chancellor
SOURCE: AMECEA Social
Communications Office
Communications Office
