Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Migori Town

Migori County residents have a good reason to smile.

A new technical institution of higher learning is being constructed at their doorstep. The Jerry Ochieng International Center for Science & Technology shall start admitting Students in September 2011 for studies in Electronics, Information Technology, CISCO Networking, Telecoms, Mathematics, Physics, Nuclear Science, Astronomy, and Pre-College Science School (A- Level).

The Institute shall offer students a two year diploma course that is practically oriented where hands on laboratory and equipment training comprises 60% of the course work. Students will be trained how to work and produce goods and services. High school graduates with a mean grade of C in KCPE or two principal passes at A-Level will qualify for admission.

The objectives of this pioneer institute are to empower youth, give them an opportunity to develop intellectually, bridge the technological gap between north and south through technological transfer and collaboration with like-minded institutions in developed countries, develop 21st century.

Scientists in African continent, enable youth to develop home grown solutions that will translate into goods and services, provide skilled manpower for public and private sector, provide an enabling environment for innovation and research , develop an industry within the campus for research, simulation, design, testing and production of software and hardware goods and services, provide equal training opportunities to the youth irrespective of gender, race, tribe, religion, political affiliation, nationality or sexual orientation.

The Institute is an equal opportunity employer. The philosophy of the institute is based on scientific reasoning and not on dogmatic ideologies of the past generations.

The Institute shall have its own manufacturing facility and workshops within the campus. Students will be expected to design, simulate, fabricate and produce goods and services ranging from application software to hardware goods including computer systems, electronic goods, business software and robots among others.

The Institute shall provide part time jobs within the manufacturing and research facility for students who are unable to pay fees. The Executive Director and Chairman of the Institute Eng. Jerry Ochieng emphasizes that a student should not be denied admission into the college if he or she is from a poor family.

Such students will work part-time at the Institute and earn enough money to pay for their education. Some students will be given scholarships and grants depending on their status, grades and family background. Eng Ochieng emphasizes that first priority for scholarships shall be given to girls, orphans, displaced students in IDP camps and physically challenged students.

The Institute that is currently undergoing construction in Suba West Division of Migori district is located on a 20 acres land along Migori – Muhuru Bay road. This institute is fully funded by Eng. Jerry Ochieng Charity Foundation in collaboration with former classmates and professors in Germany, USA, India, Mexico, Argentina, UK, Switzerland and Italy where he spent many years reading and teaching engineering.

The estimated cost for construction of the Institute is $ 500,000 and is expected to be completed within five years. The Institute shall have the following facilities so as to make studying and working hospitable and interesting: State of art lecture halls, Laboratories for Physics, Electronics, Energy, Mechanics, Networked computers , modern lecture rooms, production and manufacturing facilities, digital Library, play grounds for soccer, tennis, basketball, Swimming pools, Golf Course, botanical gardens, gyms, cafeterias, free internet , hostels, supermarket, bank, astronomical observatory, dispensary, staff houses, research center and guest house for visiting lecturers and professors.

The Institute shall collaborate with like minded international organizations in order to realize its mission and vision: Institute of Information and Communication Technology – India, Third World Academy of Sciences- TWAS- Italy, International Center for Theoretical Physics- ICTP Trieste Italy, University of Illinois at Chicago USA, Multimedia University- Malaysia, International Center for Science and High Technology- ICS Trieste Italy, United Nations Industrial Development Organization –UNIDO, United Nations Educational & Scientific organization – UNESCO, International Telecommunications Union- ITU, Geneva Switzerland and The International Atomic Energy Agency- IAEA, Vienna Austria

The Institute is currently hiring lecturers in the fields of Electronics, Physics, Computer science, and Telecoms. Pre University Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Chemistry teachers are also required.

Jerry Ochieng is a professor of Engineering at The African Advanced Telecommunications Institute, Physics Lecturer at Kenyatta University and Associate of International Center for Theoretical Physics-ICTP-Trieste Italy, and visiting professor at Ghana Telecommunications University.

He is also ICT counselor for International Telecommunication Union- ITU in Geneva Switzerland. He comes from Migori district and is the son of late Senior Chief Baraza. He is a scientologist, philosopher, philanthropist and free thinker. Is a member of Society for Extra Terrestrial Iinstitute.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com