Safaricom Academy/Strathmore University: Introduction to Mobile Application Development

Build your skills in Mobile IT
Safaricom Academy/Strathmore University
Introduction to Mobile Application Development
31st May to 2nd July 2010
Safaricom’s investment in 3G and data has created an environment where data can be used as an opportunity for creating employment through innovation. We are leveraging on this by growing young talent involved or interested in the development of applications which will be relevant to their communities and Kenya as a whole.
The Safaricom Academy is geared towards creating the necessary competence through leveraging on existing academic institutions by enhancing their curriculae to create this competence. Further to this, the Academy owns an incubation centre that offers an environment where young minds will be able to develop and create innovative applications.

The main goals of this programme therefore are:

1.     Promoting local innovation in developing relevant applications in our market today.
2.     Creating an enabling environment for the development of relevant mobile applications.
3.     Attracting companies with applications to host them within our Portal.
The current course will introduce participants to the Safaricom Academy. The course will cover an introduction to Telecommunication Technologies: GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA and Wimax; Java Programming; Developing and Testing SMS and USSD applications. For further information, check:
Selection Criteria
The candidate should meet the following minimum requirements:
1.     Be self-motivated and have a strong interest in Mobile Application Development as a career.
2.     Be a recent graduate or final year student in a Degree/Diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Information Technology or equivalent course.
3.     Should have attained an Upper Second/Distinction or equivalent (final year students should have a cumulative grade leading to an Upper Second/Distinction or equivalent).
4.     Have experience in Java Programming and Object-Oriented design.
5.     Have a good knowledge of a relational database management system (e.g. My SQL, MS SQL, Oracle or similar DBMS) and experience in Database Design.
6.     Be fully available to attend this course for its entire duration (5 weeks on a full-time basis).
7.     Experience handling SMS APIs will be an added advantage.
In addition to the above, candidates will need to submit the following documents with their application:
1.     A one page résumé detailing why they think they are suitable for consideration.
2.     Two references, one of which must be academic and the other professional.
3.     Diploma holders who have attained a distinction will also be considered.
Application Deadline: 23rd May 2010
Only applications submitted electronically viahttp://www.strathmore.edu/mobile/register.php will be considered.