REPORT OF THE TRAINING ON HIGHER INTERNET LITERACY AND THE USE OF WEB 2.0 TOOLS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN AFRICA, ACCRA - GHANA 08th –19th DEC, 200

Introduction

I participated in a two-weeks training on the use of Web 2.0 tools for internet communication. This program was structured to introduce skills that are relevant for web based communications, for onward use in my home institute, ISAR. I was integrated into the FARA NSF2 Unit, where I had hands-on participation in activities that engender learning and skill acquisition.
One of the workshops I participated in is “Training module for NARS Information and Communication Officer at the FARA Secretariat.” The aims and expectation of the workshop were as follows;

- Learn about web design non technical
- Complete instructions / training all aspects
- Use website as communication tool
- How to coordinate interventions
- How to add/ improve/ quality
- How to feed specific NSF info into the website
- Francophone version
- Get ideas for local website

Training components:

I was exposed to other web based communication tools at FARA, which include;

• FARA Website www.fara-africa.org
• FARA Secretariat Blog http://farastaff.blogspot.com/
• Introduction to blogs and video blogging using Movie Maker
• Blip-tv for the posting of video interview http://faraportal.blip.tv/
• MailChimp for the FARA Bulletin
• Dgroups for RAILS, and how to create our Dgroups
• igoogle to manage newfeeds www.google.com/ig
• Introduction to Google: how to create a personalized Google page on www.google.com/ig and how to create your own news feeds on your personalized Google page
• Introduction to blogs
• The use of a Google Agenda
• To create and use groups ware http://isitools.org/fara/phprojekt_52

Consequent upon the training, I created the ISAR’s blog and a work group on rails, both of which can be assessed on http://isar-rwanda.blogspot.com and http://www.dgroups.org/groups/fara-rails respectively.

During the training I discussed with RAILS management about mobilizing the Rwanda team which is expected to contribute significantly to the future activities within the RAILS community. I also created a space with Groupware for Rwanda. This is expected to facilitate information sharing, documentation, calendar of activities as well as projects monitoring and evaluation. My vision and outlook for this Program is to facilitate the linkage of research and extension both within ISAR and other institutions in the country for research synergy and development activities. This is more important, as there is a lot of beneficial information within the institutions that are not currently accessible.

The implementation of RAILS could start from the database of Rwanda Science and Research Council on Human Resource capacities and Facilities (documentation, equipment) for research within Rwanda. Later on, we could go beyond the borders of Rwanda and cover the sub-region. We would be happy to be the hosts/hub for RAILS Program in Rwanda and later on within the sub-region. RAILS in Rwanda would take certainly off rapidly and successfully as RSRC base line database will soon be available.

The preliminary results:

My expectation of the training has been fulfilled since I have been equipped with the required knowledge base to set up the use of Web 2.0 tools for information and communication in Rwanda. I also hope to beef up this exposure with consistent practice and keep contacts with the RAILS focal likely intervention and follow-up.

Conclusion

After my training, I learnt a lot from the experiences of FARA-RAILS and hope to manage our information resources according to what we have seen. I am grateful to the Executive Director of FARA Dr. Monty Jones for his support for this worthy program, to Madam Myra Head of FARA-RAILS for organizing this training and to the members of the FARA NSF2 especially to Mr. Dady Demby and Francois Stepman, who facilitated and spent many days with me.

By UMUKAZI Claudine