EVENT REPORT

The fourth bottom line:

Building tomorrow’s
professionals today

2nd Young Professionals Technology Symposium

May 7th 2011, Makerere University, School of computing and Informatics Technology

An Enterprise Technology magazine event in partnership with these leading brands

ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY :: ICT CREATIVES LTD

Plot 4667, Ggaba Rd, Kansanga, Muva House
Tel: +256 414 266 423 Mob: +256 773 092 290
Email: jtonda@ictcreatives.com
www.ictcreatives.com
www.facebook.com/enterprisetechnology
Contents
3 Introduction

4 Basic facts and figures

6 Symposium programme

7 Event management team

8 Partners, sponsors & exhibitors

12 Speakers

13 The Innovators Dream business idea competition

14 Participant feedback

16 What next?
3 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Introduction
“All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their
own plants.” John .W. Gardner

In 2010 Uganda Bureau of Statistics came out with a startling statistic: annually, there are 400,000
graduates from tertiary institutions in Uganda; only 80,000 are absorbed into formal employment. What
happens to the other 320,000?

Twenty years ago, employees worked for one company for their entire career and then retired on their
savings; today, worldwide, employees work on average for three years and then move on. What’s
interesting too is that more and more professionals are choosing to start up their own businesses,
capturing niche markets and creating innovative products that address untapped market needs.
The 2010 Legatum Prosperity Index which tracks global prosperity revealed that of the top 20 most
prosperous countries in the world, 19 out of them also had the highest level of entrepreneurship.

Finally, technology has proved itself to be the most dynamic of all disciplines providing us with solutions
that address problems across all sectors from manufacturing, to telecoms, to agriculture to media and
fashion. Computing technologies in the form of software, or internet based applications or gadgets
have made work processes more efficient and allowed us to get more work done.
What is the Young Professionals Technology Symposium?

The first Young Professionals Technology Symposium (YPTS) was held in October 2010 at Kampala
International University, and is now a bi-annual practical learning forum where Young Professionals
meet experts in different technology, business and entrepreneurial fields to learn how they can acquire
value added skills that help them add value to companies immediately, and that help them become
entrepreneurs who start their own businesses and offer products and services that companies need.

These skills are a melange of technical skills (networking, web application development, security,
multimedia, Open source) , corporate etiquette (answering customer calls, office decorum, professional
image); and business skills (market assessment, product branding, selling your idea, work ethic).

Additionally, the participants are given the opportunity to network with leading brands that exhibit and
recruit at the symposium, exposing them to the world of work and giving visibility to those brands.
A unique aspect of the recently concluded symposium held at Makerere, was the introduction of The
Innovator’s Dream business idea competition where 20 young innovators gave 5 minute presentations
of their innovations before a panel of judges in order to win startup funding and business coaching.

We have seen a growth in interest and collaborative partnership where the first symposium had 150
participants and 5 partners, the second symposium had close to 400 participants and 25 partners.

The success of the symposium overall lay in the diversity of topics covered, the calibre of speakers and
the sponsorship received from leading regional companies.

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4 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Symposium facts and figures

1.0 Attendance

Number of participants 386

Average age 24 years

Institutions with highest Makerere University, KiBO Foundation, Kampala International

representation University

Number of exhibiting companies 10

Number of partners 25

1.1 Social media network usage

Social media usage continues to grow
among young professionals; Facebook
Facebook usage grew from 87% to 94% while the
94% highest growth was traced to LinkedIn,
the professional career network platform
which grew from 20.2% to 32%. Social
media is clearly popular among young
professionals and provides an avenue for
companies to meet this audience on a
turf they are comfortable with.
Essentially, social media provides
companies with a platform from which
they can engage young professionals
LinkedIn in a two way feedback process.
32% No social Strategic companies need to develop
Twitter
network a comprehensive social media network
25%
0.02% strategy that helps them reach this
audience.

Note: Most participants are on more than one social network

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5 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

1.2 How they learned about the symposium

Although various
Other 4% forms of advertising
are important, the
most effective way
to reach Young
Professionals is through
companies that have
Colleague 32% close association with
Email 8% their peers and visible
Poster 42%
attractive posters.

Advert 21%

1.3 What convinced you to attend the symposium?

• Getting a Certificate • Curiosity
• ICT Creatives personnel at ticket sales • Lecturer
• Innovator’s dream • Colleague
• Companies involved • Related to course
• Symposium kit • Job market requirements
• Desire to learn more about Information Technology • The theme
• Diversity of topics • Networking with professionals
• Job opportunities • To gain skills
• Internship • T-shirt and food
• The statement ‘Young Professionals Technology Symposium’ • Speakers
• Advert • Venue
• To relate technology to Business • Practical demonstrations
• To acquire practical technology skills

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6 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Symposium programme
MORNING SESSION
10 am -11:00 am: Registration and welcoming of participants by Charles Halonda Funa, Workforce
Development- School of Computing and Informatics Technology, MUK
11:00 am -11:15 am: Institute of Financial Empowerment Consultants: Keynote speech
11:15 am -11:30 am: Missy Apps: Faridah Nakawooya: Website design that sells
11:30 am -11:40 am: Standard Chartered bank: Global recruitment drive- Judith Nasimolo, Head, Learning
and Talent Development, Standard Chartered Bank (Uganda)
11:50 am -12:00 pm: Monitor Publications: Monitor Digital products- Allan Zaramba
12:00 pm -12:15 pm: Makerere School of Computing & Informatics Technology: CV skills
12:15 pm -12:25 pm: HR Link Consult: Alex Mukibi: How to sell yourself during a job interview

LUNCH BREAK/EXHIBITOR VIEWING/BREAK OUT SESSIONS PRACTICE

EXHIBITOR SESSIONS/BREAK OUT HUBS

Mara Foundation: Entrepreneur Launchpad programme- Director, Nigel Ball
Bringing Being into Business: Director, Kshitij Gheewala- Business mentoring within the symposium
ICT Labs: Director, Albert Aguta; All day practical ICT training- setting up corporate networks
Linux Users Group: Kyle Spencer: Demonstrations of Ubuntu and other innovative open-source technology
Baaze Business Services: Business Development Director, Peter Mutyaba
Technobrain:
BizTalk Systems: Geoffrey Sekitto: Developing effective web based apps
Enovate Soft: Ronald Karakire: Website design demo

AFTERNOON SESSION
3.00 pm- 4.00pm Innovators Dream business competition
Entertainment/deliberation by the judges and announcing of the winner
4:00 pm -4:10 pm: Gregory Branch, CNN & CBS: Building a multimedia content career-showcase
4:10 pm -4:20 pm: iBrand: Belinda Namutebi-Branding your product for future success
4:20 pm -4:30 pm: BDE Consults Natalie Kimbugwe-Building a career in internet based research
4:30 pm -4:40 pm: KiBO Foundation: Work Ethic and Community Service
4.40 pm- 5.00 pm: Edouard Blondeau: Chief Officer Strategy and Broadband, Orange Uganda
Raffle draw for the IDEOS smartphone

5:20pm Close of Symposium/Handing out of certificates

Note: Due to time constraints, we were unable to cover all the planned topics for the symposium. The original
programme included:
Baaze Business Services: Maximize your online marketing in Uganda
Soft Solutions: Brian Ssenoga- Open Source Business Models
Artfield Institute of Design: Introduction to Animations and Graphics design
Enterprise Technology/ICT Creatives: Social media for career growth and business marketing

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7 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Event Management Team

Rosemary Alupot
Registration and data analysis

Edson Ruyondo
Event manager

Isaac Sebaggala
Event coordination
Charles Halonda Funa
Liaison, School of Computing, MUK

Joyce Kyeyune Tonda

Event concept and
sponsor prospecting

Martin Wangolo
Publicity and marketing

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8 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Partners, sponsors, exhibitors

Oscar Byamugisha, Lead sponsor: The Innovator’s Dream: SMS Media

Operations, SMS
Media explains
the importance of
innovation

Allan Zaramba, Daily

Monitor, discusses the Media partner: Monitor Publications
benefits of using the
Monitor Digital suite of
products
DAILY
MONITOR
TRUTH EVERY DAY

Albert Aguta, Director

Practical technology training partner: The ICT Labs
ICT Labs illustrates a
point during a training
with the participants

Logistics and coordination partner: The KiBO Foundation

Patricia Otoa, KiBO
Foundation Corporate
Affairs Associate

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9 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Job opportunity sponsor: Refreshments sponsor: Venue sponsor:

Standard Chartered Crown Beverages School of Computing

Judith Nasimolo, Standard Pepsi products kept the The School of Computing
Chartered describes the bank’s participants refreshed demonstrated a wide array of
courses including animation and
design

Business coaching sponsor Business mentoring sponsor Attire and raffle draw
Bringing Being into Being Mara Foundation (IDEOS phone) sponsor

Bring Being into Business staff Nigel Ball, Director, Mara Foundation Attractive, tastefully designed t-shirts
explain the company’s unique describes the Entrepreneur Launchpad were worn by symposium participants.
approach programme

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10 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

EXHIBITION HUB

The exhibition hub

functioned as a breakaway
area without actually
leaving the symposium; in
the hub speakers could
contine with the Q&A
generated from their
presentations as other
speakers took to the
podium due to the intensive
symposium programme.

Participants could also

choose to leave the
main symposium area
temporarily and visit
different company booths
in the exhibition area which
was a partitioned area
within the main sympsoium
hall.

Registration for business

related learning was popular
as many participants are
already cognizant of the
reality that they will have
to start their own businesses
rather than wait indefinitely
to be employed.

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11 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

EXHIBITION HUB
Exhibiting companies included, Monitor Digital, Baaze
Business Services, Technobrain, Mara Foundation, Orange,
BizTalk Systems, Ennovate, School of Computing & IT
Makerere, Linux Users Group of Uganda, Bringing Being into
Business and ICT Labs.

Participants were attracted to

exhibitors who had practical
demonstrations as they provided
opportunities to learn something
new which is what essentially
convinced participants to attend
the symposium.

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12 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Speakers

Top row: Farida Nakawooya, Director, MissyApps; Allan Zaramba, Monitor Digital; Gregory Branch, CBS & CNN Africa representative; Edouard
Blondeau, Chief Strategy Officer, Orange Uganda; Badru Ntege, Group CEO, NFT Consult
Middle row: Belinda Namutebi, Chief Custodian, iBRAND; Judith Nasimolo, Head, Learning and Talent Development, Standard Chartered Bank,
Uganda; Kshitij Gheewala, Director, Bringing Being into Business; Michael Bwisho, IFE;
Bottom row: Evans Maganda, Symposium Moderator; Alex Mukibi, Director, HR Link Consult; Nigel Ball, Director, Mara Foundation; Charles Halonda
Funa, Workforce Development, School of Computing & IT, MUK

Speakers were chosen from a broad array of leading brands and they represent a new breed of professionals
who are challenging the status quo and effecting change by doing things differently. They were chosen for their
successes and ability to interact with young professionals and transfer useful practical knowledge to them.

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13 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

The Innovators Dream

One of the key goals of the symposium is to encourage and reward innovation among young professionals as
a way to drive entrepreneurship in Uganda and East Africa. During the symposium 20 participants were given
the opportunity to present a technology business idea in 7 minutes before a panel of judges to win startup
funding, mentoring and a business training opportunity that will bring their business idea to commercialization.

The innovations varied broadly from electricity applications to mobile applications and the judge’s final choice
was based on applicability to a wide community and practicality of the idea.

Annet Namubiru emerged

the overall winner of The
Innovator’s Dream business
idea competition with her food
security idea.
Miss Namubiru received
UGX 1 million cash from SMS
Media, the lead sponsor, to
help her start the company
registration process. She will
also benefit from a 6 month
long business mentoring from
the Mara Foundation under
Judges on the panel, Director Mara Foundation, Nigel Ball; Head, Operations, SMS Media, Oscar the Entrepreneur Launchpad
Byamugisha; Badru Ntege, Group CEO, NFT Consult programme.

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14 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Participant Feedback
In order to measure event success, 250 questionnaires
were given out and collected at the end of the
symposium. To ensure a good feedback rate,
participants were handed certificates only after
handing over a completed anonymous questionnaire.
Q: Which topic was most relevant to you?
A: Career guidance presentations
Top reasons for attending the symposium
1. Receive the symposium certificate
2. The Innovators Dream business idea competition
3. Network with companies
4. Job opportunities
5. Learn more technology skills
6. The statement ‘Young Professionals Technology
Symposium’
Q: How most did you benefit from this symposium
1. Acquired skills
2. Learned to be innovative and creative
3. Networking
4. The Innovator’s Dream
5. Exposure

17% rated it 5 out of 10 or less

On a scale of 1(poor) to 10 (excellent) rate the symposium

27% 8%
6/10
10/10
14%
7/10

9/10
8/10

10%

24%

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15 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Participant Feedback

“ Quoted
I was encouraged to be creative when it comes to entrepreneurship.

I gained useful company contacts.

I would like to see more practical sessions and less speaking

The discussion on web design and the exhibition on business skills gave
me many ideas.

I learned how to present myself before an interviewer.

The topics were good but better time management is required next
time.

Young Professionals Technology Symposium

Certificate of participation

Made possible by the generous support of these leading brands:

Saturday, May 7th 2011, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Joyce Kyeyune Tonda,

Managing Director, Enterprise Technology

Enterprise Technology /ICT Creatives offers a range of technology solutions including Enterprise Technology magazine, web design, web content develop-
ment, Social Media strategy and design services. For further details please visit our website www.ictcreatives.com
call +256-414 266 423| email sales @ictcreatives.com

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16 | THE FOURTH BOTTOM LINE BUILDING TOMORROW’S PROFESSIONALS TODAY

What next?
Any useful event must have a tangible measurable impact long after the event is over. Symposium participants
are registered in a database (email and mobile numbers) where they are tracked and followed up every three
(3) months to find out their employment status. Althought it is an imperfect science, the eventual goal is that
Uganda will begin to have useful accurate data on the state of entrepreneurship and employment among
young professionals in the country.

The second goal is to understand whether frequent exposure to the World of Work through a platform like a
symposium is capable of creating professionals who do not have to jump the 5 years of experience hurdle and
can immediately add value to companies as intrapreneurs.

We plan to hold The Young Professionals Technology Symposium annually throughout East Africa to address the
unique challenges of Young Professionals in each country in the region.

Partner requests may be directed to: jtonda@ictcreatives.com/ alt email: jonaiga@gmail.com

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About Enterprise Technology

Enterprise Technology develops technology based solutions customized for businesses that want to use new
technology to reach untapped markets in East Africa. Our solutions include the following:
• Enterprise Technology magazine
• Social media network marketing
• Web content development
• Young Professionals Technology symposium

Reach us
Website: www.ictcreatives.com
Email: sales@ictcreatives.com
Tel: +256 414 266 423 | Mobile: +256 701 100 516 ; +256 773 092 290
Plot 4667, Ggaba Rd, Kansanga, Muva House,Kampala, Uganda

Social Media
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Twitter: twitter.com/TechnologyEA

© 2011 ICT Creatives Ltd.