Samsung Electronics East Africa yesterday together with the iLab Africa team at Strathmore University unveiled 6 androids apps developed locally by Strathmore IT students, following a partnership research project with the University. These newly launched apps will be available on on Samsung Apps in a week and are part of a program that saw the global electronics giant work closely with Strathmore’s iLab Africa to train and nurture students to come up with localized android applications.
Samsung continues to be a key platform for the students to not only gain skills in fulfilling the dynamic market demands but also showcase the monetary gains that advanced technological standards can have in our country.
Speaking during the launch ceremony, Robert Ngeru, Chief Operating Officer at Samsung Electronics East Africa, challenged local app developers to consider coming up with solutions that have a global market appeal, in light of the current high demand for relevant apps.
“The Samsung App Store is accessed by millions of mobile phone subscribers’ globally seeking to download quality android applications in diverse categories such as entertainment, education, games, lifestyle, travel and productivity among others. Kenyan app developers on the android platform have equal access to other global developers to show case their solutions on the Samsung apps store which is a gateway to global technology entrepreneurship.” Robert pointed out.
According to the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) 2013 statistics, over 30 million people in Kenya own a mobile phone. This means worldwide developments in information technology are seeing a shift towards mobile technology, thus providing a ripe market for developers to tap into this market with apps that provide relevant information on-the-go.
The apps launched include:
- Kenya Law Reports Application’ – an App that allows lawyers and the general public access information such as the constitution, updates on case files, schedule of court cases and the law of Kenya
- The Pharmaceutical Poisons Board App – an app that allows the public to easily recognize and report side effects on drugs, while also providing a platform to locate and engage a registered pharmacist among other uses
- The SBS App, a device locked app, that will benefit students at the Strathmore Business School who will not be able to easily manage their lectures, study groups’ and study schedules and download lecture content and assignments from the SBS e-learning system. This application also always copyright protection and can be adapted to suit any college and curriculum.
Launched alongside the 3 apps are:
- Share Your Faith – a church app that enables users to access general Christian information of people sharing their favorite scriptures, what they like about being a Christian
- ‘Kitoweo African Cuisine’ – a cooking app that allows users to browse African recipes as well as upload their own recipes of African dishes
- Sports Application – This one gives a back end to any institution to upload data and then ave it show up on the front end of a customizable mobile application. It provides a platform to the likes of KFF, KPL, Kenya Rugby Union to upload data and have it show up on the front facing side of the app
This partnership is part of Samsung Electronics’ strategy to put a keen focus on education through initiatives like the Samsung Engineering Academy which has to date trained thousands of students regionally, providing them with a platform to start their ICT enterprises. The Samsung Digital Village also utilizes solar powered solutions to deliver e-learning and business solutions.
“The changing business ecosystem calls for innovation among the players, as people constantly seek out the best value for money, user experience and mobile utility.” commented Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Strathmore University Director for iLab Africa.
