ConfBits: A Web Based Conference Management System

ConfBits is a Web-based Conference Management System (CMS) developed to aid effective organization and management of professional, academic and technical conferences. The web based application is an object-oriented and multi-conferences platform that is made up of four major actors which are authors, reviewers, administrators (otherwise known as Program Committee (PC) chair) and participants. Conference organizers in any Anglophone country can subscribe to the platform via the Internet to access and utilize the different features which include; abstract and full paper submissions, assignment of papers to reviewers, sending email notifications to authors and reviewers, participants management and conference program scheduling. The prototype of the platform is already deployed on the Internet and the trial Universal Resource Locator (URL) is www.cucms.com.ng. From our review of existing online CMSs, ConfBits (although still at a prototype stage) is the first of such system from a developing clime. We hope the platform will serve to bridge the hitherto wide digital divide between the developed and developing nations especially with respect to scholarly online content

Mobile application to assist cancer patients access healthcare and funding in Kenya

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) at Strathmore UniversityCancer has posed to be a killer disease over time. Most patients die of cancer due to lack of access to early screening and effective treatment and lack of medical funds. Cancer treatment is deemed expensive thus most patients would need a health insurance fund or donor to offset the hospital bill. Cancer patients also need information on where they can access quality health service. There are several stakeholders who have joined forces to overcome the cancer burden. The government of Kenya has spearheaded the initiative by introduction of NHIF cover, covering cancer treatment. Cancer patients can be treated at NHIF approved hospitals using the capped cover amount. There are also Non-governmental organizations and cancer fund drives that have been organized to assist in the cancer burden in Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaires, the data collected was used to find out the challenges faced when accessing health care and funding. Data was analyzed using Google analytics tools and results obtained were used to guide the researcher in the design of the mobile and web application. Agile software methodology was used to develop the application. A mobile and web application was developed to assist cancer patients to access health care and funding. Users of the system are required to register their details that consist of their bio data as well as their NHIF number. The details of the user are sent to the donor to assist in paying the monthly contribution as well as the deficit amount to cover the full cancer treatment. Users are also referred to an oncologist and Hospital facility upon appointment request

Smallholder farmers in eastern Africa and climate change: a review of risks and adaptation options with implications for future adaptation programmes

This article reviews the published evidence of the climatic risks faced by smallholder farmers in eastern Africa and the adaptation strategies these farmers have so far adopted. In addition, the study draws on two detailed case studies in Kenya for a better understanding of the nuances of climate adaptation, requiring a range of measures to be adopted and institutions working together. Findings from the study reveal that the most consistent observation among farmers is that eastern Africa is experiencing increased temperature and decreased rainfall across all its agro-ecological zones. In response to their perceived climatic risks, smallholder farmers in the region are using both short-term and long-term strategies, with the former mainly consisting of coping mechanisms against climate chocks. In addition, the adaptation strategies implemented by the farmers are influenced by agro-ecological conditions which shape their farming systems and institutional settings including proximity to a major city and markets. The case studies highlight the importance of collaborative efforts between key local and external stakeholders in supporting adaptation to climate change. Key lessons are drawn from this study for the development of future adaptation programmes