IT graduates too theoretical - expert
Graduates are advised to acquire practical skills that meet the needs of developing countries. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA
Kampala. Majority of schools claiming to be imparting Information Communication Technology skills in students in Uganda are operating on the garbage-in-garbage-out principle, an industry expert has said.
Speaking in an interview at the weekend, Mr Amit Srivastava, the director Sai Pali Institute of Technology and Management, said the school is disappointed with IT graduates who show up for interviews because they are too theoretical yet the industry needs practical skills.
“When you ask them anything to do with programming, networking or coding, they will give you very good theoretical explanations but when you ask them to go practical, they do not know anything,” Mr Srivastava said.
“IT is about the brain, the eyes and fingers not the theoretical degrees most of them are flashing around,” he added.
His comments come against the backdrop of similar observations made by Mr Steve Kayizzi-Mugerwa, the director of Development Research at the African Development Bank, last week.
Mr Mugerwa said most IT graduates’ skills were inconsistent with tackling the needs of developing countries.
Mr Leonah Mbonimpa, the National Information Technology Authority spokesperson, said the body would accredit and certify all IT training institutions and firms to ensure that the right skills are available.
