October 2010 - change - Mailing Lists

CSE 590F: ICTD Seminar (Information and Communication Technology for Development)
by Gaetano Borriello 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Yes, it is another research seminar announcement. TIME: Tuesday 1:30-2:30pm PLACE: CSE 203 WEB: http://www.cs.washington.edu/education/courses/cse590f/10au/ Please join us in CSE 590F (Readings in Information and Communication Technology for Development) next Tuesday, October 5 for our first meeting this quarter. Since we are starting late, this first meeting will not just be organizational but will already include a discussion of a paper, which I will likely lead unless I get an early volunteer. We'll then spend some time volunteering for leading the other discussions of papers this quarter. Our readings will be mostly from the upcoming ICTD conference (if the authors give us permission) and from CHI and AI-D as well. The last two weeks will be practice talks of UW presentations at the ICTD and DEV conferences in mid-December. As usual, all are most welcome to attend. Those new to the seminar who are just curious about ICTD are particularly encouraged. There is a tentative schedule for the quarter at http://www.cs.washington.edu/education/courses/cse590f/10au/. It will probably be modified after the first meeting and will soon include links to PDF files of each paper. Hope to see you there on Tuesday, Gaetano

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UW CSE Affiliates: Talks on Technology for Under-Served Regions
by Yaw Anokwa 31 Oct '10

31 Oct '10

UW CSE Industrial Affiliates Program (http://www.cs.washington.edu/affiliates/) is an annual meeting where the department and affiliates to come together and discuss topics and issues of mutual interest. This year, there were a number of talks and posters on Technology for Under-Served Regions. I've put the abstracts and links to talks and posters below. You can also find them at http://change.washington.edu/2010/10/uw-cse-affiliates-talks-on-technology-… Portable Ultrasound for Midwives Ultrasound imaging is an effective tool for identifying maternal mortality risk factors. Unfortunately, ultrasound is nearly absent in many rural healthcare facilities in developing regions due to the high costs of both equipment and required training. To leverage existing healthcare systems commonly found in these contexts, we have focused our efforts on increasing the diagnostic capabilities of midwives –often central medical figures in rural and low-income communities. We have designed and built a low-cost portable ultrasound device consisting of a USB ultrasound probe and a touchscreen netbook that has a simplified user interface that specifically targets midwives. Our modular design approach allows for easy modification, and the device is designed to utilize existing local healthcare resources in order to create a sustainable solution that does not depend on continuous foreign assistance. Talk: http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ultrasound_talk.pdf Poster: http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ultrasound_poster.p… FoneAstra: A Low-cost, Networked Sensing Platform for Developing Regions FoneAstra is a low-cost, programmable device that extends capabilities of mobile phones. We discuss how our device extends the functionality of non-programmable, low-tier mobile phones that are most prevalent amongst low-income groups in developing regions. FoneAstra enables interesting mobile applications in a variety of domains ranging from participatory sensing to remote monitoring to healthcare. We present an application in which FoneAstra is being used to monitor the temperature of vaccines in a country-wide “vaccine cold-chain.” We also discuss an application, currently under development, in which FoneAstra will be used to monitor the milk pasteurization process at Human Milk Banks. Both of these applications are being done in collaboration with PATH, our Seattle-based partner NGO, that works in the healthcare delivery area for developing countries. Talk: http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/foneastra_talk.pdf Poster http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/foneastra_poster.pdf Smart Connect: A Communication Link for Peripheral Health Facilities Rural health facilities in developing countries collect valuable data relating to patient care, however it is challenging and time consuming to report this data to the urban facilities where it could be aggregated and utilized. To address this problem, we are developing Smart Connect, a facility-based communication device that uses SMS messages to provide a data link between peripheral health facilities and a server connected to the Internet. In collaboration with PATH, we have completed fieldwork in Nicaragua that indicates that a variety of processes could be improved with the use of this device. These include filing epidemiological surveillance reports, receiving results of diagnostic test, and providing automatic monitoring of vaccine refrigeration equipment. In this talk, I will discuss the requirements gathering process we completed to learn about data collection in the Nicaragua health system, and I will describe areas in which Smart Connect can be used to improve data connectivity. Talk: http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/smartconnect_talk.p… Poster http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/smartconnect_poster… Technology for Video-Based Agricultural Education in Rural India This talk will discuss work exploring the use of handheld technology to assist mediators in facilitated video deployments. Facilitated video is a teaching method where a semi-skilled facilitator shows videos of excellent educators to students, pausing the video for questions and interaction. We partnered with Digital Green, an NGO which uses facilitated video for agricultural education in rural India. Based upon an investigation we conducted into the information needs of the facilitators, we built and field-tested two different solutions for delivering information to the facilitator in real time during the video shows. The primary difference between the two was the manner in which the device discovered which video was playing and its timing offset. One approach involved embedding audio codes into the video that were decoded on an Android smart phone using digital signal processing, while the other approach employed a custom-hardware “smart” remote control. We field tested both devices for four weeks in India. User response was very positive, and both approaches were shown to be viable for use in the field. Talk: http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/digitalgreen_talk.p… CommCare: A mobile phone-based application to strengthen and monitor community health programs Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the first–and often only–medical professionals that people see in rural areas of low-income countries. People living in extreme poverty often delay seeking care until it is too late for them to be helped. CHWs make house hold visits to provide very basic care. However, for CHWs to provide effective care, they must keep track of a great deal of information, from patient records to remembering follow up visits. CommCare is software that we are developing to run on mobile phones to aid CHWs with planning and performing their job. Poster: http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/commcare_poster.pdf Open Data Kit: Tools to Build Information Services for Developing Regions Open Data Kit (ODK), an extensible, open-source suite of tools designed to build information services for developing regions. ODK currently provides four tools to this end: Collect, Aggregate, Voice, and Build. Collect is a mobile platform that renders application logic and supports the manipulation of data. Aggregate provides a “click-to-deploy” server that supports data storage and transfer in the “cloud” or on local servers. Voice renders application logic using phone prompts that users respond to with keypad presses. Finally, Build is a application designer that generates the logic used by the tools. Designed to be used together or independently, ODK core tools build on existing open standards and are supported by an open-source community that has contributed additional tools. We describe four deployments that demonstrate how the decisions made in the system architecture of ODK enable services that can both push and pull information in developing regions. Poster: http://change.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/odk_poster.pdf

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Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest
by Yaw Anokwa 30 Oct '10

30 Oct '10

The Antonio Pizzigati Prize for Software in the Public Interest annually grants a cash award for an outstanding contribution in public interest software development. In 2010, the Pizzigati Prize will award $10,000 to one individual who has created or led an effort to create a software product of significant value to the nonprofit sector. Each candidate must be nominated by a peer within the public interest computing world or a leader in the nonprofit community who can speak to the personal qualities that contribute to that individual’s leadership, as well as to the product the nominee has developed. The completed nomination form for the 2011 competition can be submitted in conjunction with or separately from the candidate’s application. Nominations must be submitted by December 15, 2010. See http://www.pizzigatiprize.org/index.php/Prize-Information/ for more.

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ACM DEV Registration is Open
by Yaw Anokwa 29 Oct '10

29 Oct '10

The ACM DEV 2010 conference will be held in conjunction with ICTD 2010 from Dec 17-18 2010. For all those attending ICTD 2010 and have an interest in learning about new computing innovations for development, you should consider attending ACM DEV 2010 which is the first symposium on the computing for development space. The registration site for ACM DEV 2010 is posted at: http://sigdev.news.cs.nyu.edu The early bird registration deadline is Nov 15th. The capacity for ACM DEV 2010 is limited to 100, please consider registering early. The list of accepted papers are also posted in the DEV 2010 website.

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Open Innovation Africa Summit
by Ian Lawrence 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

This is a nice initiative that Nokia is spearheading with Capgemini and The World Bank to explore and foster the innovation eco-system in Africa. Considering the expertise on this list in using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the lives of underserved populations in low-income regions I thought it might be interesting. It's called the Open Innovation Africa Summit and it's happening the week of November 29th in Nairobi, Kenya! The summit aims to promote creation of new innovation services and collaboration models, which ensure continuous alignment between different players of the innovation ecosystem as well as to embed end-user driven co-creation and open innovation as critical elements to African innovation systems. They've launched a great ideation platform as part of it that revolves around the four main streams for the event: Ecosystem for Innovation Emerging Market Business Models Mobile Services Revolution Human Capital - Education for All You can check out the website and find more information here: www.innovateafrique.com We're launching official communication about the event next week but wanted to get in touch earlier to inform this list about this extraordinary initiative and to get your help providing insights and ideas (there are also 8 seats dedicated to the top contributors and people here could for sure contribute greatly at the event itself, so thought I'd give you a heads up :) Regards -- http://ianlawrence.info

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change seminar room change for 10/28
by Yaw Anokwa 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

sorry for the late notice but due to all the cse affiliates activity going on in the building, the change seminar has moved to room 403.

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Fwd: [Health IT] Medical Informatics Job Opportunities with Partners In Health
by Yaw Anokwa 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: GHDonline (Jessica Bethoney) <tech(a)ghdonline.org> Date: Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 11:10 Subject: [Health IT] Medical Informatics Job Opportunities with Partners In Health To: Yaw Anokwa <yanokwa(a)cs.washington.edu> Jessica Bethoney added a new resource to the Health IT community. Title: Medical Informatics Job Opportunities with Partners In Health Date of publication: October 28, 2010 Source: Partners In Health - PIH Posted at: http://www.ghdonline.org/tech/resource/medical-informatics-job-opportunitie… Resource summary: "There are 2 new positions open with Partners In Heatlh, please find the links below. We are seeking qualified applicants, please pass on these job descriptions or apply through our website. Haiti Software Developer (based in Boston): http://tbe.taleo.net/NA1/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=PIH&cws=1&rid=80 Medical Informatics Project Coordinator (based in Haiti): http://tbe.taleo.net/NA1/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=PIH&cws=1&rid=88" -- View this post online: <http://www.ghdonline.org/tech/resource/medical-informatics-job-opportunitie…> Visit external URL: <http://www.pih.org/> Unsubscribe or change your email notification settings: <http://www.ghdonline.org/users/yaw-anokwa/edit/> Contact the GHDonline team: <http://www.ghdonline.org/contact/> You can start a discussion about this resource by responding directly to this e-mail; it will be shared with all community members and posted as is. Files cannot be added via email attachment and must be uploaded directly to GHDonline.

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18 ICT for Development Jobs: Kenya, Taiwan, London, Tanzania, Germany, Switzerland
by Yaw Anokwa 28 Oct '10

28 Oct '10

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ijessicamb <jessica(a)devnetjobs.org> Date: Mon, Oct 25, 2010 at 10:05 PM Subject: [bytesforall_readers] 18 ICT for Development Jobs: Kenya, Taiwan, London, Tanzania, Germany, Switzerla To: bytesforall_readers(a)yahoogroups.com Dear Friends, Please find below 18 ICT for Development Job opportunities which may be of interest to some colleagues in this list. Please send your applications directly to organisations listing these jobs. Intergenerational IT Programme Officers - Intern Positions Mend the Gap Location: Kenya Last Date: November 2, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70989.shtml System Administrator/Developer The World Wide Web Foundation Location: Flexible Last Date: November 22, 2010 http://devnetjobs.tripod.com/wwwebfound-21october2010.html Information and Media Officer International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) Location: London, UK Last Date: November 19, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70982.shtml Software Engineer - Web & Database Programming AVRDC ? The World Vegetable Center Location: Taiwan Last Date: November 5, 2010 http://devnetjobs.tripod.com/avrdc-15october2010.html Information Systems Programme Officer United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Location: Bonn, Germany Last Date: November 16, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70936.shtml Director of Strategic Information MDH and Harvard School of Public Health Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Last Date: November 30, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70862.shtml Knowledge Management User Support (2 positions) United Nations Development Programme Location: Thailand Last Date: October 27, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70835.shtml Coordinator (Knowledge Production/Research) ACCORD (African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes) Location: Durban, South Africa Last Date: October 29, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70843.shtml E-Banking Adviser Commonwealth Secretariat. Location: Nairobi, Kenya Last Date: November 5, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70970.shtml Short Term Consultant : Community Data-Driven Decision Making in Education Peace Corps Location: Washigton DC and Africa Last Date: October 29, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70943.shtml Adviser, Online Marketing and Digital Networks The International Trade Centre (ITC) Location: Geneva, Switzerland Last Date: November 11, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70935.shtml Volunteer Intern Community IT Trainer Kenya Mend the Gap Location: Kenya Last Date: November 10, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70655.shtml Communication, Information, & Copyediting Intern ECPAT International Location: Bangkok, Thailand Last Date: November 19, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70934.shtml Programme Officer Public Information and Media UNCCD Location: Bonn, Germany Last Date: November 30, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70969.shtml Programme Officer-Knowledge Management/ Information Systems United Nations University Location: Bonn, Germany Last Date: November 14, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70967.shtml Conduct a study on the potential to utilize information and communication technologies (ICTs) to facilitate and promote inclusion, public participation and accountability in local governance in South Africa SALGA, with the support of the GTZ-Strengthening Local Governance Programme Location: South Africa Last Date: October 29, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70814.shtml Knowledge Management Officer (KMO) Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Location: Apia Last Date: October 29, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70613.shtml Senior Information Officer/Spokesperson (P5) Special Tribunal for Lebanon Location: Netherlands Last Date: November 4, 2010 http://216.197.119.113/jobman/publish/article_70571.shtml Best regards, Jessica Matthews Outreach Coordinator DevNetJobs.org www.devnetjobs.org

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Fwd: GSEC: 11/4 application deadline
by Rohit Chaudhri 27 Oct '10

27 Oct '10

fyi, some students in Peru are looking to team up with UW students for the upcoming GSEC. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: GSEC <gsec(a)u.washington.edu> Date: Tue, Oct 26, 2010 at 3:23 PM Subject: GSEC: 11/4 application deadline To: xuran(a)uw.edu, rohitc(a)cs.washington.edu, "Ksenia Y. Malkin" < kmalkin(a)u.washington.edu>, bjames08(a)gmail.com, ong.wuen(a)gmail.com, seong89(a)uw.edu, damacheng_cn(a)hotmail.com, johnnie.mobley(a)hotmail.com, hughesjb(a)uw.edu, bhrosen(a)uw.edu, ganbagn(a)uw.edu, kerriulloa(a)gmail.com, launchpad15(a)gmail.com, rosenjz(a)uw.edu, "Joe C. Phan" <jphan(a)uw.edu>, kenkoseki(a)kiu.biglobe.ne.jp, annad5(a)uw.edu, sonali(a)uw.edu, Budhee_ok(a)yahoo.co.id, joshscotland(a)gmail.com, cdinni(a)uw.edu, abub(a)uw.edu, zeyuz(a)uw.edu, elispring(a)hotmail.com, lnd(a)uw.edu, gauravee(a)uw.edu, leejs(a)uw.edu, kelly.cyt1013(a)gmail.com, kayle(a)uw.edu, hemanat(a)uw.edu, ajakins(a)uw.edu Greetings from GSEC! I wanted to send a reminder for the GSEC application deadline - Nov 4, 2010<http://www.foster.washington.edu/centers/gbc/globalsocialentrepreneurshipco…>! We also have a special opportunity for UW students to partner with Peruvian students, on the project detailed below. Jose is specifically looking for MBA expertise, but if you believe you can offer other relevant expertise, please feel free to contact him. All correspondence should be directed to Jose (I’m just the messenger). *GSEC Proposal, summary: * Several developed countries have found many advantages in the implementation of electronic health records. A majority of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of health information technologies in improving quality and efficiency in the collection and management of the patients´ information; even more, these systems tend to have a good acceptability from the users. In Peru, we may use this technology but there are a lot of fears for the cost of the system. However, we believe in all the benefits this system implies, and we are actually implementing a project for the use of electronic health records in some health establishments in Callao, Peru. Now, we would like to make a cost-effectiveness study in order to prove that this new system has less cost than the current system, as well as having more advantages; and therefore, to assure the sustainability of this new technology. *Contact:* José Enrique Pérez Lu MD. Cayetano Heredia University, Global Health program Lima Peru T: (511) 319-0000 anexo 2712 C: (511) 9 999 8 7784 Email: joseperezlu(a)gmail.com jose.perez.l(a)upch.pe

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HCDE, Photovoice, Methods Experiment... will you snap a photo or two?
by Cortney Leach 27 Oct '10

27 Oct '10

Greetings Change Agents! I am part of an iSchool-Evans-HCDE student research team that is gathering photographic evidence to understand what people like about places where they use computers and the Internet: libraries, coffee shops, community centers, work, home, etc. We want to understand the features of these venues that people value. Think about a venue where you use computers and the Internet. What do you value about that space? Here’s how you can help… Take a photo that depicts a feature of a venue where you use computers and the Internet that you value. Email your photo to uw.photo.submit(a)gmail.com. You will then be prompted to answer a few questions to help us understand your photo. (Less than 5 minutes.) We welcome multiple photos. Please email them individually, so that we may connect survey information with particular photos. We are interested in content; we want to see how people will use photos to answer questions. We are not interested in the quality of the camera, composition, professional skills, etc. Thanks in advance for your time, creativity, and participation. If you have questions, or are interested in our findings, please contact us. (Or, me:) Joe Sullivan, jcs23(a)uw.edu Cortney Leach, cjohnso(a)uw.edu Rachel Scott, rbterry(a)uw.edu -- Cortney Leach MPA/MLIS Candidate 2011 | University of Washington Research Assistant | U.S. IMPACT Study

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