Imperial Royale Hotel , 29th – 30th March 2012,  Kampala – Uganda.

Details on abstract submission will follow shortly

Objective: The Conference is the first of its kind, with the main objective of providing an International forum for presentation and discussion of research on knowledge and know-how management, as well as recent advances on data and knowledge bases.
The purpose of the conference is to identify challenging problems facing the development of future knowledge and information systems in the African context, and to shape future directions of research by soliciting and reviewing high quality, applied and theoretical research findings.

Why the theme:
Knowledge Management is by far identified as the hottest topic in virtually all aspects of human activity. The influence of knowledge management is felt in all sectors, including agriculture, medicine, education, politics, science, to mention a few. It has inevitably been realized that knowledge powers human action and directs all interventions. It is therefore apparent that without knowledge, action is futile.
On the basis of the above background, the above theme proves timely in the African context. Whereas knowledge management and all associated best practices have been well received and embraced by the western world, Africa still seems to have a long way to go. It is therefore found appropriate enough to set off, with first things first. The conference will seek to explore all facets of knowledge architecting in the African context, with a substantial feel that at the dawn of it all, participants will have come up with a common understanding on the direction that Africa must take to cope with the rest of the world. Consequent conferences will thenceforth seek to consider other key aspects, after laying this foundation. This hence justifies the choice of exploring the numerous knowledge architecting models as the most appropriate for the conference.

Who should attend: Knowledge generators, researchers, scientists, academicians, knowledge managers, Library and Information Science professionals, IT and ICT professionals, Projects administrators, Policy makers in the fields of knowledge and information practices to exchange the latest thinking and new paradigms in best practices of knowledge management in the Sub-Saharan Region. The conference premise is that we are united by a common objective: to build National Memories to support Development in Africa.

Organizer: Information Science Foundation for Eastern Africa (ISFEA)
ISFEA is a Regional association for the Library and Information Science (LIS) community founded in 2005 to combine expertise from across the region’s information community, to link national communities more effectively and to encourage new partnerships to develop between the many different areas and organisations that they represent. In doing so, it aims to build wider awareness of the information profession’s valuable contributions to regional and national development, and to encourage others to make greater use of this expertise. It was established in response to the challenges of perception of the Information Science fields that result from limited awareness of the human resource skills possessed by Information Science professionals. It brings together a number of highly qualified and experienced Information Science professionals including Library Science; Knowledge Management, Records, Archive and Documentation management; Information Management, Data management; Information, Communication and Technology management; Book trade and Industry ready to handle all kinds of Information work in diversified fields in the region. ISFEA derives its mandate from the need to establish the Information Science identity within the African context so that it is perceived as the cornerstone for Democracy, Education and Regional Development. More information about the Information Science Foundation for Eastern Africa can be obtained from www.acu.ac.uk/libraries/link-issue-3.pdf and http://www.isfea.net/ ISFEA in collaboration with TWAZ, The Academy of Sciences and Microsoft Research will refund air transport expenses for conference participants.

Themes for Abstracts: Listed by Commissions below.
Papers may be from a country-specific, regional, or global perspective. Submissions from international collaborations are encouraged.

Commission 1: Knowledge Generation and Usage through Research for Development

- Research as a curricular element: best practices and experiences in Knowledge Generation.
- The Knowledge Generation Life Cycle
- Knowledge Innovation/Discovery Case Studies
- Observatory projects: impact of Knowledge Generation in social development outcomes
- Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Studies in health sciences
- Applying modern Scientific Approaches to Indigenous Knowledge Research
- Knowledge generation and usage in traditional medicine: case studies from communities of practice
- Knowledge Generation Practices in Africa – A Focus on Sub Saharan Africa

Commission 2: Library Science and Knowledge Management

- Libraries’ Role in Knowledge Management
- Efforts towards adopting the concept of Knowledge Bank, a one stop centre for Innovations and Research References
- Digital Libraries as Propellers of New Knowledge Discovery
- Role of Library and Information Science bodies in adopting Knowledge Management to build National Memories.

Commission 3: IT Paradigms and Tendencies in Knowledge Management

- Integration of ICT in Knowledge Discovery
- Information Storage and Retrieval and Interface Technology
- Application of knowledge generation techniques to semantic modeling
- Object-Oriented Database Management Systems (OODBMS) in knowledge architecting
- Automated acquisition of data and knowledge bases
- Development and management of heterogeneous knowledge bases

Commission 4: Legal Aspect and Policies in Knowledge Generation

- Quality Assurance (QA) Imperatives in Knowledge Generation
- Intellectual Property Rights Considerations in Knowledge Generation
- Education curriculum and accreditations in Knowledge Management

Registration: To register for the conference and submit abstracts: Online registration will be available soon. One can access the pdf version of the registration form; Click here for the Conference Registration form and Conference Poster .Below is information about registration fees. Please look out for Registration fee Payment Modalities on the Conference registration form above.

For questions and arrangements for travel:
Contact Conference Registration and Public Relations: Ms. Harriet Apio; Tel.+256-772-572137 ; conference@isfea.net 

Sponsors: The Conference is likely to be attended by Over 200 LIS and ICT professionals and stakeholders. This is an ideal platform for organizations and companies that want to establish or strengthen their connections with a global business especially in Africa in Information service and products. Organizers will be glad to work with sponsors to customize their sponsorship package to include high visibility aspects. Click here: Conference Sponsorship Package.

The Objectives of Chapter formation include;
- To established a strong, sustainable and effective leadership and good financial management for ISFEA.
- To distribute responsibilities and work together for the success of ear marked projects.
- To create and maintain an effective membership base to reflect a strong and effective organisation.

The Chapter Committee comprises of;

President,
Vice President,
Treasurer,
Administrative Secretary,
Events/Projects Secretary,
Media and Public Relations Secretary.

The ISFEA Kampala Chapter was formed on Saturday, 5th August 2006 at the Tourist Hotel, Kampala, Uganda.  This was after a stakeholders workshop where participants suggested that this Chapter Committee should be expanded to include 8 members instead of 6.  An Interim Chapter committee was formed consisting of the following members;
1. Ms. Faith Akiteng
2. Ms. Nansonga Juliet
3. Ms. Apio Harriet
4. Mr. Sennoga Richard
5. Mr. Ssebandeke Christopher
6. Ms. Rhoda Nalubega
7. Ms. Sarah Kaddu
8. Mr. Muntoyera Anthony.

The first Kampala Chapter Committee meeting was held on Friday, 15th September 2006 at Tourist Hotel Restaurant. Terms of Reference for members were discussed and members were nominated and elected for different offices as follows;
1. Mr. Sennoga Richard – Kampala Chapter President
2. Ms. Sarah Kaddu – Vice President
3. Ms. Rhoda Nalubega – Treasurer
4. Mr. Muntoyera Anthony – Assistant Treasurer
5. Ms. Nansonga Juliet – Administrative Secretary
6. Ms. Faith Akiteng – Assistant Secretary
7. Ms. Apio Harriet – Media and Public Relations Secretary
8. Mr. Ssebandeke Christopher – Events/Projects Secretary

Details of the formation of ISFEA Kampala Chapter were covered in the ISFEA Magazine for August 2006; ISFEA Magazine Aug 06

This committee is involved in many ISFEA Activities including organising ISFEA Monthly fellowship Presentations, retreats and the Upcoming Knowledge Management Conference. It is working with the ISFEA Board to implement the annual workplans;ISFEA Workplan 2007

Watch out for the details

ABOUT UGANDA
Uganda lies astride the Equator, right in the heart of Africa. It is bordered by Kenya in the East, Tanzania in the South, Rwanda in the South West, Congo in the west and Sudan in the North.

Main languages spoken are English (official), Luganda, Bantu and Nilotic languages, as well as Swahili.

Uganda is a unique safari destination basically because of its large, forested area with Lowland rain forest.

The Afro-montane forest, found especially on Mount Elgon, as well as its accessibility, gives a spectacular view of the forest creatures like chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, butterflies and birds.

Going through the country’s game reserves, one is likely to encounter safari favorites like lions, buffalo, elephant, leopard, giraffe and other several species of animals not found anywhere else in Africa.

Uganda is naturally endowed with lakes – Lake Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, Edward and several crater-lakes, especially around the Rwenzori foothills.

The existence of such water bodies facilitates a relatively moist climate, with the countryside greener and more fertile compared to the semi-desert northern side.

Around these water bodies are different bird species not easily found anywhere in Africa, especially the papyrus gonolek and the shoebill.

The people of Ugandan in general, are very kind and friendly and are very approachable.

About Kampala

Kampala, the Capital City of Uganda, much like Rome was originally built, is spread over seven hills and takes its fabled name from Kasozi K’impala, interpreted as “the hills of the antelopes”.

The origin of Kampala goes backto 1891 when the Kabaka of Buganda held his court on Rubaga and Mengo Hills.

Today as you stand on the hills within Kampala you are blessed with magnificent evergreen views intermingled with red tiled villas, green iron roofed bungalows and tall modern buildings surrounded by a lush green countryside and the nearby Lake Victoria.

While Kampala is often referred to as the greenest city in Africa, it is also the heart of Uganda, serving as the center of commercial life and the seat of government.

It is a vibrant modern metropolis adorned with many beautiful gardens and parks which provides a colorful oasis in the midst of the urban landscape for both the citizens and visitors to admire.

Hotel facilities range from the best in international standards with state-of-the-art conference facilities, to accommodations for the more budget-minded traveler. Kampala, with a population of approximately 1 million, is by far the largest city in Uganda. It is not yet completely overwhelmed with traffic and sprawl like Nairobi and Lagos. Additionally, Kampala is very safe to walk around, even at night. Kampala City, barely 39km from Entebbe International Airport, offers a wide range of up market and medium accommodation. Although an effort is being made to book many of the international delegates at Protea Hotel Kampala, where the conference is scheduled to take place, numerous other hotels exist, right in close proximity to the conference venue.

A comprehensive list of these hotels, their rates and contact information will be made available on the conference web page at the earliest. Kasubi Hill is the home of the Kasubi Tombs, a sacred burial ground of Buganda Kings. The Uganda Museum sits atop Kololo Hill in close proximity with the conference venue, and features a hands-on collection of traditional musical instruments.

http://www.visituganda.com/