The Inauguration of ISACA Student Group of Kabale University

The theme of the day: The Journey of Women & Men in Technology Leadership Begins When They Make Early Career Decisions

On the 6^th day of March 2020, a team from ISACA Kampala Chapter accepted Kabale University’s invitation to come for the inauguration of ISACA Student Group of Kabale University (ISGKAB). From 6^th March 2020 and onwards, ISGKAB will be affiliated to ISACA Kampala Chapter and Further steps are also ongoing to fulfill the requirements and have recognition from ISACA International.

ISACA is an independent, nonprofit, global association that engages in the development, adoption, and use of globally accepted, industry-leading knowledge and practices for information systems. ISACA currently serves more than 165,000 constituents (members and professionals holding ISACA certifications) in more than 180 countries for over 50 years. The job titles of members are such as IS auditor, consultant, educator, IS security professional, regulator, chief information officer, chief information security officer and internal auditor. They work in nearly all industry categories.

There is a network of ISACA chapters with more than 200 chapters established in over 180 countries. Chapters provide education, resource sharing, advocacy, networking and other benefits. ISACA Kampala Chapter is a local/national ISACA Chapter in Uganda. The Chapter sponsors local educational seminars and workshops. They promote and elevate the visibility of the IS audit, control and security profession throughout the Kampala and surrounding areas in Uganda. ISGKAB will be utilizing the industrial expertise of ISACA Kampala Chapter members in the attempt to realize the objectives of the Group.

When Mr. Nkamwesiga Nicholas joined the University in August 2019, he realised that students were unaware of ISACA and weren’t conversant with technology leadership and governance which is usually learned beyond the 4-walls of the classroom. He informed the management of the relevant Faculty about his wish to have students-led academic associations that will boost the learning & sharing of knowledge acquired from outside the classroom. With the management’s permission, the students from the Faculty of Computing, Library and Information Science were called upon to mobilise among themselves to form ISACA Student Group of Kabale University. Much emphasis was put on the importance of gender inclusivity more especially on having ladies taking up tech-leadership roles both within school and industry. The students formed a SheLeads Committee within the executive leadership of ISGKAB. The group is being led by the president, Mr. Benson Sibobugingo who is deputised by Ms. Nalwadda Hajjarah.

During the inauguration of ISGKAB, the ladies on the SheLeads committee impressed the audience when they emphasized that they have a leadership role to play both within the school and industry communities. They also shared their future aspirations concerning the technology world like advocating for the creation of cyberspace for young women, advocating for more young ladies to pursue a technology career, undergoing continuous professional development to remain competitive and move with technology advancements and many others. Everyone was amused and the team from ISACA Kampala Chapter pledged to mentor these ladies as they pursue their career in the IT field. The team further promised to engage them in various activities happening within the Chapter. The Academic Advocate for the group also pledged to keep a strong focus on the ladies interested in taking up leadership roles in the field of IT.

The inauguration ceremony was inaugurated by the Academic Registrar of Kabale University, Mr. Narcicir Tibenderana, who represented the management. He applauded the inauguration and added his voice to the other speaker’s remarks by congratulating the students upon the achievement of such a milestone within Kabale University. He emphasised the need to have all students, who study computing as a course or program, to drive the success of ISGKAB since we are all affected by the use of information technology (like information security, cybercrimes, and others) in our lives. Mr. Tibenderana appealed the ladies to exploit the opportunities in ISGKAB to become better technology professionals and leaders after school. He also pledged, at either an individual level or through the University management, to support the group both financially and strategically.

The Ag. Director-ICT Services, Mr. Jones Murangira, who has been working hard to see ISGKAB start, also graced the occasion. He encouraged student members and all well-wishers to embrace the ISACA community at Kabale University and go further to pursue additional knowledge and certifications from ISACA. Mr. Murangira also pledged to work with the ISGKAB executive to see the Group thriving.

One of the lessons learned was that the ladies are aspiring to take key roles that drive to their success in the IT field and to realise their vision, they need mentorship and many volunteers who are passionate about the ‘SheTriumphs’. Every global citizen, therefore, needs to champion the success of ladies in technology.

A challenge at hand is that there are many technology-aspiring young ladies across many universities and High Schools around the globe who are unable to access mentors and yet potential mentors are living. It is, therefore, a plea to all mentors to look out for such young ladies.

There is, however, a great opportunity at ISACA, through the SheLeadsTech on engage online-platform, where the aspiring women in technology leadership are being empowered and many ladies need to be brought on board.

It’s a call to all the well-wishers to expedite the noble duty of supporting the young ladies’ pathways to their IT career success.

ISACA Student Group of Kabale University (ISGKAB)

Email: isgkab@kab.ac.ug
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISGKAB/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8840316/