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Publication Open Access Comparative Analysis of Computer Literacy's Effect on Employee Competency at Rwanda Environmental Authority and The New Times Newspaper in Kigali, Rwanda(Kenya Library Association, 2016) Nyamboga, Constantine Matoke; Ongus, Raymond Wafula; Nyiraneza, Gladyce MathaniaEmployees at Rwanda Environmental Management Authority(REMA) - a government agency and The New Times Newspaper - a private company were compared by sampling 44 employees out of 60 from REMA as well as 61 employees out of 80 from the New Times Newspaper, respectively. Yamane formula was used to determine sample sizes for questionnaire and interview guide administration. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 18 was used for frequencies, percentages, weighted means, standard deviations, standard deviations and t-test. Multiple regressions helped to determine relationships between the independent and dependent variables. Majority (89%) of REMA middle level employees used computers for printing and videoconferencing (89%). At the New Times Newspaper, all (100%) of their counterparts used computers mainly for printing and videoconferencing (86.7%). All (100%) of the REMA operational employees regularly used computers, whereas majority (95%) of their counterparts at The New Times Newspaper did the same. For REMA, the correlation coefficient R was 0.851. This meant a strong, positive correlation between computer literacy and employee competency. the Coefficient of Determination R square = 0.724 meant that 72.4% of the variation in employee competency at REMA resulted from the stochastic model developed, with 27.6% unexplained.Similarly, for The New Times, R was 0.767, also signifying a strong, positive correlation between the variables. R square = 0.588 meant that 58.8% of the variation in employee competency was attributed to the model. The remaining 41.2% was unexplained. With p<0.05 the correlations differed significantly, probably due to organizational differences. Recommendations included: hands-on employee orientation on basic computer skills and regular, in-service, computer skills enhancement. In the long term, a government-private sector partnership, to continually upgrade employee computer literacy skills was recommended.Publication Open Access Implementation and Usage of Management Information System for Academic Processes at Mount Kenya University, Rwanda(IndianJournals.com, 2017-10-01) Mukuru, Ssessazi Alfred; Ongus, Raymond Wafula; Mbaabu, Morris GitongaThe present study sought to find out how both staff and students of Mount Kenya University, Kigali, Rwanda used the management information system (MIS) to benefit from academic processes and how execution of academic processes affected by MIS functionalities. A case study research design was used. Sample size of 164 staffs and 354 students were obtained from target populations of 251 staffs and 3,072 students, respectively. The coordinator of information and communication technology and librarian were interviewed as well. Questionnaire and interview instruments were used to collect data using stratified random and purposive sampling, respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (V.16.0) and presented using frequencies, percentages, weighted means, standard deviations and multiple regressions to determine the correlation between variables. Findings revealed that majority of both staff and students agreed that the MIS was helpful in registration and retrieval of information. It was also found that MIS reduced long queues for services as revealed by both staff (92.07%) and students (85.01%). Moreover, multiple regression analysis determined that R, the coefficient of correlation, was 0.97, signifying a very strong, positive, multiple correlation between the usage of the MIS by staff and the implementation of the university’s academic processes. The coefficient of determination R2 =0.955 indicated that 95.50% of the variability in execution of academic processes depended on stochastic model developed, whereas the remaining 4.50% was due to factors beyond the control of the study. On the other hand, R, the coefficient of correlation, was determined to be 0.901 also signifying a very strong, positive, multiple correlation between the usage of the MIS functionalities and the implementation of the university’s academic processes by students. Similarly, the coefficient of determination R2 =0.812 indicated that 81.20% of the variability in the implementation of academic processes depended on the stochastic model developed, whereas the remaining 18.80% was attributed to factors beyond the control of the study. The two coefficients of correlations were found to be significant at the 95% confidence level. Recommendations of the study included the provision of uninterrupted connectivity to the Internet as well as increase of the available bandwidth. This is because disruptions in connectivity to the Internet tended to inconvenience the MIS users. Provision of formal and informal training on MIS functionalities should also be offered more frequently to minimise inefficiencies in MIS usage. In addition, communication via MIS should be improved to make the system more interactive the individual use by posting timely notifications and providing the option for feedback, provision of an active electronic link to the library online public access catalogue and other informational services of the university such as the electronic newsletter, electronic prospectus, audio and video streaming of teaching and learning materials, including provision of downloads of electronic lecture notes as well as uploads of assignments in electronic form.Publication Open Access User interface Design and Information Systems Usage: A Case Study of TVET Information System at IPRC Kigali(International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research, 2018-01) Mugume, Nkuranga David; Ongus, Raymond Wafula; Mbaabu, Morris Gitonga; Mukuru, Ssessaazi AlfredThe purpose of this study was to assess the effect of User Interface Design on Information Systems Usage for the Technical Vocational Education and Training Information System at (TVET-IS) at Integrated Polytechnic and Regional Centre (IPRC) Kigali, with the following objectives; to examine the design of the user interface of TVET information systems at IPRC Kigali; to evaluate the level of usage of the TVET information system at IPRC Kigali; and to establish the relationship between TVET Information system user interface design and its usage. The study was a descriptive research design with a simple random sampling method used to select academic, administrative, and ICT staff respondents for administration of the questionnaire. From a target population of 308, a sample size of 174 staff was selected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 with tables, frequencies and charts used for presentation. TVET IS components considered in this research, were interface usability, interface layout and the interface design technology. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.587, P<0.01) was found between interface layout and IS Usage implying that the relationship was positive and statistically significant. Similarly r = 0.743, P<0.01 for the relationship between interface design Technology and IS Usage implying that the relationship was positive and statistically significant. Correlation coefficient (r = 0.642) and p-value (0.000) was produced between interface usability and IS usage meaning the relationship was positive and statistically significant. The TVET IS was used for data entry, retrieval and data security to a very minimal degree. The finding therefore showed that the relationship between User Interface Design and IS usage with multiple correlation coefficient R = 0.994, provided evidence that user interface design and TVET IS usage was positive and statistically significant. The recommendation after this study and findings is that IPRC Kigali administration should set up policies and mechanism to have all its activities done online with much emphasis on TVET Information System since most modules for the activities are included in this system. The online activities would include those activities that bring incentives to the staff and activities like accreditation of programs and accreditation of schools be done online through TVET-IS. More coaching is paramount to the users of the system so that they are very conversant with the system and technologies used. Workforce Development Authority should only accept online applications for accreditation and its approval to IPRC through TVET Information. The government should set the policy where online services are paramount and this would encourage institutions like IPRC Kigali to use the available systems like TVET-IS to the maximum.Publication Open Access Management Information System Usage and its Influence on Academic Processes in Mount Kenya University, Kigali Campus, Rwanda(Journal of Information Science, Systems and Technology, 2018-02) Mukuru, Ssessazi Alfred; Ongus, Raymond Wafula; Gitonga, Morris Mbaabu; Nyamboga, Constantine MatokeThe study investigated how both staff and students of Mount Kenya University, Kigali used the university’s Management Information System (MIS) to perform and benefit from academic processes and how the functionalities of the MIS influenced the execution of academic processes. Sample size of 164 staff and 354 students were obtained in the case study from target populations of 251 staff and 3072 students respectively, using stratified random and purposive sampling techniques, with the students sampled from the seven schools of the university. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the staff and students, while the Coordinator of ICT and Librarian were interviewed. Findings revealed that the MIS was considered helpful for student registration by staff (89.63%) and students (88.18%); for information retrieval by staff (90.24%) and students (93.66%) respectively; for documents generation by staff (91.46%) and students (86.74%); for enhancing students’ awareness of academic programs by the students (95.39%). MIS reduced long queues for services as revealed by staff (92.07%) and students (85.01%). Multiple regression analysis revealed a very strong positive correlation (R2 =0.95) between MIS usage by staff and perceived effectiveness of implementation of the university’s academic processes (R2 = 0.95), and similarly for the students (R2 = 0.901), with both correlations significant at the 95% confidence level. Recommendations of the study included the provision of uninterrupted Internet connectivity with adequate bandwidth to enable readier and faster intranet and Internet access. Provision of training on MIS functionalities for staff should be offered more frequently to minimize inefficiencies in MIS usage. Communications through the MIS should be improved in various ways, including posting timely notifications, providing feedback facilities and providing electronic links to the library’s Online Public Access Catalogue other information services, and various published digital documents and learning materials of the university.Publication Open Access Data Security Preparedness Levels and Online Banking Services: A Case Study of Information Technology Department of Access Bank, Kigali, Rwanda(IJTEEE, 2016) MUHIRE, Dieudonne; ONGUS, Prof. Raymond WafulaData security has been the main approach to deal with loss of data. The motivation of this study was inspired by the continuing concern of ineffective data/information security in companies leading to considerable monetary losses. The aim of this study was to examine the main causes of data insecurity and to establish how data security preparedness levels at Access Bank, Kigali, Rwanda affect online banking services. This study used questionnaires and interviews for data collection. All fifty nine IT employees and their managers at Access Bank represented the total number of population. Therefore the total population of fifty nine (59) was the sample size. As this was a small population size, a purposive sampling technique was used as a sampling method. After collecting data, the interpretation and the summary of quantitative data was done using statistics such as graphs, frequency tables, weighted means, standard deviations, and percentages to enable describe the relationships established. This was achieved by the use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 17.0 (SPSS V.17.0) software as the tool of analysis. Findings revealed that internal based attacks are the first major cause of data insecurity in the company as indicated by 50.90% of respondents. The multiple regression found that r the coefficient of correlation was 0.793. This meant that there was strong positive multiple correlation between data security preparedness levels and online banking services at Access Bank, Kigali Rwanda. Moreover the coefficient of determination r2 =0.628 indicated that 62.8% of the total variation in online banking services depended on stochastic model developed whereas the remaining 37.2% was attributed to factors beyond the control of the study. Since the correlation was strong, this relationship was found to be significant. Recommendations were to give regular assistance to customers to avoid identity theft, to provide training to every employee of the Bank and to introduce additional security measures stated in this study to deal with internal incidents.Publication Open Access Smartphone Usage and Self-Directed Learning Activities at Mount Kenya University, Kigali, Rwanda(Researchpublish.com, 2016-12) RUVUTA, Jean Claude; ONGUS, Prof. Raymond WafulaThe purpose of this study was to assess the effects of smartphone usage on self-directed learning activities by considering the case of Mount Kenya University Kigali, Rwanda. The targeted population was 1,984 students of six schools of Mount Kenya University, Kigali and 180 lecturers, from which a sample of 95 students and 64 lecturers was obtained using simple random sampling technique by applying Slovin’s formula. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. The analysis and interpretation of quantitative data was done using statistics such as frequencies, percentages, weighted means, standard deviations and Multiple Regression Analysis. This was achieved using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS V.20.0) and Microsoft Excel 2013 software as the tools for analysis. Qualitative data was interpreted using content analysis. The research findings was presented using graphs and frequency tables. The analysis of the study indicated that 89 (93.70%) of the respondents students owns smartphones and 87 (91.60 %) of them participate in self-directed learning activities such as 85 (89.50%) of the respondent participating in knowledge sharing and collaborative learning activities and 71 (74.70%) of the respondents confirmed to participating in self-guided reading and researching activities. From the Multiple regression analysis, it was found that the correlation coefficient r=0.591, signifying a moderately strong, positive correlation between the usage of smartphones and self-directed learning activities. Recommendations included, conducting awareness campaign on potential benefits of smartphone in education, promoting self-directed learning at higher learning institution and breaking barriers that compromise information access such internet access facility.Publication Open Access Diurnal and seasonal variations of pathogenic bacteria in Dandora Sewage Treatment Plant wastewater, Nairobi, Kenya(International Research Journals, 2013-02) Musyoki, Abednego M.; Suleiman, Mbaruk A.; Mbithi, John N.; Maingi, John M.Diurnal and seasonal variation of pathogenic bacteria diversity and loads at Dandora Sewage Treatment Plant (DSTP), and compliance of effluent with local and international statutory requirements was assessed. Standard bacteriological techniques were used to describe bacteria content from wastewater samples collected from influent and effluent sources. Diurnal variation of bacterial loads occurred only in the effluent (F ꞊ 22.788, p ꞊ 0.000) with lower counts in the afternoon. Seasonal variation was observed in both influent (F ꞊ 14.795, p ꞊ 0.001) and the effluent (F ꞊ 23.574, p = 0.000), with more pollution during the dry season. The effluent microbiological quality, irrespective of diurnal and seasonal changes, did not adhere to local and international statutory requirements for discharge into natural environment. The effluents were polluted with pathogens including; Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella aerogenes. The health risk posed to downstream users of DSTP effluent occurs notwithstanding the time of the day or season. The findings in this study suggest need for appropriate measures to monitor and control the microbiological quality of DSTP effluent and other similar facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, to ensure public health safety in line with the millennium Development Goals.Publication Open Access Water-borne bacterial pathogens in surface waters of Nairobi River and health implication to communities downstream Athi River(Mount Kenya University, 2013-03) ABEDNEGO M. MUSYOKI, ABEDNEGO M.; SULEIMAN, MBARUK A.; MBITHI, JOHN N.; MAINGI, JOHN M.The quality of surface water in Nairobi River and the adjacent river Athi was assessed to ascertain whether it meets local and international microbiological standards for safe human consumption. Standard bacteriological techniques were used to describe bacteria content from water samples collected from the two confluent sources. The waters were highly contaminated with human pathogenic bacteria. The most dominant bacteria in combined waters of the two rivers was Escherichia coli (1.0 x 104 ± 2.6 x 103 / 100 mL) while the least was Shigella flexneri (1.2 x 101 ± 1.2 x 101 / 100 mL). Other bacteria were Klebsiella aerogenes (7.4 x 101 ± 1.8 x 101 / 100 mL), Enterococcus faecalis (3.6 x 103 ± 3.2 x 103 / 100 mL), Salmonella typhi (2.1 x 102 ± 1.3 x 102 / 100 mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.5 x 102 ± 1.1 x 102 / 100 mL), Salmonella paratyphi (1.6 x 101 ±1.1 x 101 / 100 mL), and Vibrio cholerae (5.6 x 102 ± 1.0 x 102 / 100 mL). Microbiological quality of the surface water was unacceptably high above compliance level of national standards, and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water and agricultural use. The water from these rivers is not potable, and poses a health risk to communities that rely on the rivers as primary sources of domestic and subsistence irrigation use. These findings in water scarce region of the world underline the challenges a number of developing countries are facing currently and in long-term into the future. Lessons learnt in this study would suggest appropriate measures are necessary to control pollution of similar rivers in sub-Saharan regions in particular and developing countries in general to ensure availability of clean water supplies to large concentrated populations in cities within the Millennium Development Goals.