The technicians who participated in the workshop are responsible for the university’s computer labs. Kyambogo suffers from high maintenance costs due to viruses and other security issues. Energy costs are also high. Because thin client reduces the overall number of PCs, the maintenance and energy needs decrease significantly. The Uganda Institute of ICT, IICD’s capacity development partner in Uganda, also participated in the workshop.

Two solutions were examined during the workshop: N-computing and Userful. A Ugandan representative of N-computing explained the theory behind thin client. IICD’s Gaël Hernandez Bourlon-Buon demonstrated an alternative product, Userful. This was made possible with the support of a Canadian Userful rep who participated via Skype and webcam. Participants spent the afternoon installing both solutions themselves to create a network of 3 users.

All the participants found the workshop useful, and said they would seriously consider using thin client in future. IICD has been supporting Kyambogo University – one of the largest in Uganda – since 2002, helping to develop and digitize training courses and teaching modules for the teacher training college.