Strathmore to offer course in IBM z systems

Strathmore University will from January 2016 offer an undergraduate course in IBM z Systems in a deal with US tech giant IBM.

Strathmore University’s iLabAfrica will start skills training for IBM mainframe servers, making the varsity the first African university with the capacity for training on IBM z Systems technology.

IBM said it will install the technology infrastructure at iLabAfrica and help train lecturers at Strathmore’s faculty of information technology.

Announcing the development, Joseph Sevilla, director of iLabAfrica said the university recognised that the new mainframe technology was fast becoming the backbone of business critical applications and training professionals with skills in mainframe z technology was aligned to both the university’s policy of training relevance to industry needs and Kenya’s ICT Masterplan.

“Strathmore iLabAfrica is honored by IBM’s decision to expand our partnership that will expose our faculty and students to the latest mainframe z technologies," he said.

Speaking at the event, Suresh Ramakrishnan, business manager, System z Ecosystem Development at IBM Philippines, said the partnership is hinged on helping faculty strengthen their programmes so students can compete in any industry.