The Open Swahili Localization Project
	Department of Computer Science - UDSM

Dr. Twaakyondo

Dr. Hashim M. Twaakyondo is a senior lecturer and Director of Center for Virtual Learning, University of Dar Es salaam. He has been involved in teaching computers science subjects, mainly operating systems, computer systems and programming languages. He has been involved in various projects both locally and internationally. Dr. Twaakyondo is the originator of the Kiswahili Linux (klnX) research project. He started the project as a student project, later on he developed the project proposal and submitted it to UNDP for funding. On the donors conference, the Swedish Embassy (SIDA) indicated an interest on the proposal, there after negotiations went on, and now the Swedish Embassy (SIDA) is funding the first phase.

Dr. Twaakyondo, born in Lushoto 1956, attended his primary education at Ragwi primary school, Usagara Secondary School, Mazengo high school, Chang'ombe Teachers Collage and there after obtained BSc general at the University of Dar es Salaam in 1984. In 1988 he obtained his MEng. (Info) at Shishu University Japan, and a PhD in 1996 at the same University.

Dr.Sewangi

ENGLISH:

Dr. Seleman Simon Sewangi, born in 1957 in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, completed his M.A in Linguistics and African Languages at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, in 1993. He obtained his Ph.D in Computational Linguistics at the University of Helsinki in Finland in 2001.
Dr Sewangi has currently a position as Research Fellow at the Institute of Kiswahili Research at the University of Dar es Salaam. His area of research includes Corpus Linguistics and Computational terminography.

"The KiLinux Project is a door through which Swahili speakers, with their language, are introduced to the world of Information Technology. Additionally the project paves the way for the compilation of a Swahili specialized dictionary of computer terms."

Prof. Mkilaha

ENGLISH:

Prof. Iddi Suleiman Nyangarika Mkilaha holds a Dr. Eng. (1996), M. Eng. (1988) both from Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan and B.Sc. (Eng.) (Mechanical) (1984), from the University of Dar es Salaam.
His areas of specialization are Mechanical, Energy and Environmental Engineering. He has research interests in ICT and its applications in teaching, learning, energy and environmental applications which saw him through the project on Localization of Linux programs into Kiswahili.
Prof. Mkilaha has published enormously in local and international in areas of Internal Combustion Engines, Pollution control especially Toxic metal control from combustion system as well as computer applications in Engineering, the areas he is researching and lecturing.

Kenny

ENGLISH:

My name is Kennedy F.Mwakisole. I obtained Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Dar es Salaam on november, 2004 and Master of Science in Computer Science on December, 2008. Am working with University of Dar es salaam as Assistant Lecturer at the Center for Virtual Learning (CVL).

Currenlty, am a technical coordinator in the klnX project and . The main objective of this project is to localize english software into Kiswahili language. I like to participate in this project because almost all the software, Operating System and Websites in Tanzania are in English language spoken by few Tanzanians which resulted into information poverty though technology becomes cheaper and cheaper, so language is a significant barrier for the rest of tanzanians, that why i participate in this project to destroy this barrier by localizing swahili language.

I like challenges and discussions with other computer experts all over the world, music, basketball, football and praying.

Jimmy

ENGLISH:

My name is Jimmy T. Mbelwa. I am 30 years of age.I am gradute student at University of Dar es Salaam. I have B.Sc. in computer Science. Currently I am working with Department of Computer Science at University of Dar es Salaam in the klnX localization project as Assistant Researcher. My interest is to be Information Systems Management expert.I like reading books and novels, watching Television, exchanging ideas with others and doing some physical exercises.

James

ENGLISH:

Hi am James Chambua, born in 1980 in Dar es Salaam. After I completed my BSc with Computer Science at the University of Dar es Salaam in 2004, I remained at the Computer Science Department as a research assistant of the klnX project.

I feel that the project is a great breakthrough in computational linguistic not only for computer science students and staffs but also for other computer users who understand Swahili language. Project members will acquire knowledge and skills of translating Linux operating system from one language to another. As they say "a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."

Abdulla

ENGLISH:

Abdulla F. Ally, born in 1978, Zanzibar, Tanzania. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Dar Es Salaam in 2004 and Master of Science in Computer Science at the same University in 2008. Abdulla is working with the University of Dar es Salaam as an Assistant Lecturer in the department of Computer Science.He is also one of the researcher in the project.

He believes that the project is helpful not only to him but also to other staffs and computer user.It provides not only effective knowledge and skills in computational linguistic but also an experience. As we know Swahili status has been elevated further.It is not only a national language in Tanzania but also one of the official language in the African Union and East African Community, hence one of the globalozation tools. Therefore, there is every reason to make sure that the langauge is introduced in the current information technology.