Alumanda Shakankale: DevC Lusaka Member Spotlight
Professional Background
Alumanda Shakankale is an ICT professional who has been in the ICT Industry for 8 years now. Her fields of expertise being Software and Web development, System Administration, Database Management and Technical Support. Over the years and while working in the different fields she has developed passion and interest in Cyber Security and she is currently taking courses on improving security in applications she develops and also general improvement of cyber security in organisations .
She holds a BEng in Computer Engineering (Computer Technology & Informatics) from South-West State University in Kursk, Russia and is currently working as a Technical Support Specialist for CIDRZ Central Laboratory.
She is both a Certified Technical Trainer, trained by Charles Sturt University of Australia and a Certified Microsoft Innovation Educator .Over the years she has conducted various trainings at CIDRZ — the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia ,University of Zambia, American Corner-NIPA and BongoHive.
Alumanda has participated as a trainer and facilitator for the GIRLS IN ICT DAY in partnership with Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority (ZICTA),Asikana Network ,the Maya Angelou American Corner and Lubuto Library Partners. for two conservative years now (2017 and 2018).
She was one of the speakers at the first ever Lusaka Internet Forum :10th and 11th of May 2017 under the theme “Gender and access to ICTS”
She also spoke at the first ever Ecommerce Expo and Conference :28th and 29th June 2018 under the theme”How can improved ICT usage in Zambia contribute Ecommerce”
She is a mentor and volunteer trainer in ICTs with Asikana .
She is also a mentor under KUPES “BIG SISTER PROGRAM” whose main aim is to increase literacy among young women and girls in Zambia.
Hobbies
Alumanda enjoys outdoor activities like horse riding, going on a boat cruise and when she can she enjoys swimming and playing table tennis and on a good she plays the flute or guitar . And oh yes reading and listening to good music.
Her reason for waking up every morning:
she believes as long as she has a pulse and a heartbeat she is till has purpose and for her making the lives of those around her better with a bias to women and young children.
Favorite Life quote:
There are many but for now she says :
“ I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” Maya Angelou
Role Models:
Katherine Johnson , Maya Angelou
Best Memory in DevC meetup
So many.She just likes that whenever she attends a Meet Up she learns something new.
Finally, word of encouragement
Her advise is simply that we only have one life to live,lets make the best of it.In whatever we do be it with family,friend are at work be in the moment be 100% present and remember the journey along life’s path is not a straight line they will be highs and lows but be encouraged no matter how bad the situation it is not permanent for even the darkest night will turn to morning in due time.
