MINUTES OF MALAWI SDNP COORDINATION UNIT STAFF MEETING HELD ON 30TH APRIL 1998 AT SDNP COORDINATION UNIT OFFICES AT THE POLYTECHNIC IN BLANTYRE

 

 

PRESENT

Dr P. Nyirenda - Program Coordinator (PC) - Chairperson

Mr C. Longwe - Information Specialist (IS)

Ms F. Karim - Administrative Assistant (AA) - Secretary

 

AGENDA

The following agenda items were agreed and considered:

  1. Reading and adoption of previous meeting’s minutes.
  2. Matters arising from minutes.
  3. Evaluation of activities carried out on the workplan for the previous week.
  4. Workplan for the following week.
  5. Any other business.

 

MINUTES

CU/24/98 The PC called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.

 

FOLLOWUP ON PREVIOUS WEEK ACTIVITY PLANS

CU/25/98 It was noted that there were problems in carrying out planned activities for the week due to the strikes by Polytechnic students on campus who blocked staff from entering their offices. Only a few activities were carried out.

CU/26/98 It was reported by Mr Chuma of NRCM that nothing had been done yet regarding transfer of funds for the SDNP Coordination Unit. It was agreed that PC would write requesting for funding for the quarter. It was noted that jobs like completion of partitioning in offices of SDNP will still pend until funds are available.

CU/27/98 It was noted that the SUN workstation was still faulty and the IS reported that a careful examination of the workstation was still going on.

CU/28/98 It was noted that AA had put a filing index in place. The meeting agreed that the AA should polish up the Filing Index and come up with a better one on the next meeting.

CU/29/98 It was noted that MPTC had requested for new applications for the 16 telephone lines since the old applications were misplaced. PC explained that new applications were made to MPTC and it was learned that agreement forms would be collected the next day.

CU/30/98 It was noted that an application to the Polytechnic Registrar for another extension line from Polytechnic switchboard would be made by PC instead of AA as previously agreed.

CU/31/98 It was noted that IS had finalized connecting to the Polytechnic network and he pointed out that machines were able to talk to each other.

CU/32/98 It was pointed out that there are staff issues that need to be followed up and considered further :
    1. health insurance: It was agreed out that staff should write to UNDP and UNOPS for clarification on health insurance. In the letters, staff were asked to introduce themselves including their contract numbers. Copies of the letters should be sent to UNOPS, Resident Representative of UNDP in Malawi, SDNP Program Officer (Brian Christensen) and UNDP Personnel Officer.
    2. End of contract terms: It was noted that PC will pend this issue for discussion with UNDP.

CU/33/98 IS confirmed that an electrician from Polytechnic maintenance section verified that all power outlets in SDNP offices are now in working condition.

CU/34/98 It was noted that IS had started constructing a technical program for training regional node operators.

 

NESU WORKSHOP AT MIM

CU/35/98 AA was asked to continue with the follow up on the workshop with NESU, UNDP and NRCM.

 

SDNP INTERNET OPERATING LICENCE

CU/36/98 It was noted that PC has not finalized securing of written agreements from MPTC for SDNP internet connections and it was learned that PC still has to write to PMG/MPTC on policy issues on registration of ISP’s in Malawi.

 

 

ACTIVITIES FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK

CU/37/98 Based on the above and on the workplan for April-June 1998, the following activities were planned for the following week:

AA follow up on arrangements for NESU workshop and training for AA and PC

AA Polish up filing index

AA develop payment vouchers for SDNP MALAWI

AA construct, type and circulate agenda for the next meeting

IS continue looking at the SUN workstation’s faults and internet connections at Polytechnic

IS find working monitor for LINUX box.

IS finalize training program for regional node operators

PC apply for another extension line for the office.

PC contact upstream ISP (UUNET) for international connection

PC follow up on equipment purchase.

PC contact 3 regional institutions (Chancellor College NRCM and Mzuzu University) to request and secure office space

PC request institutions to identify one person under their establishment to become node operators

PC write to UNDP/UNOPS on health insurance and end of contract arrangements.

PC follow up INET’98 application with ISOC, SDNP New York and UNDP Lilongwe.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

CU/138/98 There being no other business, PC closed the meeting at 5:10 pm and asked for another meeting to take place on Friday 8th May 1998 at 2 pm to evaluate progress for the week.