General News
Kenya: Google Celebrates Renowned Professor Okombo With a Doodle
[ad_1]
Nairobi — Google has published a doodle to honour and celebrate Prof Okoth Okombo, a renowned University of Nairobi linguistics professor.
Professor Okombo died in November 2017 while undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
The celebration coincides with the scholar’s 71st birthday, if he was alive.
Prof Okombo is celebrated as one of the founders of the scientific study of sign language in Africa and a distinguished scholar in the field of Nilotic Language Studies.
“Local doodles provide a way for Google to connect with Kenyans about what matters to them and to help commemorate important moments. We have previously honoured Kimani Maruge, novelist Dr Margaret Ogola, Nobel Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai, and today we are celebrating a renowned scholar, Prof Okoth Okombo,” stated Shikha Monga, Country Marketing Manager, Google.
In the country, the scholar was the founder and director of the Kenyan Sign Language Research Project, based at the University of Nairobi.
The project has led to the publication of scientific works on the structure, vocabulary, and sociological properties of the deaf language.
It contributed to the recognition of the deaf community and subsequent introduction of practical use of the Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) in schools across all learning sectors as well as many other domains of public life.
This opened new opportunities in life for deaf people and created new career paths, where students undertake graduate studies in sign language and are employed as sign language interpreters.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
As part of the commemoration, a memorial virtual public lecture will be hosted by the University of Nairobi. Prof George Magoha, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Science and Technology and Prof Stephen Kiama, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, will be among the speakers at the public lecture.
The scholar has created a footprint in the scholarly work having sat in several local and international scholarly organisation boards, including the Amsterdam-based Functional Grammar Foundation, the Kenya National Academy of Sciences, the World Congress of African Linguistics (serving as an executive committee member), and the World Federation of the Deaf (as the Sign Language Regional Expert for Africa).
He was also the founding Chairman of the Department of Linguistics and Literature (CEES) at the University of Nairobi where he was later elected Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
His achievements in the field of sign language research and development were recognized by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), which elected him International President of the WFD Sign Language Scientific Commission between 1992-1995.
The Doodle created by Kenyan artist Joe Baraka appeared on Google’s homepage in Kenya. Baraka is a young upcoming artist known for using digital media to tell stories.
Google started honoring deceased people, events, anniversaries and holidays with doodles designed by one of its engineers in 1999.
The company has since then honored an array of African personalities such as South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba, and Stephen Keshi, former captain and coach of the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national soccer team.
[ad_2]
Source link
Comments
Kenya Police Recruitment Training: Complete Preparation Guide
Magoya Boils! CS’s Choice Moses Omondi Cornered by Angry Ugunja Youths
How the Government Sank Sh49.5 Billion Into Housing Projects Without Land Ownership
From Ivory to Rhino Horn: How Feisal Mohamed Ali Keeps Escaping Justice
A New Hope in Ugunja: Lillyanne Aketch’s campaign is shaking up the by-election.
Ryan Injendi Hits Out at Mudavadi Over Malava UDA Nominations
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba Denies Claims of Spying for UDA
What to Do If You Are Unfairly Disqualified from Police Recruitment in Kenya
Kenyan Officer Benedict Kabiru Confirmed Dead in Haiti: Ruto Speaks at UNGA 2025
Kalonzo Musyoka Dismisses Claims of Stepping Down from 2027 Race: “I Know My Enemies Are Suffering”
High Court Halts Equity Bank’s Takeover Bid on Swafi Foods in Landmark Ruling
The Ultimate Kenyan Fan’s Guide to Watching Premier League (Without DStv!)
Senior School 2026: KNEC Launches Grade 9 Talent-Based Nomination for CBC Pathways
Kenyan Officer Benedict Kabiru Confirmed Dead in Haiti: Ruto Speaks at UNGA 2025
Beatrice Chebet Promoted After Golden Double in Tokyo
Kenya Police Recruitment Training: Complete Preparation Guide
What to Do If You Are Unfairly Disqualified from Police Recruitment in Kenya
Ryan Injendi Hits Out at Mudavadi Over Malava UDA Nominations
Kalonzo Musyoka Dismisses Claims of Stepping Down from 2027 Race: “I Know My Enemies Are Suffering”
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba Denies Claims of Spying for UDA
-
General News2 days agoKenya Police Recruitment Training: Complete Preparation Guide
-
General News7 days agoMagoya Boils! CS’s Choice Moses Omondi Cornered by Angry Ugunja Youths
-
General News6 days agoHow the Government Sank Sh49.5 Billion Into Housing Projects Without Land Ownership
-
General News6 days agoFrom Ivory to Rhino Horn: How Feisal Mohamed Ali Keeps Escaping Justice
-
General News5 days agoA New Hope in Ugunja: Lillyanne Aketch’s campaign is shaking up the by-election.
-
General News2 days agoRyan Injendi Hits Out at Mudavadi Over Malava UDA Nominations
-
General News5 days agoGithunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba Denies Claims of Spying for UDA
-
General News2 days agoWhat to Do If You Are Unfairly Disqualified from Police Recruitment in Kenya