Matthew D. Dekenah
Born South African. Quasi-Scotsman. Quasi-Brasileiro. Social Media and Tech Addict. Bon Vivant. Wordsmith. Runner. Analyst. Linguaphile. Music-lover. Activist.
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship- (Mac)Dekenah
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Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
- Matthew has been selected as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for 2011/2012. He is representing South Africa, Namibia and Angola for Rotary District 9350 while reading for a Master's of Science in Global Health and Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh until September 2012. Read all about his adventures on his blog.
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Posts
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Info
- SummaryA highly motivated, intelligent and adaptable Information and Social Sciences graduate with a keen interest in public policy, national and international affairs, and the role of technology and information management therein. Constantly driven to improve, learn and achieve exceptional outcomes, and always ready and able to lead or engage with a team.
I have diverse experience in the fields of finance, ICT, academia and retail, with a proven track record in leadership and organisational skills through active involvement in community service, vocational and extra-curricular activities. I also have well developed analytical and problem-solving skills and I am articulate and eloquent with the ability to define complex issues in simple language.
I am now formalising my passion for and interest in improving the health and welfare of my community by reading for a Master's of Science in Global Health and Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar. I intend to concentrate my independent research on international public health systems and e-health, with the aim of filling a public health policy role for the Southern African region.Specialties: Analysis, problem-solving, communication, technical skills, diplomacy, branding and identity.Experience- Oct 2011 - PresentPart-Time Test Engineer / Crocodile Clips• Test functionality of educational software suite against iterative SCRUM sprint stories. • Ensure fixes are implemented correctly and do not affect stability. • Provide detailed analyses of functional, regression, graphical and usability issues. • Assess usability of software for educational context and offer suggestions for improvement. • Liaise with clients to resolve bugs, issues and offer technical support.
- Nov 2010 - Aug 2011Senior QA Analyst / StatPro• As supervisor, create a culture and climate that enables own team to flourish and develop to its full potential. • Delegate work effectively, taking on board the strengths and skills of each individual team member to ensure they work to the best of their abilities. • Review and monitor team member performance to identify potential career opportunities. • Take ownership, implement, manage and follow correct escalation path of resources and issues. • Develop protocols reflecting own personal expertise, and share these with others. • Manage the team to meet deadlines and targets, managing resources flexibly to meet changing priorities, business direction, and plans. • Make a positive contribution to improving efficiency and quality of the team through key priorities. • Continue to deliver on existing QA roles and functions. • Work with Business Analysts and Developers to create comprehensive test strategies for new functional areas. • Provide team overview and communication channel to Development Manager and Director. • Fulfill Fire Fighter and First Aid Officer roles in the Health and Safety Team.
- Jun 2009 - Nov 2010QA Analyst / StatPro• Create and execute test plans to ensure developed solution meets its functional requirements. • Provide critical frontline support to international internal clients. • Be a key player in authorising application releases, having tested the product against test plans. • Create and maintain a regression test strategy to ensure product stability. • Test products written in C#, ASP.NET and VB and using MS SQL Server. • Track bugs in a database and own their resolution by coordinating with developers and retesting any fixes supplied. • Fulfill Fire Fighter and First Aid Officer roles in the Health and Safety Team.
- Mar 2009 - May 2009PHP Developer / CellSmart Technologies• Implement web site creation, design and maintenance. • Develop and provide WAP and mobile-specific solutions. • Analyse and troubleshoot existing mobile technology systems.
- Feb 2008 - Mar 2009Language Teacher / Berlitz• Train professionals in the Portuguese language in private and semi-private interactive sessions. • Represent the company to potential clients for Portuguese instruction.
- Mar 2008 - Dec 2008Assistant Lecturer / University of Stellenbosch• Prepare and present classes to first-year students on Microsoft Office software and computer usage and applications. • Invigilate testing sessions.
- Jan 2007 - Mar 2008Academic Assistant / Protea Boekhuis• Perform sales, procurement and other retail functions. • Provide technical assistance for networks, hardware and software. • Assist and participate in book signings, festivals and other functions.
- Nov 2007 - Jan 2008Creative Intern / Decisão Comuniação• Lead Web and Email marketing projects in Creative Department. • Create media in Adobe Photoshop and Flash. • Assist in document formatting, copywriting and graphic design.
- Feb 2007 - Nov 2007Research Assistant / University of Stellenbosch• Lead project for doctoral thesis Web interface. • Create MySQL database-driven PHP website. • Mark French papers and assignments. • Provide general assistance to Dr Catherine Du Toit in the French Section.
Education-
2011 - 2012The University of EdinburghMSc in Global Health and Public Policy
Activities: Edinburgh University Singers, Edinburgh University StopAIDS Society, Edinburgh University WineSoc, Edinburgh University Hillwalking Club, Edinburgh Rotaract -
2008 - 2008Stellenbosch University/Universiteit StellenboschBA (Hons) cum laude in Socio-Informatics
Activities: HIV Peer Education Program (Senior Peer Educator), Rotex (Rotary International District 9350), Golden Key International Honour Society -
2005 - 2007Stellenbosch University/Universiteit StellenboschBA in Socio-Informatics, English Literature
Activities: Stellenbosch University Choir, International Student Organisation of Stellenbosch Steering Committee, HIV Peer Education Program, Rotex (Rotary International District 9350), Maties Community Service, Golden Key International Honour Society, Wine and Culture Society -
1999 - 2003Diocesan CollegeHigh School (Senior Certificate) in English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Science, Computer Studies, Geography, Additional Mathematics
Activities: Ten Club, Forum, International Society, Chapel Choir, Orchestra, Dance Society
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Honors:• Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship (2011/2012) • Brightest Young Minds Summit Delegate (2011) • Stellenbosch University Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship (2008) • Sasol/Golden Key International Honour Society Excellence Award (2008) • Babette Taute English Literature Scholarship (2007) • French Award for Excellence in French 178 (2006) • German Consular Award for Excellence in German 178 (2005) • Stellenbosch University Merit Scholarship (2005) • Rotary International Youth Exchange Student, Brazil (2004) • Theron Academic Scholarship, Diocesan College (1999-2003)
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Interests:Activism, Analysis, Cooking and Gastronomy, History, Languages, Music, National and Foreign Affairs, Policy, Politics, Reading, Running, Social Media, Tennis, and Web Technologies.
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Tweets
- Great show @thetempertrap! Just wish you'd played Fader :)
- The Temper Trap (@ O2 ABC for The Temper Trap and Clock Opera) http://t.co/nu1ev1KB
- Oban today, then The Temper Trap in Glasgow tonight! :) #fb
- Oh McCaig and his Folly. The sun has finally come out, making for a stunner of a day in Oban. http://t.co/H0oOMyJF
- You know it's been an interesting night when people end up Googling merkins. #fb
- RT @edwardoZA: Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.
- Scottish Ballet's A Streetcar Named Desire. :) (@ Edinburgh Festival Theatre w/ @twristbach) http://t.co/Npg0JYDf
- Video: Pentatonix - Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye Cover) Definitely one of the best a cappella acts... http://t.co/FhxAltjd
- Edinburgh Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon! Please donate! http://t.co/5yuAgiUZ #fb
- Edinburgh Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon registration! (@ Holyrood Park w/ @twristbach) http://t.co/p9ta7eMc
- Ooo. Me too! RT @ianbadnhorst: What do you think about this modern watch? Would you wear it? I want one! http://t.co/vAGhvLEx
- Damien Hirst Exhibition. Amazing! (@ Tate Modern w/ 18 others) http://t.co/MmPGhLWL
- David Hockney Exhibition (@ Royal Academy of Arts) http://t.co/MU2mNNpd
- :) The 25 Happiest Animals In The World http://t.co/2yf6docH
- Out basking in the Scottish sun today. Yey for Spring! #fb
- I don't know what I'd do without Dropbox! Sign up now with this link and get an extra 250MB free :) http://t.co/0sEbxawb
- Last concert of the year with the EU Singers tonight. Come join at 7.30pm at St. Paul's, Lutton Place: http://t.co/e4o9Li7M
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Wall
- I am running three half marathons for charity. Please support me!
- There's a new post up. Get at it and comment! :) http://blog.mattdekenah.com/
- It’s 03h30 and I have an essay due today so naturally my room is pristinely clean.
- So mayhaps it was a bit ambitious of me to start a blog knowing how I love to procrastinate? It’s been just over a month since I arrived in Edinburgh and here I am, finally sitting in front of my PC, and bashing out this post to reflect on what has been an insanely busy, yet exciting few weeks.
- For a day that has taken forever to arrive, it suddenly feels like it has come too soon. Today marks exactly one week before I depart to Edinburgh.
- The site is finally complete (bar a few tweaks). Please catch up with the posts and comment.
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Posts
Pentatonix - Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye Cover)
Definitely one of the best a cappella acts I’ve seen.- Please Help
Shell plans to mine for shale gas in the Karoo, using a technique known as “fracking”. It refers to the method of rupturing rock by forcing high pressure liquid into underground rock formations to liberate and collect otherwise inaccessible pockets of gas.
It has a number of very serious negative consequences such as wide spread water pollution, soil pollution, detrimental human and animal health effects and air pollution. In the US fracking has been used with devastating results, many many people have gotten seriously ill, the water in some places has become so toxic you can set fire to the water coming out of the tap, the effects are shocking and scary. Plus they will need millions of litres of water (as much as 20 million litres per well at a time) to operate the wells.
The SA government owns all rights to minerals and gas underground and only them and Shell will benefit from the mining. Shell is in the process of applying for a license, there is a very real chance that they will be awarded the license. There are about 20 days set aside for public participation (which is now), please consider signing the petition and sending an email, your voice really is needed as there needs to be a MASSIVE public outcry for the regulator not to award Shell the license.
Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/295/—if-gte-mso-9xml-wworddocument-wviewnormalwview-wzoom0wzoom-wpunctuationkerning/
Email the decision makers:
http://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/getinvolved/Stop-Fracking-in-the-Karooder-/
Thanks everybody! Please also considering forwarding on to your friends.
Also, check out “Gasland” for a documentary on what has happened in USA with Fracking.
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Posts
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Checkins
- 25/3 St Patrick Square25/3 St Patrick Square
- St Patrick Square22-39 St Patrick Square
- University of Edinburgh Main LibraryGeorge Square
- Teviot Row House13 Bristo Square
- Chrystal Macmillan BuildingEdinburgh EH8 9XF
- Bristo SquarePotterrow
- The Alexander Graham Bell (Wetherspoon)128 George St.
- Boots46-48 Shandwick Pl.
- Crocodile Clips43 Queensferry St Ln
- Pret A Manger56 Shandwick Place
- 25/3 St Patrick Square25/3 St Patrick Square
- St Patrick Square22-39 St Patrick Square
- Boots46-48 Shandwick Pl.
- The Alexander Graham Bell (Wetherspoon)128 George St.
- Crocodile Clips43 Queensferry St Ln
- Pret A Manger56 Shandwick Place
- 25/3 St Patrick Square25/3 St Patrick Square
- St Patrick Square22-39 St Patrick Square
- Tesco Metro94 Nicolson Street
- LidlNicolson St.
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Recent Tracks
- Sann Romans by Medina
- Hvis Din Far Gir Dig Lov by Kim Larsen
- Ur Soul and Mine by Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx
- 50mila - In the Style of Nina Zilli by Nina Zilli Tribute Artists
- Santa Fe by Beirut
- Radio Protector by 65daysofstatic
- Your Hand In Mine by Explosions In The Sky
- Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem
- Fizzy good (make feel nice) by The Bear That Wasn't
- Elephant Feat. Erick Morillo by Alexandra Burke
John MayerBon IverDeath Cab For CutieFall Out BoyFlorence + the MachinePanic! At the DiscoGlee CastNickelbackMumford & SonsPaolo NutiniSherwoodMichael BubléDie Heuwels FantastiesGavin DeGrawPatrick WolfGoldfishAkingRihannaSnow PatrolThe Temper TrapDaft PunkKings of LeonCity and ColourJosé GonzálezCute Is What We Aim ForRufus WainwrightOwl CityAdam Lambert30 Seconds to MarsDavid GuettaAirBeyoncéKings of ConvenienceTracy ChapmanMadonnaCraig ArmstrongBruno MarsAdeleMorcheebaBritney SpearsMuseNatalie MerchantChris BrownKaty PerryVampire WeekendLa RouxParamoreBloc PartyChase & StatusSolange- 56 plays
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- Flux by Bloc Party37 plays
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- Holy Train by Aking23 plays
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- Pjanoo by Eric Prydz19 plays
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- Afrodisiac by Brandy18 plays
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Favorites
