Microsoft Africa Development Centre (ADC) celebrates the successful graduation of faculty members from Kenyan universities who completed its intensive upskilling programme in partnership with Microsoft Leap. With a 100% completion rate, the program equipped lecturers with cutting-edge technological insights to bridge the gap between academia and industry demands.
Irene Githinji, Education Engagements Lead at Microsoft ADC, emphasized the program’s role in enhancing faculty skills in teaching and research, particularly in leveraging artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to empower educators to integrate modern technology into their classrooms, fostering collaboration and innovation across universities in Kenya and beyond.
The 12-week curriculum, developed in collaboration with Microsoft Leap instructors, attracted participants from leading institutions including Zetech University, Kabarak University, and Jomo Kenyatta University. It focused on software engineering fundamentals, AI in teaching, and 21st-century learning design, culminating in Microsoft certifications and practical project-based learning.
Yolanda Natal-Santos, Director of Microsoft Leap, highlighted the program’s dual impact of advancing individual careers and strengthening educational institutions. By equipping faculty with AI and software engineering skills, the initiative ensures universities remain at the forefront of educational innovation in our increasingly digital world.
The program’s success was further underscored by a project competition judged by Microsoft engineers, won by a collaborative team from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and Zetech University. Their projects showcased practical applications of software development principles and AI integration.
Peter Muturi, a programming lecturer at Multimedia University and program graduate, highlighted the transformative impact of adopting technology in education. He emphasized the program’s insights into industry demands, enhancing lecturers’ ability to prepare students effectively for today’s job market.
Microsoft ADC continues to drive its mission of enhancing the tech talent pipeline through initiatives like campus tours, student competitions, and cybersecurity training collaborations. This faculty upskilling program stands as a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to empowering African educators and advancing technological education across the continent. 🌐📚💡 #MicrosoftADC #FacultyUpskilling #AIinEducation #DigitalSkills #HigherEducation #TechTalentPipeline
