Several faculty members from Kenyan universities have graduated from the second cohort of the Microsoft Africa Development Centre’s (ADC) intensive upskilling programme, launched in partnership with Microsoft Leap. Achieving a 100 percent completion rate, the programme provided rigorous training in cutting-edge technological advancements, enhancing lecturers’ understanding of technical issues and bridging the gap between the classroom and the industry.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Irene Githinji, Education Engagements Lead at Microsoft ADC, highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence in modern academia. “We are delighted that all 24 lecturers who began the programme have graduated. This initiative aims to improve faculty skills in teaching and research, as the world seeks to do more with the power of artificial intelligence. The programme’s impact extends beyond classrooms and universities by fostering collaboration and innovation. Our goal is to create a strong pipeline of capable individuals who will help to advance Africa’s technology landscape,” Ms. Githinji stated.
The 12-week programme, featuring a curriculum developed and taught in collaboration with Microsoft Leap instructors, included faculty from institutions such as Zetech University, Kabarak, Multimedia University, Jomo Kenyatta, St. Paul’s University, Strathmore University, USIU, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and Meru University.
The curriculum introduced a new skillset, teaching with AI, reflecting the growing role of generative technology in everyday life, including the classroom. It also focused on software engineering fundamentals and 21st-century learning design through a project-based learning approach, allowing participants to earn Microsoft certifications.
The programme culminated in a project competition where faculty members developed solutions requiring an understanding of software development principles, artificial intelligence, and the considerations made by software engineers. The competition, judged by Microsoft engineers, was won by a team comprising instructors from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and Zetech University.
Peter Muturi, a programming lecturer at Multimedia University and graduate of the programme, called for adopting technology in teaching and learning across all study areas. “Through the programme, we have learned what the industry is looking for. It has shown us that we need to work with AI to enhance our productivity as lecturers and that of our students, rather than view it as competition,” Muturi said.
The faculty skilling programme is part of Microsoft ADC’s larger mission to improve the tech talent pipeline, which includes initiatives such as campus tours, the Game of Learners competition for university students, and curriculum reviews for technology-related courses in universities. Recently, ADC also launched a cybersecurity skills enhancement initiative in collaboration with Cyber Shujaa to train students on cybersecurity fundamentals.