Monday, March 13, 2023

On Monday 13th March 2023, The UNESCO-ICHEI in collaboration with Southern University of Science and Technology and The University of Nairobi (UoN) held a progress review meeting to assess the effectiveness of the collaboration and explore ways of expanding and improve the University’s training in research. In addition to creating linkages between research centres within the existing collaboration as well as expansion of the UoN Smart class room project to all faculties.  

The meeting was attended by the Vice Chancellor, UoN Prof. Stephen Kiama, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof.Julius Ogeng’o, Chief Operations Officer Mr Brian Ouma and and the Director of UNESCO-ICHIEI Prof. Li Ming together with the accompanying delegation from UNESCO-ICHEI and Southern University of Science & Technology University (SUSTech) delegation. 

During the meeting, notable projects were highlighted namely; the IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit in 2022, that focused on the IIOE Roundtable @WHEC and the IIOE National Centre Pilot Projects, which aim towards promoting Higher Education Digital Teaching and Learning and the creation of Shared Future of Higher Education Digital Transformation. During the rotating Presidency Unit, Kenya became among 5 other countries that successfully completed in the IIOE national Centres. UoN also became and remains among 5 other Kenyan Universities that are under the IIOE Kenya National Centre whose project objectives include; upskilling lectures on transformative curriculum delivery and Monitor and improve online blended teaching and learning practice in higher education institutions in Kenya.

Prof. Kiama, VC, UoN acknowledged the significant contribution that the partnership between UoN, UNESCO-ICHEI and SUSTech has towards the advancement of digital learning within the University of Nairobi through the creation of the UoN smart classrooms.   “We have been able to achieve many things from the support we have received from UNESCO-ICHEI & SUSTech, and we are happy about the new incentives that are coming forward.”

The Smart classroom aids in promoting blended and distant learning and enhancing online teaching.

The Vice President SUSTech Prof. Dr. Lu Chun expressed his hope of having the University of Nairobi as a future partner, “I hope that the University of Nairobi would be our first partner in Africa as we expand our horizons within the continent.”