MKU scoops top award in ICT training

MKU officials led by the Dean School of IT and Informatics Dr. John Kamau (2nd left) receive the award in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has clinched the coveted award in ICT training in higher learning institutions in the country.

The University, that has invested heavily in revolutionising higher learning through emerging technologies, won this years Best Use of ICT in Education during an awards ceremony organized by Information Technology Communication Association of Kenya (ICTAK) in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The University's Dean School of IT and Informatics Dr. John Kamau attributed the win to the institution's adoption of latest technologies in training and domination of the tech space by its students.

While noting that universities contribute to a more equitable society by increasing access to quality education, Dr. Kamau noted that MKU has leveraged innovative solutions to enhance accessibility and affordability, inspired by the fact that education is a right for all.

"These initiatives empower students from marginalized backgrounds to pursue their career dreams. Digital transformation is reshaping access to education for instance; E-learning and blended learning reduce costs and overcome geographical barriers," he said.

The Dean divulged that MKU has incorporated Interactive Display Units for smart classrooms in all campuses and made significant Investments in ICT infrastructure, expanding access to high-quality education to learners across the globe in line with UNESCO’s "Education for All" initiative.

"The university has sourced for the Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyanda Information Technology Co. Ltd. so that with the due approvals by the relevant ministry the partnership could push Kenya’s ICT Infrastructural expansion to the next level," he affirmed.

Dr. Kamau reiterated that the huge investment in ICT has propelled MKU students to the global arena noting that recently, a student from the University represented Kenya in the Global Huawei Competition held in China.

Daniel Ochola, a Bachelor of Science in Information technology, was among 18 students who represented the country in 

The Huawei ICT Competition, that was initiated in 2015 as part of the Huawei ICT Academy, in a collaborative effort to enrich the ICT talent pool by transferring the latest knowledge from a global technology leader.

“As MKU, we are proud to have produced a leading student to represent Kenya in the international arena,” Kamau said.

Joseph Muoria from the University's ICT Directorate also won the ICT Manager of the year.

ICT Authority CEO Stanley Kamanguya who graced the event hailed  MKU and other stakeholders in the ICT sector saying that they play a pivotal role in digitally empowering Kenyans adding that the players including ICTAK and other umbrella bodies are important bin achieving the digital transformation agenda.

Kamanguya said that contributions by the stakeholders in diverse sectors including academia, business, hospitality, real estate, banking among others will help position the country as the region's technology hub.

"As we are working hard to digitize the government, we recognize and appreciate strong collaborations with key players in the ICT sector so as to concrete solutions for the government and to also digitally enable citizens through skilling," Kamanguya said.

The CEO rallied calls to exploit digital opportunities that are presented to the young people to create jobs and reduce the country's unemployment rates.

"About 1.9 million young people are involved in the digital jobs but the number is still low because about 65 percent of the young people are still unemployed. We must work together to unlock opportunities in the digital world for the young people including monetizing content, trainings and collaborations with global platforms providers to enable digital businesses thrive and benefit," Kamanguya said.

ICTAK Secretary General Adrian Kamotho hailed the players in the ICT sector saying that they have contributed to the incredible strides the country has made in leveraging on technology to transform lives and foster economic growth as well as a future driven by innovation.

"Together we can make technology not just a tool but a cornerstone for prosperity of Kenyans," he said.