Microsoft Africa Development Center (ADC) has partnered with Kenyan universities in an initiative aimed at building a global tech talent pipeline.
The varsities include; Zetech University, USIU, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and Kirinyaga University.
Product Management Vice-President at Microsoft, Joe Dadzie, said that the organization decided to engage institutions of higher learning to enhance their curriculum, particularly in technical and technology courses.
“Some of these programmes include Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Cyber Security and Computer Networks among others,” he noted.
Speaking during the ongoing Microsoft ADC Campus Tour at Zetech University on Tuesday, Dadzie noted that some of the resources Microsoft has been sharing with students include; the Cloud Skills challenge, free student certification programmes and the Microsoft Learn student ambassadors programme.
Others are the Imagine Cup – that helps students bring unique tech solutions to life, Azure for Students and Azure AI Text Analytics demo, Power Platform User Group Kenya, Game of Learners, and Educator Developer blogs among many others.
Dadzie, was accompanied by Microsoft ADC Managing Director, Catherine Muraga, and Education Engagements Lead, Ms Irene Githinji.
ALSO READ:
KNEC issues fresh guidelines for KCSE supervisors, invigilators
The Director, Research & Extensions at the university, Esther Mwangi, said that the collaboration with Microsoft will play a pivotal role in ensuring students in the IT field access required resources at their disposal.
“Students should also take initiative of the many programmes including our Innovation Hub which can be used to incubate ideas until maturity and run through simulations to ensure its effectiveness,” she said.
The varsity Vice-Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene hailed the partnership saying that it will help rope in more students into tech studies. He pointed out that the number of students pursuing IT and other related courses at the University has significantly increased in recent years.
By Kamau Njoroge
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
