The School of Science, Engineering, and Technology (SSET) at Kabarak University has made a significant impact in the Microsoft Skilling Program, a 12-week event designed to enhance technical skills for university lecturers in Kenya. The program, developed in collaboration with the Microsoft Africa Development Centre (ADC) and Microsoft Leap, aimed to improve educators' delivery of technology-focused courses and provide them with an opportunity to engage with fellow educators in skill-enhancement modules.
The winning team, consisting of Dr. Andrew Kebut and Daisy Ondwari from Kabarak University's SSET, demonstrated exceptional technical skills, creativity, and innovation, earning them the top spot in the competition. The runners-up, Mercy Gachoka's team, also from Kabarak University, performed admirably, showcasing their technical prowess and potential.
Dr. Andrew Kebut (center) and Daisy Ondwari (right) lecturers in the school of science Engineering and technology share a photo moment after being crowned the winners of Microsoft lecturers competition
The program used a hybrid classroom model and practical training to provide instructors with a better understanding of industry requirements, inspire curriculum change that would align university classrooms with the needs of the technology industry, and expose them to advanced topics. The first cohort of 23 educators who participated in the program were drawn from both private and public universities, including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Multimedia University, and Kirinyaga University. Strathmore University, KCA University, Kabarak University, USIU-Africa, Zetech University, and Africa Nazarene University were also represented.
Dr. Lawrence Nderu, the esteemed Chairman and Lecturer in the Department of Computing at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, stresses the importance of educators keeping up with the ever-changing world to shape the leaders of tomorrow. He emphasizes that new tools and methods are being developed daily, and they are becoming increasingly vital to operate within the tech industry. For the benefit of students, it is crucial that lecturers learn how to leverage industry-standard and emerging technology from industry leaders.
Mercy Gachoka (center) share a photo moment with team members after the release of Microsoft lecturers competition
Dr. Andrew Kebut, Daisy Ondwari, and Mercy Gachokas' teams express their gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Henry Kiplangat, and the entire management of Kabarak University for their unwavering support. They acknowledge that the Microsoft Skilling Program has exposed them to advanced topics and equipped them with the necessary tools to introduce popular Microsoft resources like Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Power Platforms, and Microsoft Dynamics.
The impressive performance of Kabarak University's SSET lecturers in the Microsoft Skilling Program is a testament to the institution's commitment to providing quality education that aligns with industry standards. The program has not only enhanced their technical skills but has also exposed them to advanced topics, allowing them to design effective teaching methods for their students in a practical manner.
