The ENGAGE Project has officially launched the Tier 2 and 3 Cohort III Training, bringing together beneficiaries from six regional universities, including Kabarak University, in a coordinated programme aimed at equipping students with valuable skills and opportunities for personal and professional development.
The launch, held on Monday, 3rd August 2026, brought together participants and project teams at the ENGAGE Headquarters and the six participating regional universities through a hybrid engagement. The participating institutions are Kabarak University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), Pwani University, and South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU).
A key highlight of the event was the introduction of the Cohort III beneficiaries from each participating university, formally welcoming the students who will undertake the training programme. At Kabarak University, the beneficiaries were introduced by Prof. Pamela Kimeto, Regional Program Coordinator and Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, joining representatives from the other participating institutions in welcoming the new cohort.
The launch also featured remarks from Dr. Timothy Kamanu, ENGAGE Co-Principal Investigator at the University of Nairobi DASCLAB, and Dr Sara Koki Muli-Kinagwi, ENGAGE Co-Principal Investigator at UCSF Global Programs for Research and Training, Kenya. They highlighted the project's vision of building the next generation of women leaders in STEM by equipping participants with technical expertise, practical experience, and mentorship.
The official opening and launch of the Cohort III training were presided over by Prof. Prof. Julius Oyugi, Principal Investigator of the ENGAGE Project, who encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace the programme as an opportunity to expand their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and prepare for impactful careers.
Following the opening ceremony, the Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cohort III training commenced simultaneously at each of the six participating regional universities under the coordination of their respective regional teams.
The ENGAGE Project's training model combines intensive technical instruction with experiential learning. Tier 2 targets women in the final year of STEM diploma programmes, while Tier 3 is designed for women pursuing final-year undergraduate STEM degrees. Participants will undergo a fully funded 20-day residential training covering Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, statistics, research methods, and professional development. The programme also includes a six-week internship at community health facilities, where beneficiaries will apply their newly acquired skills to address real-world public health challenges using data-driven approaches.
Beyond technical competencies, the programme places a strong emphasis on leadership, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, project management, and career readiness. Through mentorship from academic and industry experts, participants will gain practical experience and professional networks that prepare them for careers in data science, AI, research, and innovation.
As Cohort III embarks on this transformative journey, Kabarak University looks forward to supporting the beneficiaries throughout the programme and celebrating the milestones, innovations, and success stories that will emerge as they progress through the various stages of the ENGAGE Project.
