Mount Kenya University (MKU) main campus officially launched its Research and Innovation Week on Monday, 14th October 2024, a week-long event that was designed to promote research, creativity, and entrepreneurship among students and staff.
The importance of the symposium for both students and staff, was to provide a unique learning opportunity. It also aimed to expose students to new ideas and show them that they can do something else apart from employment.
As part of Mount Kenya University’s Research and Innovation week, an exciting Hackathon event was underway, offering students and staff the opportunity to explore the latest advancements in technology, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The hackathon event brought together tech-savvy students and staff engaging them in hands-on sessions, exploring key trends in AI technology and its practical application in various fields.
Some of the exciting topics covered at the Hackathon are:
- Advancements in language models such as ChatGPT and Bard, which are transforming how we interact with AI.
- AI-generated images using platforms like DALL-E and Mid-Journey, enabling creative projects and visual innovation.
- Code generation, showcasing how AI can assist in software development.
AI makes works easier and solves problems, ultimately improving the education experience.
AI also reshapes education through:
- Personalized education, where AI tailors learning experiences to individual student needs.
- Adaptive learning platforms, which adjust content based on a student’s progress.
- Encouraging students to use AI in creative projects, opening up new possibilities for innovation.
The event also covered the ethical challenges associated with AI, such as:
- Misinformation risks, where AI-generated content may spread false information.
AI bias and fairness, reminding students and professionals to be mindful of ethical implications when using AI tools.
The School of Education engaged students and staff in discussions about the future of education. A key topic of conversation was the impact of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) on higher education. One student shared their thoughts on how CBC is shaping the future of education and the responsibilities it places on young people in three significant ways:
- The future of innovation where CBC emphasizes the use of technology, encouraging young people to embrace technological advancements in their education and careers.
- The future of resource mobilization ensuring that adequate resources are available to facilitate innovation.
- The future of impeccable character whereby integrity, good morals and strong ethics are essential in managing resources responsibly, which will, in turn, drive successful innovation.
Dr. Cecilia Kimani, a specialist in special needs education at Mount Kenya University spoke about the importance of inclusive education. Dr. Cecilia emphasized that children with visual or physical impairments should not be left behind and deserve to be fully included in all aspects of education. “Inclusive education means that these children should not be excluded from what everyone else is enjoying,” Dr. Cecilia said. “They should be part of the same learning environments, benefiting just like any other student.”
She explained that true inclusion goes beyond the current system of segregating learners. “Inclusive education encourages the elimination of two separate systems—special schools for some, and regular schools for others. Instead of this division, inclusive education ensures that all children, regardless of their abilities, learn together in the same environment.” Dr. Cicilia highlighted that integration is not enough. “With true inclusion, we are not just placing children with disabilities in regular schools. We are ensuring that every learner, regardless of their needs, gains and benefits from education at the same level.”
The event brought together students, staff and education experts to discuss innovative approaches and research within the education sector. A key message shared during the event was the recognition that education is a fundamental human right and everyone, regardless of their abilities or background, is entitled to quality education. More inclusive environments should be created whereby learners can thrive and benefit from equal education opportunities.
Mr Constant a distinguished guest speaker with a Master of Arts in Economics highlighted the critical role of sustainable business practices in promoting social and economic development while addressing pressing environmental challenges. “Businesses today are expected to do more than just make profits-they need to create long-term value for society and the environment”, he remarked, stressing the importance of ethical business models. He urged the students, as the future workforce entrepreneurs and leaders, to embrace sustainable business practices to tackle issues like climate change, poverty and inequality which in turn, will open up new growth opportunities in emerging sectors.
On Friday 18th October, The MKU Research and Innovation Week Awards and closing ceremony was held with a vibrant atmosphere set by the university’s choir performing soothing music to open the event.
Dr Francis Makhoha, Director Research emphasized the fulfilment of all objectives set for the week, highlighting the institution’s focus on research and innovation.
- Devolve the objectives of the 2024 MKU Research and Innovation week to Schools.
- Integrate research dissemination and scholarly dialogues at School level.
- Directly engage the students and staff in the hosting of the symposia.
- Strengthen partnership with the external research and scholarly community.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jaganyi, in his speech, encouraged the audience with an inspiring message, “Don’t get tired to dream,” urging students and researchers to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation.
The event’s guest speaker, Dr. James Njogu, Secretary General of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, delivered an insightful address. He urged students and innovators to remain independent thinkers, while emphasizing that creativity should always prioritize people. He highlighted the importance of using available technologies to address global challenges. In his historical reference, he reminded the audience that Kenya became a member of UNESCO in 1964 when it signed the constitution, a move that cemented its commitment to advancing education and science.
Dr. Njogu praised MKU for organizing a unique Research Week, describing it as a platform that fosters the desire to innovate and create solutions for the future. He also acknowledged the leadership of the Vice Chancellor in making the event a success and expressed optimism about the university’s future endeavours in research and innovation. Dr. Njogu formally declared the Research and Innovation Week closed, congratulating all participants and MKU for leading other universities in this pursuit.
The awards ceremony that followed recognized the exceptional work done by participants throughout the week, especially in the Hackathon and different Schools, where students displayed ground breaking innovations. Mr. Donatus Njoroge Director of Hackathon, gave a comprehensive review of the Hackathon projects, applauding the efforts of all participants..
Among the top innovators were the group ALCHEMIST, which secured the second runners-up position for developing an adaptive personalized system that leverages AI to create a perfect learning assistant. They were awarded a cheque of Ksh 25,000 by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Research Affairs.
The first runners-up, LOCAL HOST, developed a personalized learning platform tailored for students with dyslexia. They received a cheque of Ksh 50,000 from the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jaganyi.
The winning team, ATG, developed an AI model that allows users to write and erase with hand gestures in virtual classrooms, eliminating the need for traditional pens, whiteboards, or blackboards. This innovative project captured the imagination of the judges and was awarded by the Chief Guest, Dr. James Njogu, who handed them the top prize.
In addition to the awards, Dr. Njogu was also recognized for his participation and contributions to the event. The ceremony concluded with a word of prayer, bringing an end to a week of innovative achievements and forward-thinking discussions.
These are the various sessions that were conducted throughout the week, each focusing on different aspects of research and innovation. The goal was to build a strong foundation for students and staff to engage in research and to showcase their work and ideas to the world. Students, particularly undergraduates, were reminded to be open-minded, step out of their comfort zones, and to take that opportunity to learn from their lecturers and industry experts who have been present throughout the week. The event provided an engaging platform for participants to expand their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. It has been an exciting and productive week for the MKU community, with students and staff gaining valuable insights that will help them in their academic and professional journeys. Mount Kenya University continues to pave the way for research and innovation, providing a platform for young minds to develop technologies that address global challenges.
