JKUAT Receives Mobile Learning Devices to Advance Digital Education

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has received mobile learning devices to support a Pan-African initiative aimed at empowering female teachers and school leaders through mobile-based learning.

The devices were presented to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, by Dr. Joyce Nzulwa, Deputy Dean of Students and Project Lead, in the presence of Patrick Kigathi, one of the project’s master trainers.

The initiative, “Empowering Female Teachers and School Leaders in Crisis Situations through the Integration of Mobile-Based Learning in the Pan African Virtual and Electronic University (PAVEU) Initiative,” is implemented by the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA), the Pan African University (PAU) and the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM).

JKUAT is among eight Kenyan universities participating in the project, which focuses on digital learning, mental health, gender equity, leadership, inclusive education and competence-based education and training (CBET).

The initiative builds a five-day Master Trainers’ Workshop held at JKUAT from July 13 to 17, 2026, which brought together 60 master trainers from participating universities. The trainers, drawn mainly from female school leadership, included deans and heads of departments. The workshop focused on digital transformation, ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI), inclusive education and sustainable continuous professional development.

Representing the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, at the presentation, Prof. George Thiong’o said the initiative would strengthen the capacity of educators and learners while advancing JKUAT’s commitment to technology-enabled education.

“This project has the potential to significantly improve the capacity of our female teachers, school leaders, staff and students in digital learning, mental health, gender equity, leadership, and competence-based education and training,” said Prof. Thiong’o.

Prof. Thiong’o commended Dr. Nzulwa and her team for driving the project in line with JKUAT’s vision and mission.

“I commend the project lead and the entire team for their efforts towards effective implementation of this project in line with the University’s vision and mission as a global leader in higher education and training,” he added.

Dr. Nzulwa thanked the project partners for their continued support in strengthening digital learning and professional development among female educators and school leaders. She said the devices would accelerate implementation of the initiative at JKUAT and enhance access to digital learning resources for targeted beneficiaries.

Under the initiative, the GOOCUS learning platform has begun piloting at Turkana University and Pwani University, supported by edge-computing hardware designed to facilitate learning in low-connectivity environments.

Project implementers have also pledged to provide additional mobile learning devices to accelerate implementation and expand access to digital learning resources.

The initiative seeks to build a network of educators capable of cascading digital learning skills within their institutions while promoting resilient, inclusive and continuous professional development.

For JKUAT, the project further strengthens its role in leveraging technology, partnerships and innovation to advance education and capacity building across the region.

(Right) Deputy Dean of Students, Dr. Joyce Nzulwa, and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. George Thiong’o, showcase one of the mobile learning devices received by the University.