In Feb 2023, we learned that Microsoft ADC Nairobi was in the process of amending Computer Science courses for several Kenyan higher education institutions.
The ADC had announced that it would collaborate with Kenyan technology universities to review their curriculums and make them more relevant to industry needs as part of its digital skilling efforts in the country.
One of the institutions that it had partnered with was JKUAT. A statement from ADC stated that they had plans to review the Computer Science degree program. The curriculum review program was also expected to be extended to other technical universities that had expressed interest.
Reportedly, ADC and JKUAT’s Department of Computing have completed a review of the university’s Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Bachelor of Computer Technology curriculum to make them more relevant to industry demands.
The new curriculum will impact the delivery of 128 units within the university’s Computer science and Computer technology courses. The updated curriculum is expected to be implemented for students who will begin their studies in September 2023.
The revised curriculum will not only update the traditional technology concepts but will also introduce innovative topics such as Applied Machine Learning, Quantum Computing, Virtual Reality, and User Experience Design.
Also, it will incorporate industry-standard tools at the educational level to enhance students’ familiarity with them before entering the job market.
The curriculum review process is part of the ADC’s larger goal of catalyzing digital transformation by providing opportunities for skill and practical knowledge acquisition to equip Kenyans to be competitive in the global digital landscape. The updated curriculum will assist in preparing students for the demands of a rapidly changing technology industry by emphasizing practical skill development and simulating real-world experience within the classroom – ADC in a statement.
Similar curriculum review initiatives will be implemented at other institutions of higher learning as part of efforts to bridge the gap between industry and academia, particularly in the technology sector.
Speaking about the development, Catherine Muraga, the Managing Director at Microsoft ADC, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in the curriculum review process and have our experts contribute specialized knowledge that will allow for tech industry-ready students and use of improved standards of teaching.”
