Five Egerton University students recently participated in the Technologists-in-Residence Program by the Mozilla Foundation, as part of the ongoing collaboration with Michigan State University (MSU). This initiative has brought significant academic and professional benefits to Egerton students, opening up new opportunities for learning and growth.
The program facilitated the participation of Jim Karemu Muguna, Melvin Ochami, Shalin Moraa Onchiri, Godfrey Mwiti, and George Otieno Adoyo, who attended MSU classes virtually from January 9, 2023, to April 30, 2023. Following the virtual classes, the students traveled to MSU for a two-week stay, engaging in a variety of academic and professional activities.
They engaged in various academic and professional activities, which included collaborating on technology design projects, participating in research seminars, presenting posters on human-centered design research, and visiting different schools and departments within MSU.
Through the collaboration with MSU, Egerton University has experienced significant benefits, particularly for its students. This partnership has opened doors for enriching academic and professional experiences, notably through the Technologists-in-Residence program by the Mozilla Foundation.
The program, aimed at fostering critical thinking about the social and political dimensions of computing, has brought profound opportunities for both institutions, enhancing their curricula and broadening students' perspectives.
The Technologists-in-Residence program was initiated to support the conceptualization, development, and implementation of curricula that encourage students to integrate African perspectives into technology design. The program’s primary goal was to revamp an existing technology design course at MSU, incorporating African history, Black Feminist Studies, Decolonial Theory, ethics, and multilingualism.
The visit provided an invaluable platform for the students to interact with scholars, dignitaries, and advanced facilities at MSU. They explored the MSU-Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, the MSU Plant Science Research Center, the Center for Integrated Plant Systems, and attended events at the Digital Scholarship Lab. Additionally, the students met representatives from MSU's Office of International Student and Scholars and the African Alliance for African Partnerships, learning about the application processes for graduate programs.
Prof. Paul Kimurto, the Director of the Agro-Science Park and Director of Marketing and Resource Mobilization at Egerton University, led the delegation. Prof. Kimurto played a key role as a guest lecturer and student mentor during the visit.
“These exchanges are crucial for fostering a global outlook among students, which is vital in today's interconnected world,” he said.
He shared insights on the impact of such international collaborations on enhancing the academic fabric of Egerton University. According to Prof. Kimurto, these exchanges are crucial for fostering a global outlook among students, which is vital in today's interconnected world.
The delegation also included Dr. Miriam Karwitha Charimbu, an Egerton faculty member, who, along with Prof. Kimurto, has been instrumental in developing a "human-centered design" short course. This course, co-taught at Egerton University, exemplifies the collaborative efforts between the two universities to create a curriculum that is both globally relevant and locally contextualized.
“Our collaboration with MSU has allowed us to create a curriculum that is both globally relevant and locally contextualized," Dr. Charimbu noted. "This initiative has truly enriched our teaching and learning experiences.”
Dr. Charimbu, a visiting scholar at MSU during the 2021-2022 academic year, played a significant role in this partnership, supported by MSU's Alliance for African Partnership's “African Future Scholars" program.
The Technologists-in-Residence program is not only about academic learning but also about professional and personal development. The award from the Mozilla Foundation covered travel expenses, provided laptops, and offered stipends to the participants. This support enabled the students to fully immerse themselves in the experience without financial constraints.
During their stay, the Egerton students engaged in professional development activities, attended sporting events, and recorded videos documenting their experiences and insights about the course.
The Egerton-MSU Collaboration is among the many international collaborations in higher education the University engages in. Such collaborations enrich the educational experience by exposing students to diverse perspectives and advanced research facilities, fostering a culture of innovation and critical thinking.
This partnership with MSU signifies a step forward in its mission to provide quality education and produce graduates who are well-prepared to tackle global challenges, offering an enriching shared best practices and knowledge management experiences.
As Prof. Kimurto aptly put it, “This collaboration has not only enriched our students' academic experiences but has also laid a strong foundation for future partnerships and innovations in technology and education.”
Written By: Kurian Musa and George Otieno Adoyo
Edited by: Prof. Paul Kimurto.
Revised by: Dr Miriam Charimbu.
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Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization
