Egerton University Hosts Third Human-Centered Design Training Program
Egerton University recently hosted its third Human-Centered Design (HCD) training program, aimed at fostering cross-cultural collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship among its students.
The program, which involved around 40 participants, was designed to equip students with the skills to develop innovative technology solutions addressing global challenges in areas such as health, energy management, and local music support.
Dr. Susan Wyche, who led the initiative alongside Dr. Miriam Charimbu and Prof Paul Kimurto, emphasized the program's impact.
"Our goal is to empower students to think creatively and design solutions that are both innovative and practical," said Dr Wyche.
On her part, Dr Charimbu who is the coordinator of the program at Egerton University explained, "This is a key program for our undergraduate and postgraduate students to acquire research skills necessary for both academic and reallife commercialization of ideas from Technology, Agriculture, Security, Education and so much more."
Chris Kasabach from the Watson Foundation, who assisted with the training, added, "It's been a rewarding experience to see students learn how to commercialize their ideas effectively."
The four-day workshop, funded by Mozilla Foundation USA award, concluded with student teams presenting their final prototypes, showcasing their innovative approaches to real-world problems.
"It's been a multimedia presentation and an immersive program that orients our students with modern research skills," Said Prof. Paul Kimurto, Director, Agro-science Park, Egerton University. Deputy Vice chancellor Academic Affairs Prof Bernard Aduda closed the training ceremony and advised the students to use the skills and knowledge on Human Centered designs to improve the future carriers. He also commended the deans for selecting diverse students from different programs and also course coordinators for covering relevant topics covered students at Egerton University and also in various fields from Agriculture and Food security, water conservation, waste management, Health, food safety, animal science technologies, computer technologies, waste management and traditional music. DVC thanked Mozilla Foundation for funding including 4 students who travelled to Michigan state University together with Prof Kimurto who was the mentor for a 2 week exchange to support in evaluating projects by MSU students under the Technologists-in-Residence (TIR) program. Present also during the closure meeting was Dr Oyoo representing both COD of dept CHS, Prof Joyce Ndemo Lelei a CHS and Dean Faculty of Prof Patience Msenga.
By Kurian Musa- Communications Officer, Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization and Prof Paul Kimurto-Director Agroscience Park
