The recent delivery of computers to various institutions, including DeKUT, Meru University, and Jaramogi Oging’a Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), marks a significant milestone in the ENGAGE project. On July 26, during a board meeting at JOOUST, Dr. Emily Osir, the ENGAGE Regional Coordinator, emphasized the initiative’s commitment to excellence and its importance in enhancing educational resources in the western region of Kenya. Computers are expected to be crucial in advancing the ENGAGE project, which aims to empower young women in undergraduate courses and foster research and collaboration in data science, artificial intelligence, and public health.

    

JOOUST’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Aggrey Thuo, reiterated the university’s dedication to facilitating student learning and collaboration through this initiative. He expressed the institution’s readiness to undertake the project to the best of its ability, highlighting its open-door policy for professional partnerships and collaborations. Dr. Ogola Eric, an ENGAGE mentor, shared his excitement about the prospects of using machine learning and cancer research projects as part of the initiative.
Professor Julius Oyugi, the project’s Principal Investigator, outlined the aims of the ENGAGE project and provided background information on the roles of UNITID, DASCLAB, and the University of California, San Francisco in implementing the initiative. He emphasized the importance of developing research questions that can lead to proposals, secure grants, and provide internship opportunities in different sectors. The signing of the Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) and the development of a unique curriculum have been crucial steps in the project’s initiation. Pedagogical skills have also been taught to the trainers to ensure that students receive the best possible training, set to commence on August 5.