Samsung Electronics and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to effectively address the current gaps in digital and Artificial Intelligence access and skill.
Culminating in the launch of the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), the MoU is a strategic effort in building the national digital talent pipeline. This critical move aims to position learners for future opportunities within the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and cultivate a workforce that is proficient and AI-savvy.
Samsung Electronics East Africa President Richard Lee officially launched the program on Wednesday, calling the collaboration a long-term investment dedicated to strengthening Kenya’s digital workforce. The partnership commits JKUAT to train 80 students yearly in specialized areas, including AI and Coding/Programming.
Graduates of the program will possess the practical skills necessary for employment, complemented by a portfolio of real projects.
JKUAT’s School of Computing and Information Technology will house the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) alongside JHUB Africa, the university’s innovation and incubation hub. This setup is perfectly suited for SIC, as JHUB Africa offers critical training, mentorship, start-ups, and incubation which effectively blend academic study with market-driven innovation and entrepreneurship.
“The Samsung Innovation Campus represents a long-term commitment to developing skilled individuals who will drive Kenya’s digital economy. We are proud to invest in the Kenyan digital talent pipeline as our success is intertwined with the well-being of our communities,” said Mr Lee.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi affirmed that the new partnership represented a crucial juncture for the university and the advancement of Kenya’s digital transformation efforts.
“The program is a strategic investment in Kenya’s future as the skills taught here are the very engines of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Moreover, the design deliberately focuses on benefiting underserved youth and achieving gender inclusion, with at least half of our trainees expected to be women,” she noted.
Additionally, JHUB Africa founder Dr. Lawrence Nderu highlighted the comprehensive training model: students will gain industry-ready skills directly from both academic experts (JKUAT lecturers) and corporate specialists (Samsung experts), ensuring a practical and relevant education.
Concluding the launch, JHUB Africa founder Dr. Lawrence Nderu summarized the program’s value emphasizing that it would massively elevate Kenya’s technology talent pipeline, securing a competitive future for the nation.
by Hellen Lunalo
