The Open University of Kenya (OUK) has signed a strategic partnership with Australian firm BCS Technology International to strengthen training in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills in what leaders describe as a major step in equipping Kenyans for future job opportunities.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paves way for online AI courses, internship placements and job opportunities for top-performing students.
OUK Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Carolyne Omulando, said the collaboration marks a defining moment in the growth of Kenya’s youngest public university.
“Although we are only two years old, we are taking giant steps towards becoming a leader in online learning. With BCS Technology, we can now provide cutting-edge training while linking our students directly to jobs in the digital economy,” she said.
Prof. Omulando added that the top 100 performers from the first intake will be guaranteed placements through BCS’s networks.
She also underscored OUK’s inclusivity agenda, adding that bridging courses in data science, software engineering and responsible AI will be offered to those without strong Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) backgrounds.
“No willing learner will be left behind. We provide preparatory programmes so that all interested students can benefit from this opportunity,” she said.
“This is an opportunity to raise a generation of professionals who are not just employable but immediately productive,” Prof. Omulando explained.
BCS Technology Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Howard Hill-Esbrand, said Kenya was chosen for its youthful and dynamic talent pool.
“Kenya has one of the most promising reservoirs of digital talent in sub-Saharan Africa. Our mission is to build a pipeline of skilled professionals who can serve both local industries and international markets,” he said.
Hill-Esbrand added that an AI incubation lab has been set up to bridge the gap between academic training and industry needs, with a long-term vision of making Kenya a hub for AI innovation.
BCS Technology’s AI Practice Lead, Dr Logeeshan Velmanickam, who also serves as a Professor at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, said the new programme is scheduled to start in September and will run for 12 weeks, combining guided coursework with intensive lab sessions and a hackathon.
“By the end, learners will be able to design and deploy AI systems to international standards. Top performers will progress into global projects and job opportunities,” Dr Logeeshan explained.
He said the curriculum, co-developed with University of Michigan AI scholar Prof. Jason Mars, will cover both beginner-level concepts and advanced applications such as chatbots and secure large language models.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy has backed the initiative, with the university crediting Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo and Principal Secretary John Tanui for supporting its digital expansion.
BCS Country Director Edward Muthiga said the partnership also targets job creation and global competitiveness.
“This collaboration will ensure Kenya produces AI-ready professionals who can meet local industry demands while competing on the world stage. It positions the country as a serious player in the knowledge economy,” he said.
OUK, launched in 2023 as Kenya’s first fully online public university, charges Shs187,000 for a two-year Master’s in Artificial Intelligence, a fee officials say makes advanced digital training affordable to many.
Students under the new programme will participate in projects, hackathons and mentorship sessions with international AI experts.
By Naif Rashid and Wendy Sheilla
