Exploring Digital Innovation with SCO and AFAS
In September 2025, as part of DIGI-FACE’s centre visits, two DIGI-FACE teams visited two centres at the University of Nairobi, namely the Sustainable Operations for Resource Management and Food Supply (SCO) Centre at the Upper Kabete Campus, and the African Climate and Environment Centre – Future African Savannas (AFAS) at the Chiromo Campus. These visits offered valuable insights into digital teaching practices, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.
Centres for Sustainable Operations for Resource Management and Food Supply (SCO)
On 22 September 2025, Hannes Köninger, Prof Ewald Eisenberg, Elisa Adams, Andrew Thuo, Karlien Potgieter, and Michael Kongo from DIGI-FACE met with Prof Iraki, Prof Mburu, Dr Ndungu, and Mercy Mburu. Discussions focused on strengthening digital learning at the centre, where the SCO team emphasised the need for a secure, accessible teaching platform integrating new technologies while remaining competitive with free online tools.
The SCO team commended the DIGI-FACE system and Moodle’s user-friendly design. Proposed interventions included tailored learning packages, guides for Zoom and Teams, WhatsApp-based learning packs, and AI solutions integrated within Moodle. Discussions explored course ideas such as Prof Iraki’s Innovation and Technology module and Prof Mburu’s digital case studies, AI in education, rethinking academic theses in the AI era, and MPESA as a cross-border payment tool in the East African region and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The visit also highlighted SCO’s first Master’s cohort (10 students) graduating in November and the fact that the Centre had already welcomed its second intake of students.
African Climate and Environment Centre – Future African Savannas (AFAS)
On 25 September 2025, Andrew Thuo, Hannes Koeniger, Drs Susan Kurgat and Malve von Moellendorff, and Profs Karsten Speck and Paul Webb met with Coordinator Lewnorah Ayieta and Jane Watiri of AFAS. The team noted AFAS’s strategic proximity to the University’s IT hub, which ensures strong technical support for online platforms. However, the centre identified the need for Instructional Designers and Learning Technologists to enhance pedagogical design.
AFAS currently uses Google Classroom, Zoom, and a Google repository for teaching and resource sharing, with 21 master’s students across Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and Ethiopia. Plans include developing an Electronic Repository for academic resources, fostering collaboration and visibility across the DAAD network.
Both visits reaffirmed DIGI-FACE’s commitment to advancing digital innovation and sustainable online learning across Africa.
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This is soooo great!
Unfortunate I didn’t know you were there. I am currently in Nairobi.
Would have been great to meet and assist/support the initiative.
Good job, guys!