Microsoft will Collaborate with Universities to Review Technology Curriculum

The Africa Development Centre (ADC), Microsoft’s regional engineering division, has established a partnership with Kenyan colleges to review and enhance their technology-based curricula and make them more pertinent to market demands.

ADC has agreed to modify the computer science degree program at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) as a starting point, with the possibility of expanding the review to other institutions of higher education that have shown interest.

The program is a component of the organization’s larger ambition to make a significant contribution to the Digital Transformation Strategy of Africa, a master plan with the objective of transforming the society and economy of the continent by 2030 by utilizing digital technology and innovation.

By 2025, the approach hopes to have offered a major online e-skills development program to 300 million Africans annually, giving them a foundational understanding of digital security and privacy.

“As part of the skilling drive, the ADC is looking to improve tech-based curricula within local institutions of higher learning to reduce the skills gap between classrooms and the workplace,” said ADC student and education engagement programme manager Irene Githinji.

“Students pursuing STEM-related courses will benefit from the new curriculum because they will have access to updated resources, courses, and assessments. Additionally, updated curriculums with industry input will help students gain hands-on tech skills that will be useful throughout their tech careers.”

ADC was founded in 2019 with a primary location based at Microsoft locations in Nairobi, Kenya, and Lagos, Nigeria. The company aims to recruit top-tier African technical talent to develop cutting-edge solutions for the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge.

Kenya has significantly improved its ICT infrastructure over the past ten years, solidifying its position as one of the region’s top tech hubs.