Moi University in Kenya recently celebrated the inauguration of its first two Chinese-made smart classrooms, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards enhancing educational quality through advanced technology. This initiative, made possible by donations from the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and Donghua University in Shanghai, aims to revolutionize learning by integrating cutting-edge digital tools into the traditional classroom setup.
A Leap towards Modern Education
The introduction of these smart classrooms at Moi University represents a pivotal moment in the country’s educational landscape. The classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art digital audiovisual technology that promises to transform the way students learn. According to Prof. Isaac Kosgey, Vice-Chancellor of Moi University, these classrooms will not only improve the university’s infrastructure for learning, training, and research but also allow for a more interactive and engaging educational experience. “This classroom provides an opportunity to enhance our infrastructure for learning, training, and research. Through this technology, we can complement traditional classrooms that require lecturers and students to be physically present,” Kosgey remarked during the launch ceremony.
The initiative aligns with Moi University’s goal of expanding its open and distance learning programs. Prof. Kosgey emphasized that the digital classrooms will facilitate remote education, thereby making education more accessible and inclusive. The smart classrooms are expected to mitigate some of the challenges associated with traditional e-learning systems, such as poor internet connection and limited display options. The vice-chancellor noted that these new spaces will allow for better connectivity and more features, ensuring a seamless learning experience for students across Kenya.
Boosting Cooperation between Kenya and China
The donation of the smart classrooms also highlights the strengthening educational ties between Kenya and China. Chen Ge, Vice-President of Donghua University, pointed out that the digital classrooms mark the beginning of a broader collaboration between the two countries in the field of education. “The completion of the two smart classrooms is just the beginning. They will be brand new platforms for knowledge exchange,” he said during an online address to the launch ceremony. Chen further highlighted that these classrooms will promote remote education and cultural exchanges, allowing students and teachers from China and Africa to interact efficiently and cooperatively across geographical boundaries.
The donation reflects China’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s educational sector by leveraging technology to address its challenges. Fan Xiuhua, Director of the Confucius Institute of Moi University, noted that the advanced facilities in the smart classrooms are comparable to those used in Chinese universities, which will significantly enhance education and talent cultivation at Moi University. “Digital education has become an important area of cooperation between China and Kenya, as digitalization promotes equality in education,” Fan said. “These smart classrooms will facilitate remote education and cultural exchanges, ensuring that students can learn regardless of their geographical location.”
Training and Implementation
The installation and training of the smart classroom systems were handled by the Confucius Institute of Moi University. The equipment for the classrooms, all made in China, arrived at the Mombasa port in July and was installed by December 7. Jared Ingare, a senior technician in information technology and communications at Moi University, emphasized the importance of this new technology in overcoming the limitations faced by the previous e-learning system. “This launch is the beginning of a new phase in the university, especially in adopting modern technology. The system will solve many challenges, including poor internet connection and missed classes due to technical issues,” Ingare stated. He added that the ability to record lectures and review them later will also solve the problem of missed classes, allowing students to keep up with their studies even if they experience connectivity issues.
Medlyne Achieng, a third-year student at the School of Public Health, shared her excitement about the new system. “With this new technology, we can interact remotely with lecturers and students from anywhere,” she said. “This will save time and allow us to recover time lost due to connectivity issues. The ability to record everything also means that we won’t miss classes anymore, solving a major issue with our previous e-learning system.”
Conclusion
The inauguration of the smart classrooms at Moi University marks a significant step towards modernizing education in Kenya. The advanced digital tools and connectivity solutions provided by these classrooms are expected to enhance the university’s ability to deliver high-quality education and equip students to meet modern challenges. This initiative not only reflects the commitment of the Chinese government to support Kenya’s educational sector but also provides a blueprint for future cooperation in digital education between the two countries. As more educational institutions embrace digital technology, it is clear that the integration of such advanced systems will play a crucial role in shaping the future of learning in Kenya and beyond.
