The University of Nairobi (UoN) is embarking on a significant initiative to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) school, aimed at creating a skilled workforce for the future.
Speaking to a local station, UoN Chancellor Prof. Patrick Verkooijen announced that the university will also soon offer the first-ever AI master’s degree in Kenya.
“We’re going to do that because it has this economic growth trajectory. And we have the assets for it. We have the best computer science students, business entrepreneurship students, and then combined with this innovation part, we have something to build on for the future,” Verkooijen stated.
He also emphasized that the future will be heavily reliant on AI, making it crucial to develop skills for future job markets.
In addition to the AI school, Verkooijen revealed plans to establish a Green Jobs Centre at the university.
This center will focus on educating students about climate change, preparing them for future jobs that will increasingly revolve around environmental and climate-related issues.
Verkooijen highlighted the importance of equipping learners with the knowledge and skills needed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.
To help UoN graduates tap into this emerging job market, Verkooijen explained that the institution has decided to engage industry players and employers to strike an exchange programme.
The UoN Chancellor explained the institution would collaborate with the industry captains and develop a curriculum that would equip students with relevant skills that fit the job demands.
In return, the environmentalist announced that the executives must commit to hiring green centre graduates.
“The jobs of the future are not in the old fossils industry. The well-paid jobs are in the green sector,” he stated.
