The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology University Council, University Management Board (UMB), and Senate members underwent training on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the institution moves to strengthen digital transformation, innovation, and technology-driven leadership in higher education.
The training, held on May 21, 2026, is part of a series of initiatives organised by the University to enhance digital capacity and promote the adoption of emerging technologies in institutional leadership and operations.
It sought to equip participants with practical insights into the application of AI in higher education management, research, teaching, and decision-making. The training also provided an opportunity to explore the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence in data analysis, innovation, and institutional operations within the higher education sector.
Speaking during the official opening of the training, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi noted that Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a present reality reshaping education, research, innovation, and governance globally.
Prof. Ngumi said the University’s participation in the training reflects its commitment to leadership in science, technology, agriculture, and innovation, adding that JKUAT has consistently aligned its mandate with solutions addressing national and global development challenges.
“We gather here not merely to learn about a trending technology, but to understand and harness a revolutionary force that is redefining education, research, innovation, and governance. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it is the present reality driving global competitiveness,” the Vice Chancellor stated.
Prof. Ngumi emphasized that AI presents unprecedented opportunities to transform teaching and learning by making education more personalised, accessible, and effective.
She further noted that in research and innovation, AI offers powerful tools for data analysis, image recognition in crop health monitoring, climate modelling, and accelerated scientific discovery, enabling researchers to process vast datasets, uncover hidden patterns, and develop solutions that address food security, healthcare, and sustainable development.
The Chair of Council, Dr. Micah Onsando underscored the importance of the training, noting that it is critical in equipping University leadership with the knowledge and competencies required to effectively navigate the evolving digital and technological landscape, particularly in the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence in institutional governance and decision-making.
“As Council, we are delighted to have been part of this training, which marks a significant step in strengthening our capacity to provide strategic oversight in a rapidly evolving technological environment,” Dr. Onsando said.
Director of ICT, Prof. Stephen Kimani, one of the trainers noted that with the growing influence of AI in the education sector, it is imperative for universities to embrace emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, innovation, and service delivery.
“As institutions of higher learning, we must position ourselves to embrace Artificial Intelligence in research, training, and institutional operations in order to remain competitive and responsive to the evolving technological landscape,” he said.
He further highlighted the opportunities AI presents for JKUAT, including personalised and engaging learning experiences, enhanced research support, and improved efficiency in administrative and support services.
Prof. Kimani also underscored the importance of strengthening existing institutional policies and frameworks to guide the ethical, responsible, and effective adoption of Artificial Intelligence within the University.
Speaking from a global AI perspective, Senior Research Scientist at Microsoft Research Africa Lab, Samuel Chege, noted the impressive strides that have been made in Artificial Intelligence and its growing influence across research, industry, education, and innovation.
“It is clear that Artificial Intelligence has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, and it is now evident that we are living in an era where AI is increasingly shaping how we learn, work, conduct research, and solve complex global challenges,” Mr. Chege said.
He further emphasized the emergence of agentic AI as an important advancement in the evolution of Artificial Intelligence, noting its potential to transform decision-making, automation, and problem-solving across various sectors.
The senior researcher also observed that despite rapid advancements in AI, domain expertise remains critical in ensuring contextual understanding, human judgment, and ethical guidance in the application of emerging technologies.
The participants were also trained on ISO matters by Eng. B.K. Kariuki and Dr. Lawrence Nderu, with Dr. Nderu focusing on the application of Artificial Intelligence in research and university training, and how it can be leveraged to enhance academic delivery and institutional capacity building.
