From February 12^th to 20^th 2025, the College of Engineering and Technology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) was a hub of innovation and collaboration, as technologists and faculty members came together for a series of cutting-edge workshops under the iPIC × ICEE Projects. The workshop, focusing on Virtual Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), offered an exceptional opportunity for hands-on learning and exchange of ideas among experts from various disciplines. The atmosphere was one of excitement, as participants engaged with some of the most advanced technologies shaping the future.

The first session, centering around creating VR educational materials for welding, was led by Assistant Professor Tomoaki Kageyama from the Innovation Center for Engineering Education (ICEE) of Tottori University Japan.  As technologists and faculty members gathered for the first session on February 13, the focus was on development and building of the right environment for VR training. With welding being an essential skill in engineering fields, using VR technology to simulate real-world welding scenarios could revolutionize how students are trained, offering a safe and controlled virtual space to practice without the risks associated with traditional methods.

In these first three days, participants exchanged ideas about how to capture real-world environments through 3D scanning techniques. With tools like Unity and cutting-edge VR technology, they worked on developing a VR experience that could one day become an essential part of welding training in colleges and industries.  Faculty members contributed valuable insights, combining their teaching experience with the technical expertise brought in by the technologists.

The discussions were intense, and by the end of Day 3, the development of the VR welding training program had made significant strides. The goal was clear: create an immersive experience that could enhance students’ understanding of welding principles while making learning more engaging and practical.

On Friday February 14, the focus shifted to developing IoT systems, a workshop coordinated by Mr. Naoyuki Kawashiri from ICEE. The Internet of Things has become a cornerstone of modern technological innovation, and technologists and faculty were eager to learn how to integrate IoT into their teaching and research.

The day began with a hands-on idea workshop, where participants were encouraged to brainstorm and share their concepts for IoT applications. By using ESP32 microcontrollers, Arduino, and the Arduino Cloud, they learned how to develop small but functional IoT devices. Through hands-on experimentation, participants quickly understood how IoT systems could be used to connect the physical and digital worlds—whether in agriculture, manufacturing, or everyday life.

As the workshop progressed, teams began developing prototypes, applying their newfound knowledge to real-world challenges. The atmosphere was collaborative, with faculty members sharing their academic experiences and technologists guiding them in the practical implementation of their ideas.

By Day 6, the projects had taken shape, and the participants were ready to present their IoT systems, demonstrating how these innovations could be incorporated into the curriculum to enhance learning outcomes and real-world application.

The final workshop that took place on February 18, focused on AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), an area that merges IoT with AI, allowing devices to not only connect but also think and learn. Under the guidance of Mr. Tomoaki Kageyama, participants had the opportunity to work with the Jetson Nano, an AI development platform powered by NVIDIA’s GPU.

This hands-on experience was particularly eye-opening for technologists and faculty who were looking to explore the potential of edge computing in AI

applications. With AI increasingly becoming integrated into IoT devices, the session allowed participants to delve into how AI can improve the functionality of IoT systems—by enabling devices to make intelligent decisions in real-time.

By the afternoon session, participants were developing their own AIoT projects, with faculty members exploring how such technologies could be incorporated into engineering education. The workshop was an excellent introduction to the world of AI, with practical demonstrations showcasing the power of edge computing using the Jetson Nano.

The final day, February 20, was a culmination of the intense and insightful training. It was a moment for the technologists and faculty members to showcase their hard work and innovations. Each group presented their IoT system projects, highlighting their concepts, development process, and potential real-world applications. The presentations were not just demonstrations of technical prowess but also reflections of the creativity and collaboration that had defined the entire workshop series.

The participants had created a range of solutions, from smart environmental monitoring systems to automated industrial process controllers, illustrating how IoT could be leveraged to solve practical challenges in engineering and beyond. Faculty members particularly appreciated how these projects could be integrated into engineering education to give students hands-on experience with modern technologies.

As the presentations concluded, the Engineering Workshop Manager, Dr. Daniel Omondi took the stage to deliver the closing benediction. With warmth and appreciation, he thanked the facilitators: Assistant Professor Tomoaki Kageyama and Mr. Naoyuki Kawashiri, recognizing their dedication and expertise in guiding the participants through these transformative learning experiences. He extended heartfelt gratitude to the technologists and faculty members who had actively engaged in the training, acknowledging their commitment to expanding their knowledge and skills for the benefit of their students and the broader engineering community.

“This workshop series has been a true testament to the power of collaboration and continuous learning,” he said. “The knowledge gained here will not only enhance our teaching methods but will also inspire future generations of engineers to embrace new technologies. We are grateful to our facilitators for sharing their expertise hoping that this could be made an annual undertaking as JKUAT continues to collaborate with Tottori University. I also wish to thank every participant for your enthusiasm and contributions.  Let us take what we have learned and apply it to make a lasting impact in our institutions and industries,” Dr. Omondi concluded.

With those final words, the room erupted into applause. The workshop series had come to an end, but its impact was just beginning. Technologists and faculty members left inspired, equipped with new skills, and ready to integrate VR, IoT, and AIoT into their educational and professional practices.

As they stepped out of the venue, discussions about future projects and collaborations filled the air. It was clear that this was not just a training event—it was the start of a technological revolution within the College of Engineering and Technology at JKUAT.