KU-IDeA

Initiative for Development in Africa at Kenyatta University (KU-IDeA)
The initiative for development in Africa is a student led initiative started on September 2007 after a successful collaboration between Kenyatta University and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). The collaboration involved the Collaborative teaching program which was facilitated by Kenyatta University’s Centre for Research with assistance from other departments in KU. The crucial departments included the Department of Fine art and economics. In its first year of inception the initiative undertook the following activities; which are elaborated further in the following Chapters:
1. The implementation of the Peri-Urban ICT solutions pilot Project. This was a joint venture between Kenyatta University and Commission of Higher Education. Kenyatta University through centre for Research employed Initiative for Development in Africa’s manpower and skill in the implementation of the Project. The project hoped to educate the peri-Urban communities on the Usefulness of Information Technology in the betterment of their living standards. It was undertaken in six different sites for a period of ten weeks.
2. Community service at Christ our refuge children’s home Kahawa Sukari. Members of the initiative visited the children’s home with the aim of mentoring the Orphaned children on the opportunities they had and how they can achieve them. This was a full day’s event which involved cooking for the children, performing their daily chores, playing with them and having a one on one talk with each individual Child present.
3. Training on Research and proposal writing skills. With the help of Kenyatta University Lecturers, namely; Dr Charity Gichuki, Dr Stephen Nyaga and Mr George Vikiru and Kenyatta University’s Masters student Miss Mercy Mwaniki, the initiative trained 12** students on research an proposal writing skills. This was done between the period of September 2007 and April 2008.
4. Training on Digital Media and Communication. This was done from September 2007 to April 2008 facilitated by Kenyatta University Students Who Underwent the Kenyatta University and Georgia Tech Institute Collaborative Teaching Program facilitated by the Centre for Research, Kenyatta University. The department of fine art provided the technical and logistical support needed.
5. Training in Engineering Economics for Technological Entrepreneurship. The training was initiated on February 2008 and was facilitated by students who undertook the Collaborative Teaching Program between Kenyatta University and Georgia Institute of Technology.
6. Guest Lecture. The initiative welcomed a Researcher (National Museums)/Journalist (Nation Media)/Research Consultant United Nations Kenya to give a key note speech during the end of year ceremony held at the AVU main Hall.
Currently the initiative is undertaking the following activities:
a) Community services: The initiative wants to change its focus to long term help to the communities from the short term supply of food and other materials. This will be achieved by:
i. Seeking development support to Christ our refuge Children’s home. This will lead to the establishment of a long term economic support to the home.
ii. Collaboration with other organizations in community services e.g. the collaboration with the Kenyatta University Students Union in the cleanup of Nairobi River and sensitization of the communities around the rivers.
b) 2. Training on Research and proposal writing skills. The initiative is hoping to expand the training curricula from proposal writing to cover all the aspects involved in research from project identification to reporting and presentations.
c) 3. Training on Digital Media and Communication. The initiative hopes to take its members through ways of digital conveying of information.
4. Training on Engineering Economics for Technological Entrepreneurship. This is a course which aims at sensitizing members on ways of self employment.

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