Mount Kenya University (MKU) has announced a bold shift towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching, research, and administration, unveiling new academic programmes and AI-driven learning approaches during its 27th graduation ceremony on August 8.
The event, themed “Catalysing Innovation: Universities as Drivers of Artificial Intelligence”, saw more than 6,000 students graduate 5,447 with bachelor’s degrees, 691 with master’s degrees, and 10 with doctorates. Among them were 86 students from the Equip Africa Institute, MKU’s Kitale-based affiliate specialising in healthcare training.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi said the theme reflects MKU’s renewed strategic direction, positioning AI at the heart of its academic and operational framework. The University has introduced 13 new and revised programmes, notably the Master’s and Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, both under the School of Computing and Informatics.
“Our curricula will now embed AI attributes to enhance pedagogy, increase educational outcomes, and prepare students for a technology-driven future,” Prof. Jaganyi noted.
In addition to new courses, MKU has integrated AI into its institutional operations through the University Integrated Resource Platform (UnIRP), a custom-built ICT system designed to streamline academic and administrative processes, boost research, and improve student engagement. According to Dr Vincent Gaitho, the platform will enable real-time monitoring and management of key functions, enhancing efficiency and service delivery.
Dr Tonny Omwansa, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), lauded MKU’s strategic focus on AI, urging students to leverage emerging technologies for innovation and social impact. “Universities like MKU are not just consumers of trends; they are catalysts shaping socio-economic development,” he said. “You stand at the frontier of a new era. With AI, you can innovate and transform lives.”
By aligning academic programmes with cutting-edge digital technologies, MKU aims to position itself as a global hub for excellence in education, research, and innovation, preparing graduates to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.
