Workshop on Virtual Labs for Kenyatta University

CEMCA supported an awareness creation workshop on virtual labs for teachers at Kenyatta University, Nairobi on 12-13 January 2022. The workshop was organised by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver in partnership with Kenyatta University.  

During the inaugural session, Dr. George Onyango, Dean, Digital School, spoke of how virtual labs could help students to achieve their learning outcomes. Professor Madhu Parhar, Director CEMCA, highlighted the critical role of virtual labs in science education; particularly during the pandemic, and appreciated the University’s initiative in moving forward with virtual labs. Professor Michael Gicheru, Dean, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, emphasised that virtual labs promote better understanding of scientific concepts through hands-on activities. Professor Jane-Frances Agbu, Adviser, Higher Education COL, spoke of virtual labs as the future of education. Dr. Eric Masika, Coordinator in Charge of Continuing Education Programme (CEP) at Kenyatta University moderated the session.  

The workshop was conducted by Mr. Saneesh, VALUE Virtual Labs, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.  An overview of virtual labs was provided; experiments from Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences were demonstrated; and research insights into the use of virtual labs were presented. Around twenty instructors from three Schools at Kenyatta University - the Digital School of Virtual and Open Learning, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, and School of Engineering & Technology, attended the workshop. Participants explored the experiments, engaged collaboratively in hands-on activities, and shared their learning. The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Shiffon Chatterjee, Senior Programme Officer, CEMCA.