China donates smart classrooms to Moi University

Moi University has inaugurated a state-of-the-art digital audiovisual smart classrooms, donated by China, marking a groundbreaking development in the university's educational infrastructure.

This facility, along with another launched earlier this month, represents the first of its kind at Moi University and is expected to revolutionize the learning experience.

The smart classrooms, donated by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Donghua University in Shanghai, aim to enhance the university's capability to deliver high-quality education, promote interactive learning, and prepare students to meet modern-day challenges.

Moi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kosgey highlighted the transformative potential of the classrooms during the launch ceremony.

"This classroom provides an opportunity to enhance our infrastructure for learning, training, and research. Through this technology, we can complement traditional classrooms that require lecturers and students to be physically present," he said.

The advanced equipment for the classrooms, manufactured in China, arrived at Mombasa port in July, with the first classroom's installation completed on December 7, according to the Confucius Institute of Moi University.

Speaking at the event through an online address, Chen Ge, Vice-President of Donghua University, emphasized the strategic significance of the project in strengthening ties between the two universities.

"The digital classrooms will elevate the cooperation between the two universities in the field of technology by helping Moi University become more efficient in its open and distant learning program," he said.

"The completion of the two smart classrooms is just the beginning. They will be brand new platforms for knowledge exchange. Through this platform, students and teachers from China and Africa will be able to conduct convenient and efficient interactions and cooperate across geographical boundaries."

Fan Xiuhua, director of the Confucius Institute of Moi University, stressed the importance of these modern facilities in advancing education.

"The facilities involved in the smart classroom are as advanced as those used in universities in China, which will greatly improve education and talent cultivation in the university," she said.

"Digital education has become an important area of cooperation between China and Kenya, as digitalization promotes equality in education. Such smart classrooms will facilitate remote education and cultural exchanges."

Jared Ingare, a senior technician in information technology and communications at Moi University, expressed optimism about the institution's transition to modern technology after undergoing training on the equipment.

"The launch of the smart classrooms is the beginning of a new phase in the University, especially in the adoption of modern technology," he said.

Ingare also noted that the system would address long-standing challenges in digital learning, such as poor internet connectivity and limited features.

Students have also welcomed the new technology, appreciating the benefits it brings. Medlyne Achieng, a third-year student at the School of Public Health, shared her thoughts on the improvements.

"The challenges faced with the old e-learning system included poor display, weak connectivity, and missed classes due to technical issues," she said.

"By enabling lecturers and students to interact remotely, the new system will allow them to save time as well as recover the time lost due to connectivity issues. The fact that everything can be recorded and reviewed later will also solve the problem of missing classes."