UoN hosted the 4th British Council Learning and Design Lab in Nairobi
On Monday, 24th November- 28th November, 2025, UoN hosted the 4th British Council Learning and Design Lab in Nairobi.
Eleven (11) University of Nairobi (UoN) and Eight (8) Northumbria University students, participated in the 4th Learning and Design Lab in Nairobi sponsored by the British Council and facilitated by Circle Innovations and Fresh Networks. The week-long design lab saw the students develop prototypes on an innovation solution to the Dairy farmer.
Monica Blagescu, Head of Programmes at the British Council of Kenya, emphasized the critical role of the people to people connections and the exchange of culture that is realized through the global partnerships. She urged both institutions to make the most of the opportunity and seek more areas of collaboration. She also encouraged the students to maximize on the lessons and pick lessons that they could apply in their coursework.
The University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Prof. Kerubo Leonida In her remarks, emphasized the Vice Chancellors intention of creating dynamic learning environments that equip students with relevant skills and inspire bold ideas. She highlighted the university’s dedication to strengthening research collaborations and adopting innovative teaching models that reflect the rapidly changing global landscape.
“The Learning and Design This Lab represents more than a training workshop. It symbolizes the power of partnership, the value of co-creation, and the future of higher education. This is a future where universities transcend traditional boundaries and evolve as engines of innovation, knowledge translation, and societal transformation.”
Prof. Kerubo also underscored the role of interdisciplinary collaboration, noting that innovation thrives in environments where diverse skills and perspectives converge. She encouraged The 12 students who represented the University of Nairobi and faculty to take full advantage of the 5 day opportunities presented through the conference from workshops and design challenges to mentorship sessions with UK and Kenyan innovation experts.
The program will give students an opportunity to immerse themselves in design research, prototype development, field engagement, and industry-supported learning. They will visit Fresh Networks at Prabhaki Industrial Park, conduct community-based design research in Nairobi’s food systems spaces, engage in ethical design training and work side-by-side with experts in IoT-enabled food innovation, social enterprise management and digital service testing. These are not abstract exercises, they mirror real-world challenges and equip our students with skills that are essential for the future of work.
Representatives from Northumbria University commended the strong ties between their institution and the University of Nairobi, noting that the new collaboration expands an already growing portfolio of joint projects in creativity, digital design, and research. They expressed confidence that the conference will pave the way for more long-term academic partnerships, faculty exchanges, and cross-institutional learning experiences.
The British Council also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting educational transformation in Kenya by helping institutions build international networks, expand access to global knowledge, and empower students to become innovators and global citizens.
The collaboration between UoN, Northumbria University, and the British Council reflects a growing commitment to strengthening international cooperation in higher education. Representatives from the three institutions affirmed that joint initiatives such as the Learning and Design Lab serve as platforms for developing new academic models, fostering student creativity, and supporting research that responds to real-world challenges.
Present during the opening ceremony was Prof. Kenneth Ogolla, Dean Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Prof. Jack Odhiambo, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Director, Research, Prof. Thomas Ochukwu and Prof. Mary Kinoti.
