Participants at the 2026 Transforming Education Bootcamp at MKU’s Thika Main Campus
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) continues to advance its Transforming Education initiative by equipping educators with the skills, tools, and mindset needed to prepare young people for a rapidly evolving world. Through strategic partnerships and innovative learning platforms, GPF is championing a shift from traditional education models to competency-based, technology-driven approaches that foster creativity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. It is within this vision that GPF Kenya, in collaboration with Oracle Academy and Mount Kenya University (MKU), convened the 2026 Transforming Education Bootcamp at MKU’s Thika Main Campus.
The high-impact bootcamp brought together ICT and Computer Science lecturers from across Kenya and the wider region for intensive training in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, two technologies reshaping the global economy. At its core, the program sought to address a pressing challenge in higher education: the widening gap between rapidly advancing student capabilities and traditional teaching methodologies. As students become increasingly tech-savvy, educators must evolve just as quickly to remain effective and relevant.
Speaking during the bootcamp, MKU Vice Chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi highlighted the urgency of reimagining pedagogy in the AI era. He noted that while technological advancements present immense opportunities, they also demand immediate institutional adaptation. He challenged educators to move beyond conventional teaching and assessment models toward approaches that prioritize application, innovation, and critical thinking, skills that cannot be easily replicated by artificial intelligence. “The future of education lies in our ability to integrate these innovations into curriculum delivery,” he said.
Participants at the 2026 Transforming Education Bootcamp at MKU’s Thika Main Campus
The partnership also emphasized accessibility and openness in acquiring industry-relevant skills. Danny Gooris, senior director at Oracle Academy, highlighted that today’s employers increasingly value practical experience over theoretical knowledge. Through Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), educators and students gain access to the same advanced tools used by leading global companies, enabling them to design, build, and deploy real-world solutions. This hands-on approach ensures that graduates are not only knowledgeable but also job-ready.
Participants at the 2026 Transforming Education Bootcamp at MKU’s Thika Main Campus
Further reinforcing this commitment, Lorna Juma, Oracle Academy program manager for Africa, called on institutions across Africa to leverage Oracle Academy’s free resources, which include world-class curriculum, cloud technologies, and experiential learning opportunities. By removing financial barriers, the initiative opens doors for more students and educators to participate in the digital economy. The training also focused on future-proofing education systems by integrating machine learning, autonomous databases, and cloud-based development into academic programs.
Beyond technical advancement, the bootcamp highlighted the role of education in driving peace and sustainable development. GPF Africa Regional Representative Daniel Juma Omondi connected the initiative to a broader social mission. By strengthening the capacity of educators, the partnership is investing in a generation of innovators capable of developing local solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance. This approach reflects GPF’s belief that education is not only a pathway to employment but also a powerful tool for nation-building and social cohesion.
The impact of the bootcamp was immediately evident to participants. Dr. John Kamau, dean of the School of Computing and Informatics at MKU, described the sessions as both timely and transformative, noting that the insights gained, particularly in autonomous databases and cloud-based application development, would directly enhance MKU’s curriculum and teaching practices.
Through initiatives like the 2026 Transforming Education Bootcamp, the Global Peace Foundation continues to bridge the gap between education and the future of work, ensuring that learning institutions are not only responsive to change but also active drivers of innovation and development. By empowering educators, fostering partnerships, and expanding access to cutting-edge resources, GPF is helping to shape a generation equipped to lead, innovate, and build more peaceful and prosperous communities.
Explore more about GPF’s Transforming Education area of work and join in supporting efforts to advance education that truly prepares young people for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
