Intel has partnered with the University of Nairobi’s innovation hub C4DLab to run design thinking courses within the incubator’s Africa Technology and Innovation Accelerator (AfTIA) programme.
C4DLab is already running the AfTIA programme, bidding to accelerate both student and non-student ventures, and through the partnership with Intel will now begin running a set of design thinking courses.
Design thinking, used by designers to solve complex problems, draws upon logic, imagination, intuition, and systemic reasoning to explore what could be and create outcomes that benefit the end user. Intel will provide its Edison developer boards, sensor kits and other hardware for the programme, and help develop the curriculum.
“Intel recognises the role of innovation in driving sustainable growth and as such will continue to invest in young innovators with a view of empowering them to develop solutions for now and the future,” said Intel general manager for East Africa, Danie Steyn.
“Using design thinking will create a unique opportunity for developers to explore how the Internet of Things (IoT) technology can create solutions that will add value to our society.”
University of Nairobi vice chancellor Professor Peter Mbithi said the university recognised its critical role in driving innovation.
“Kenya is uniquely positioned and well-endowed with a promising innovation ecosystem that if well guided and managed, can have a transformative effect in organizations, the country and even the continent,” he said.
The programme has the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is advocating for open source tools and methodologies, as well as incubation accelerators.
