Empowering Postgraduates in Southwestern Kenya: A Journey of Learning and Global Connections

This blog post was written by Abiud Bosire about his experiences of running workshops in Kenya as part of his GO-GN scholarship.

During the months of July and August, I had the opportunity to facilitate a series of postgraduate workshops in Southwestern Kenya, with the goal of empowering students with knowledge about open education and the vast academic opportunities available to them on a global scale. These workshops were part of a small project funded by the Global OER Graduate Network (GO-GN), and they coincided with my doctoral pilot study in Kenya, making my six-week stay in the country even more memorable.

During this time, we delivered two of the four  workshops planned under the theme “Empowering Postgraduates to Bridge Global Networks and Opportunities“. In this blog, I will share the highlights of these two workshops, the first of which was held at Rongo University on July 18, 2024, and the second a fortnight later at Kisii University on August 2, 2024. I will also reflect on our experiences at the two universities and workshops, discuss what we learnt, and provide a preview of the remaining workshops at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University (JOOUST) and Maasai Mara University.

But, before I dive into the details, let me share my motivation for holding this workshops in Southwestern Kenya. These workshops are inspired by my personal experiences. For years after receiving my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Nairobi in Kenya, my elder brother Erick relentlessly urged me to pursue better academic opportunities to further my education. I did this, however, with many reservations. It wasn’t until I attended an information-sharing workshop about the Erasmus Mundus scholarship that I decided to put my best foot forward. That workshop provided not only information, but also introduced me to the world of scholarships, leading to my first, the Erasmus Mundus scholarship to study in Portugal. I believe that similar information sharing workshops can motivate other students in the same way.

Rongo University: A Dynamic Start

Our inaugural workshop at Rongo University really set the bar high for the rest of the workshops in the other institutions. We had 22 postgraduate students from different faculties joining us, all eager to dive into discussions on Open Education Resources (OER) and global networks. The energy in this workshop was contagious and it was demonstrated through the participants’ palpable eagerness to understand open education and how they could leverage OER, global networks and academic opportunities to enhance their research and academic journeys.

A huge shoutout to Dr. Stephen Momanyi, who helped organise this workshop and made sure everything ran smoothly. His dedication and meticulous planning, together with the support from Dr. Rono and Dr. Sibour turned the workshop into an engaging and interactive session. It was great to see all participants actively contributing ideas and discussing how OER, global opportunities and networks could benefit their studies and research at Rongo University. This collaborative spirit highlighted the potential of open education and global networks such as GO-GN can have on students’ academic success.

A personal highlight for me was the rare opportunity of meeting the Rongo University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Gudu. He was incredibly supportive of the whole initiative and emphasised the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in today’s interconnected world. His commitment and enthusiasm for supporting similar initiatives in the future left me feeling like this was just the beginning of something great.

Kisii University: Building the Momentum

Following our first workshop at Rongo University, our second workshop at Kisii University got even better. This time, 36 postgraduate students, and seven faculty members came together to discuss the possibilities and benefits of open education and global opportunities. The diverse perspectives from the students and faculty across different disciplines sparked some fascinating discussions, creating a dynamic, multi-disciplinary dialogue. The students weren’t just eager to learn-they were ready to apply the knowledge and insights gained to their ongoing research and academic projects.

Special thanks to Dr. Peter Oino, Dean School of Arts and Social Science, whose support and excellent organisation made the workshop possible. His coordination and logistical planning were vital to its success. And of course, I cannot forget to give special thanks to other faculty member who played key roles in making the day and workshop a success: Dr. Walubwa, Dr. Ichuloi, Dr. Aberi, Dr. Nyandoro, Dr. Otieno­­­. Your contributions truly enriched the experience for everyone. Asanteni Sana!

What We Learned

One of the key takeaways from both workshops was the realisation that most learners were unfamiliar of Open Educational Resources (OER)—which highlighted the significance of this initiative. Hence, the need to raise awareness and improve access to OER across Kenyan universities.

Secondly, the buzz and discussions around global opportunities was equally imperative.  Students were eager to learn and gather information that could help them explore these networks and opportunities to thrive in their academic journeys. Their engagement and enthusiasm underscored the importance of these workshops-not just for introducing new concepts such as OER, but also in inspiring students to think and act globally.

Acknowledgements and What’s Next

As I reflect on these two workshops, I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has contributed to this project so far. First and foremost, a huge thank you to the Global OER Graduate network (GO-GN) for funding this initiative. Without your support, these workshops wouldn’t have been possible. Your dedication to working with postgraduate students globally truly embodies the network’s motto, Tuko Pamoja (We Are Together). Your support has been instrumental in bringing these learning opportunities to postgraduates in Southwestern Kenya.

Also, I wish to thank Rongo University and Kisii University for hosting these workshops, and especially Dr. Stephen Momanyi and Dr. Peter Oino for their incredible support. Asanteni Sana to both of you, and I look forward to our continued collaboration. With the first two workshops complete, I look forward to the upcoming sessions at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University and Maasai University in December 2024.
Reflecting on what we have accomplished so far and what lies ahead, I feel that these workshops were not just events -but they created platforms and spaces for growth, connection, and the sharing of ideas that can catapult postgraduate students towards achieving their academic goals. I am confident that these workshops will leave a lasting impact on the participants, helping them navigate the complex academic landscape at a global scale.

I look forward to sharing more updates as we continue to empower more students through these workshops. Stay tuned for more stories of learning, growth, and success.

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Abiud Bosire

Abiud Bosire is a doctoral candidate at the Chair of Education with a focus on Diversity Education and International Educational Research of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. His research focuses on global education in school in divergent contexts, particularly with a comparative perspective.

You can find more about Abiud Bosire at : linkedin.com/in/abiud-bosire-globaleducation