The computing student community at CUK has become vibrant in harnessing the knowledge and skills imparted to them through holistic learning. This move has been influenced by the central and strategic role computing technology has and plays in the 21^st century; its potential to transform the world by enhancing the quality of human living by bringing solutions to perpetual problems facing humanity.

The university’s Google Developer Students Club (GDSC) recently organised a high-level training dubbed “Get to know Compose and Firebase”. The event organiser was Andrew Nderitu (4^th year Bachelor of Science student), the GDSC Lead at CUK who doubles as the winner at UNESCO India-Africa Hackathon 2022. The training occurred at CUK’s main campus (Karen) computer laboratory on Friday, 10^th March 2023. The student turnout was pleasing 40 participants, majorly from the School of Computing and Mathematics (SCM). This depicted learners’ intuitive motivation and quest for computer technology expertise.

The leading facilitator of the event was Sandra Kuria, a Senior Android developer, Women Tech Makers Ambassador, and ex-GDSC Lead at Mount Kenya University. Through her vast knowledge, understanding, and expertise, Ms Kuria took trainees through android development using Firebase – a Google technology. The students accessed a rare opportunity to get immersed in Firebase technology concepts through practical sessions. They demonstrated an exclusive degree of engagement, making the training lively and interactive. This training featured efficiency and succeeded due to the accessibility of the venue by the CUK students. It was advantageous since it allowed those (students) without personal laptops to participate equally by using the computers in the computer laboratory.

At the end of the intensive and all-inclusive training, the student attendees expressed interest and zeal to participate in such events. Sandra, a seasoned trainer, encouraged from her personal experience and urged the participants to take advantage of such pieces of training and events to build their capacity. “These kinds of events expose students to industry standard tools for applications and systems development,” said Sandra. The Director of the Directorate of Academic Quality Assurance (DAQA), Dr Shem Mbandu, affirmed that building the students’ capacity in these professional skills alongside academic training produces fully baked and industry-ready graduates.