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CoL Testimonials

Commonwealth Of Learning Scholarships Building Skills For Work

Overview

The Open University of Kenya (OUK), in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL), provided scholarship opportunities to pursue various online short courses to support the skilling and upskilling of its staff and students.

Their testimonials speak of the impact of the Scholarships.

Mugoya Mark
ACHIEVEMENTS IN LEADERSHIP

Mugoya MARK | student

I am Mugoya Mark. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Economics and Statistics degree. The CoL scholarship not only facilitated my academic journey but also empowered me to make a tangible difference in society. Through innovative teaching methods learned during the program, I have been able to engage students more effectively, fostering a love for learning among them. This Scholarship has not only transformed my career but has also allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the development of my community. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity it provided.

Eric Omondi
ACHIEVEMENTS IN DATA ANALYSIS

Eric OMONDI | student

I am Eric Omondi, a first-year Bachelor of Data Science student. I am an Immigration Officer attached to the Data Analysis section. I applied for a Google Professional Certificate in Data Analytics offered through Coursera and sponsored by the Commonwealth of Learning. The course is designed to be completed within six (6) months but I completed it in two (2) months. I gained new skills and insights in collecting, preparing, analyzing and reporting output of data analysis. Most notable skills gained include advance spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau, R programming. These skills have greatly improved my efficiency when dealing with data at my place of work.

Okoth Kenneth Okoth
ACHIEVEMENTS IN CYBERSECURITY

Kenneth OKOTH | student

I am Okoth Kenneth Okoth, a first-year Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics student. I had the privilege of successfully completing the Google Cybersecurity Foundation course. The CoL program was instrumental in equipping me with essential skills for today's digital landscape. Through the program, I gained insight into various crucial areas such as risk management, network protection, Linux and SQL proficiency, asset management, threat detection and response, and automating cybersecurity tasks with Python. These skills have not only enriched my understanding of cybersecurity but also aided me in comprehending my ongoing course. I can confidently assert that the knowledge and skills acquired have empowered me to effectively perform tasks such as penetration testing.

Rewel Renson Mumbo Adedi
ACHIEVEMENTS IN DATA ANALYTICS

Renson MUMBO | student

I am Rewel Renson Mumbo Adedi pursuing a Bachelor of Data Science degree. I applied for the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and it took me two (2) months to complete it. The program had a profound impact on me by pushing me to manage my time well and enabling me to understand basic data analytics concepts, more so R programming. I would love to take more CoL programs because they assist in complementing what we learn in class.

Barbara Metto
ACHIEVEMENTS IN BUSINESS

Barbara METTO | staff

I am Barbara Metto, a member of staff at the Open University of Kenya. I completed the "Excel Skills for Business: Essentials" course with Coursera in four (4) weeks. The skills I acquired have significantly boosted my confidence in using Excel for my daily tasks, making my work life easier and more efficient. This proficiency has not only improved my productivity and data management at work but also contributes to a more streamlined and effective organizational workflow. By applying these skills, I can better support my colleagues and enhance our collective output.

Elykanah Langat
ACHIEVEMENTS IN LEADERSHIP

Elykanah LANGAT | student

I am Elykanah Langat, currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Accountability. I recently applied for the Google Project Management course and successfully completed three (3) certifications; Foundations of Project Management, Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project, and Project Planning: Putting It All Together. Throughout this course, I have learned how to manage projects in various situations and secure the necessary resources for success. This training is invaluable in preparing for the challenges of the 21st century.

Alex Chege
ACHIEVEMENTS IN CYBERSECURITY

Alex CHEGE | student

I am Alex Chege. I am a first-year student pursuing Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics. I undertook Cybersecurity for Everyone; a course that is offered by the University of Maryland, College Park. I took approximately three (3) weeks to complete it. The course enabled me to gain an understanding on the fundamentals of cybersecurity including basic concepts of cybersecurity, types of cyber-attacks, threat actors and notable examples of cyber-attacks. The course was an eye opener and the case studies solidified the theoretical knowledge that we acquired.

Dan Kimani Mbatia
ACHIEVEMENTS IN DATA SCIENCE

Dan KIMANI | student

I am Dan Kimani Mbatia, a current student pursuing a Bachelor of Data Science. I also serve as the Administrator at Scripture Union of Kenya. Through the CoL scholarship, I had the privilege to complete the Google Professional Certificates where I studied six (6) programs in Project Management and three programs in Business Intelligence. The courses have significantly enhanced my project management and data analysis skills, improving my efficiency and effectiveness in my role at Scripture Union of Kenya. This opportunity has been transformative, equipping me to contribute more meaningfully to my work and community. I am immensely grateful for the support and the valuable instruction provided by Google.

Dennis Musembi Kisuvilu
ACHIEVEMENTS IN CYBERSECURITY

Dennis Musembi KISIVULI | student

I am Dennis Musembi Kisuvilu. I am a first-year student pursuing a BSc in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics. I was privileged to get a fully funded Foundations of Cybersecurity Scholarship. This three (3) month program has significantly enhanced my understanding and skills in cybersecurity. As a student, the Scholarship has empowered me to contribute effectively to cybersecurity initiatives, enhancing my academic journey and future career prospects. The training has equipped me to address real-world cybersecurity challenges, benefiting myself and the broader community by promoting a safer digital environment.

Philip Musi
ACHIEVEMENTS IN EDUCATION

Philip MUSI | staff

I am Philip Musi, a Lecturer at the Open University of Kenya. I enrolled and completed the following courses: Foundations of Project Management; Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age; Philosophy, Science and Religion: Philosophy and Religion. It took me three (3) months to complete the programs. The courses improved and enhanced my knowledge and skills in the areas of learning. This will assist in my career and my institution since it has greatly boosted my area of engagement with students: Philosophy & Critical Thinking.

Catherine Kyalo
ACHIEVEMENTS IN BUSINESS

Catherine KYALO | student

I am Catherine Kyalo, pursuing a Bachelor of Business and Entrepreneurship degree. I enrolled and completed the Digital Marketing course. As a business person, this was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I have ever made. I experienced a profound transformation both personally and professionally. The course equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the digital landscape. This knowledge not only broadened my horizons but also empowered me to navigate the ever-evolving digital sphere with confidence and ultimately lead to practical application of the skills in my business.

Seith Mireri
ACHIEVEMENTS IN CYBERSECURITY

Seith MIRERI | student

I am Seith Mireri; a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics degree. I enrolled for the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate which I successfully completed in three (3) months. The expertise I acquired through this Scholarship has had a profound impact on me, not only broadening my understanding of cybersecurity but also laying a strong foundation on my career journey.

About

The Open University of Kenya (OUK) is a virtual learning institution deeply committed to advancing education and driving socio-economic growth within Kenya and beyond. Access to higher education has remained a major challenge in Kenya and this has disadvantaged citizens who seek to improve their knowledge, upscale skills and for posterity. Experts have noted that increasing the number of educational institutions so as to match the rate of population growth is an extremely difficult if not impossible solution especially when financial and other resource constraints are considered. Open and Distance Learning approaches, coupled with innovative ICT solutions, have proofed viable alternatives to providing excellent education to millions of people located wherever and whenever by different life circumstances.