OUK Hosts University of Southern Denmark Delegation to Advance Collaboration in Drone Technology, Robotics and AI under CO-KENDAI Initiative
The Open University of Kenya (OUK) hosted a delegation from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) for a courtesy call to explore OUK’s participation in a consortium-based collaboration under the Co-Designing Kenyan-Danish AI and Robotics for Sustainability and Impact (CO-KENDAI) initiative.
The engagement focused on possible collaboration in drone technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital learning, innovation, and postgraduate training. The discussions positioned OUK as a strategic partner in an emerging Kenyan-Danish consortium aimed at strengthening education, innovation, and applied technology for sustainable development.
The visiting delegation comprised Yvonne Brändle-Amolo, elected member of the Swiss parliament, and 4APioneer, an organization dedicated to supporting sustainable partnerships between the Global South and the Global North, Prof. Ulrik Pagh Schultz, WildDrone Coordinator, and Head of SDU’s Drone Center, Prof. Kathrin Maurer, Prof. Eva Christensen, Prof. Mette Praest Knudsen and Prof. Morten Birkved.
The OUK team was chaired by the VC, Prof. Elijah Omwenga. Other members present included Prof. Christopher Chepken, DVC (P&I); CPA David Kimaiyo, CFO; Dr. Nickcy Mbuthia, Acting Chair, Agritechnology and Sustainability and Ms Charity Muriuki Senior Finance Administrator. Representatives from Kenyatta University, including Dr. Tom Ratemo, Deputy Executive Dean, School of Law and Social Sciences and Eng. Isaac Maina, Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, also participated in the engagement.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elijah Omwenga, welcomed the delegation and affirmed OUK’s readiness to participate in high-impact partnerships that advance digital transformation, interdisciplinary innovation and sustainable development. He noted that OUK’s digital-first model provides a strong foundation for collaborative teaching, flexible postgraduate training, research translation, and capacity building in emerging fields such as AI, robotics and drone technology.
The CO-KENDAI initiative seeks to build a sustainable education and innovation ecosystem that brings together Kenyan and Danish institutions to co-design context-responsive solutions in AI, robotics and drone technologies. The initiative is linked to broader efforts to apply emerging technologies to sustainability challenges, including biodiversity conservation, environmental monitoring, agriculture, climate resilience, health, community development and other priority sectors.
Through the proposed consortium approach, OUK is expected to collaborate with other Kenyan, Danish and international partners in developing academic, research and innovation activities that are locally relevant and globally connected. The consortium model will provide a platform for shared expertise, curriculum co-design, staff and student engagement, applied innovation, knowledge exchange, and the development of joint academic programs.
Discussions also explored the possibility of a joint master’s program that would bring together expertise in drone technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and digital education. Such a program would align with OUK’s mandate to expand access to quality higher education through open, distance, and technology-enabled learning, while contributing to Kenya’s capacity to participate meaningfully in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. OUK’s potential role in the consortium is especially significant given the University’s strength in flexible learning, digital pedagogy, online program delivery, curriculum innovation, and national reach. These strengths position OUK to support scalable training models, professional development, micro-credentials, postgraduate pathways and lifelong learning opportunities in emerging technology fields.
The visit further underscored the importance of university partnerships in addressing shared global challenges through co-creation, mutual learning, and innovation. By working with SDU and other consortium partners, OUK aims to contribute to a collaborative ecosystem that supports responsible technology development, sustainable innovation and practical solutions for Kenya, East Africa and beyond.
The courtesy call concluded with a shared commitment to continue institutional discussions and identify concrete areas through which OUK can participate in the CO-KENDAI consortium. Priority areas include the development of a joint master’s program, collaborative curriculum design, staff and student mobility, capacity building, innovation activities, and the application of drone technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence to sustainability challenges.