The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Germany are collaborating on a joint summer school dubbed “NICE Lab 50/50 Workshop” which was opened today by TU-K Vice-Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua at the university’s main campus. In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Institutional Advancement and Enterprises (IAE), Prof. Paul Wambua, the VC stated that the event marked a significant step forward in fostering innovation and creativity within the academic community. “Design is not merely about creating beautiful objects for spaces; it is a fundamental process that drives innovation, solves problems, and enhances our everyday lives,” he said.
He went further to explain that the workshop promotes creativity and excellence in education by giving a platform for educators, researchers, practitioners and students to come together to exchange ideas, share knowledge and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Prof. Mutua challenged participants to leverage on the workshop to deepen their understanding of design. This, he noted, will enable them to become innovators who will passionately make a difference in the world. He said, “We gather here today to celebrate the transformative power of design in shaping our world. I encourage you all to actively engage, collaborate, and challenge yourselves and envision a future where design plays a central role in addressing the complex challenges of our time.”
DVC Prof. Wambua thanked the organisers and sponsors for hosting the event at TU-K. He emphasised that their dedication, time and hard work made the event possible and fruitful.
The DVC was excited to learn aspects of design and was impressed with the partnership, collaboration and community engagement that brought about the event.
Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology (FSST) Ag. Executive Dean Prof. Naomi Mwai and Academic Team Leader (ATL) Department of Design, Dr. Mary Clare Kidenda were in attendance.
Ms. Flurina Rothenberger, co-founder and Project Manager NICE Labs, Switzerland provided an overview of the project.
Other guests in attendance included Prof. Ulrike Brückner and Claudia Mai from the Faculty of Design, FH Dortmund, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany, Rahel Arnold, NICE Labs, Switzerland, Dr. Avitha Sooful from the University of Pretoria, South Africa and Chairperson Exploring Visual Cultures Expert Panel, Stanley Muriuki from Megasmart CS, Viwandani Nairobi among others.
About NICE lab 50/50
NICE lab 50/50 is a project that combines international professional education and cultural networking, with a focus on innovative and accessible digital design tools and techniques. The initiative is targeted at both young, self-educated creatives from the informal settlement Viwandani in Nairobi and students from the Technical University of Kenya, the University of Pretoria in South Africa and FH Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Germany.
TU-K hosted a warm-up workshop in June of last year, to prepare for the NICE lab 50/50 workshop.
The facilitators are professionals from Kenya, South Africa, Germany and Switzerland. The project is defined by intensive engagement with creative production, critical reflection, and individual presentation, which takes place in constant dialogue with the group and the mentors.
The workshop will be implemented as a three-week hands-on learning and exhibition from July 15th to August 4th, 2024, culminating in the NICE pop-up shop at Cheche Bookshop in Lavington on Sunday, 4th of August, 2024.
The event is sponsored by the WILO-Foundation among others.
