27 March - 2 April CAMPUS This Week Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, USIU-Africa’s Vice launches new book

Last Thursday, the Vice Chancellor imagine new ways to think about the has been revitalizing for the Council. It launched his newest collection of essays continent, and what could be done to also represents our stronger reemergence published in a book titled Africa and the secure its future. of CODESRIA as a publisher of note,” he Disruptions of the Twenty-first Century. added. The book was launched with the Council In his welcome speech, CODESRIA’S for the Development of Social Science Executive Secretary, Dr. Godwin The book was widely praised for being a Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in Murunga, noted that the publication of the critical and intellectual review of the conjunction with USIU-Africa. Vice Chancellor’s book by CODESRIA struggle by Africa to redefine itself and was a major milestone for the Council. reclaim the 21st Century, in addition to The collection of essays interrogates the offering an explicit account of the repositioning of Africa and its Diasporas “We are honoured to host Prof. Zeleza for struggles has faced before, and how in the unfolding disruptive this launch, because he has been a child these could be overcome as Africa sets transformations of the early twenty-first of CODESRIA in every sense of the word. out on the journey of reclaiming the 21st century. It is divided into five parts He has had the honour of publishing two- Century. focusing on America’s racial single authored books under CODESRIA, dysfunctions, navigating global A Modern Economic History of Africa In his review, the Vice Chancellor of the turbulence, Africa’s political dramas, the (1993) and Manufacturing African Studies University of Pretoria, South Africa, Prof. continent’s persistent mythologisation and Crises (1997), both of which were the Tawana Kupe, noted that the book was and disruptions in higher education. The recipients of Africa’s most prestigious an insightful analysis on how the world, book explores the overlapping crises that book , the Noma for and the continent could begin to affect the continent and how these Publishing in Africa,” he said. reimagine itself. issues have an effect on the global sphere. The book challenges readers to “Prof. Zeleza’s book and its publication “Prof. Zeleza’s book is not only

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA NEWSLETTER 27 March - 2 April intellectually robust, but is also engaging, rooted in 400 years of American Racial on some of the key historical issues that in addition to being historically grounded Dysfunctions, the Diaspora’s long-term had intrigued and engaged him as a and critically illuminating. The book sheds efforts for sustainable development, the historical scholar, adding that the book a light on and explains the myriad of decolonization of African knowledge , had been authored during the COVID-19 challenges that Africa has faced that have among others, noting that the selection of pandemic, which exposed the underlying global resonance and interconnections. topics in the book was a reflection of Prof. structural dysfunctions both on the Prof. Zeleza urges each one of us to Zeleza’s broad views on various topics. continent and in the world. rethink Africa, and the world at large, in ways that ground the sustainability of “By writing this book, Prof. Zeleza has set “The book tries to make sense of the humanity and nature,” he said. a good example of what a University disruptions that Africa has faced in the professor should care about. To ensure a 21st Century, of which COVID-19 is a This sentiment was echoed by the better future for the continent, as well as symptom of. The book also has discourse President of the Chinese Society of of mankind, it is important for us to on the temporal difference of both my African Historical Studies, Prof. LI remember our responsibility at all times,” time in America, where I lived for 20 Anshan, who pointed out that the book he noted. years, and Africa, where I came back to was a rich collection of insights on start a new appointment in 2016,” he several important fields, including On his end, the Vice Chancellor noted said. contemporary crisis of Afro-Americans that the book was a personal meditation

The book can be purchased here:

For buyers outside Africa: For buyers in Africa The book is available on the African book collectives To receive a paperback version of the book, send your site at 40USD for the Paperback and 35USD for the soft to [email protected] , alongside your postal copy. details. The book costs 35 USD inclusive of shipping The site can be accessed on this link: costs. https://www.africanbookscollective.com/books/africa- Payments can be done via PayPal on this link: and-the-disruptions-of-the-twenty-first-century http://www.codesria.org/spip.php?article3024&lang=en

University of Eastern Africa Baraton visits USIU-Africa for a benchmarking exercise

By John Kabuu

Recently, the University of Eastern Africa noting that the benchmarking session Director of Graduate Studies and Baraton (UEAB) visited USIU-Africa for a was a critical exercise to both Baraton Research, thanked USIU-Africa for the benchmarking session. The team from and USIU-Africa due to the fact that it University’s willingness to share its Baraton was interested in learning more would enable the making of critical expertise and information on the areas of about Quality Assurance, the Schools, decisions that would drive innovation interest that were presented during the Chandaria School of Business, and its and change within the campuses. session. programs, up to the Doctoral level, Graduate Studies, Research, Innovation “Benchmarking will provide both our “The benchmarking session with and Income- generating activities, institutions with the data and insights USIU-Africa was indeed exciting, and left USIU-Africa Online and Online needed to make more data- driven us enriched with many key insights that programs, the University’s ICT decisions. The end result for these we look forward to applying. We infrastructure and the Management benchmarking sessions will not only be commend USIU-Africa for its efforts in Information System. enhanced student success, but also providing quality services in the improved efficiency in the university education of our future generations,” he UEAB was represented by Dr. Moses setting,” he said. added. Mpiima Kibirango, Director of Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Jackson Presentations were made by USIU-Africa Oyaro Ongeta, Dean School of Business, representatives on each of the key areas Dr. Meshack K. Misoi, Director of Online of interest, with the presentations Learning and Distance Education, and followed by a discussion session Prof. Yona Balayage, Director of Quality afterwards. Both teams identified areas Assurance. of similarity among the two universities and areas of improvement to make the Speaking during the session, Dr. Peter education experience of our students, Kigwilu, Curriculum Developer and staff and faculty more vibrant. Accreditation Liaison Officer welcomed Dr. Moses Mpiima Kibirango, the the team from Baraton to the session, University of Eastern Africa Baraton’s

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA NEWSLETTER 27 March - 2 April April 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Maureen Otieno classrooms, social media platforms, or #Yourvoicehaspower otherwise — are respectful and safe. #EndSexualHarassment. This year, USIU-Africa will be observing the Sexual Assault Awareness Month The Gender Equity and Protection USIU-Africa has a sexual harassment (#SAAM) throughout the month of April. Office will commemorate it by policy, in which it defines sexual Sexual Assault Awareness Month educating the community on sexual harassment as the persistent advocates for both awareness and violence in campus settings and how to unwelcome, sexual advances, requests prevention of sexual assault, file a sexual harassment complaint. On for sexual favor and other verbal, visual harassment, and abuse which can Thursday, April 8, 2021, we invite or physical conduct of sexual nature. It happen anywhere, including in online USIU-Africa community for the can also take the form of a person being spaces. As we connect online, we can USIU-Africa Teal Awareness is a position of authority, holding a learn how to practice digital consent, Campaign against Sexual Assault. The public office or not, persistently making intervene when we see harmful content call to action invites students, staff and any sexual advances or requests which or behaviors, and ensure that online faculty to wear a Teal ribbon or a touch he or she knows, or ought to have spaces — whether they be workspaces, of this in their outfits. known are unwelcome.

How to file a sexual harassment complaint at USIU-Africa. If you feel that you are a victim of sexual harassment, it is essential that you notify the Gender Equity and Protection office immediately through [email protected]. The following steps can help ensure that a complaint is properly filed: Write down the details of the incident including the date, time and location using the complaints form available on www.usiu.ac.ke or through [email protected]. Keep evidence of the harassment, especially if the harassment occurs through text messages and emails Report the incident to GEP office, Human Resource department and your supervisor. Ask that the harassment report be documented in your employee or student file.

For further information, please visit; The Gender Equity and Protection Office Administration Block 1st Floor Or Email: [email protected] I [email protected]

School of Science and Technology hosts guest speaker session for APT3020 class By Dr. Adejoke Emmanuel The APT3020 class on Knowledge Management and Machine Learning, recently hosted a guest speaker, Professor Adedapo Ojo, a communication and signal processing professor of Electronics and Electrical engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho, Nigeria. Prof. Ojo spoke to the class on Machine Learning from Theory to Practical, Creating Solutions with Limited Resources.

Machine learning is the study around how computers can perform tasks without being programmed to do so. It involves computers learning from data provided so that they carry out certain tasks. For simple tasks, one may program algorithms telling the machine how to execute all steps required to solve the problem at hand; meaning that no learning is required on the computer’s part. For advanced tasks, it can be challenging to manually create the needed algorithms. In practice, it is more effective to help the machine develop its own algorithm, rather than having programmers specify every needed step.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA NEWSLETTER

tools and digital applications for data collection and In his session, Prof. Ojo noted that Machine Learning and management, which is critical to business processes, the Artificial Intelligence were making deeper inroads into emergence of Machine Learning has made knowledge knowledge management in the industrial sector today. discovery clearer, more precise and practical. With the “Knowledge management is taking new strides, and increase in the volume of critical data, Machine Learning is machine learning is a significant enhancer of this news shift a ready tool,” he added. in knowledge management. Due to the potential of machine learning and Artificial intelligence to analyze and process The knowledge management process can be better and big data, they have emerged to bring about digital precise with tracking metrics. This is a capability offered by transformation in the various methods and practice of machine learning. It gives deeper details of performance knowledge management in multiple establishments,” he factors and other details essential for the digital knowledge said. management environment. With the provision of the newest and most innovative use cases, Artificial intelligence and “Machine learning is capable of simplifying knowledge Machine Learning are innovative to the knowledge discovery. Though Artificial Intelligence has made available management paradigm shift. The APT3020 class on Knowledge Management and Machine Learning, recently hosted a guest speaker, Professor Adedapo Ojo, a communication and signal processing professor of Electronics and Electrical engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho, Nigeria. Prof. Ojo spoke to the class on Machine Learning from Theory to Practical, Creating Solutions with Limited Resources.

Machine learning is the study around how computers can perform tasks without being programmed to do so. It involves computers learning from data provided so that they carry out certain tasks. For simple tasks, one may program algorithms telling the machine how to execute all steps required to solve the problem at hand; meaning that no learning is required on the computer’s part. For advanced tasks, it can be challenging to manually create the needed algorithms. In practice, it is more effective to help the machine develop its own algorithm, rather than having programmers specify every needed step.

27 March - 2 April

tools and digital applications for data collection and In his session, Prof. Ojo noted that Machine Learning and management, which is critical to business processes, the Artificial Intelligence were making deeper inroads into emergence of Machine Learning has made knowledge knowledge management in the industrial sector today. discovery clearer, more precise and practical. With the “Knowledge management is taking new strides, and increase in the volume of critical data, Machine Learning is machine learning is a significant enhancer of this news shift a ready tool,” he added. in knowledge management. Due to the potential of machine learning and Artificial intelligence to analyze and process The knowledge management process can be better and big data, they have emerged to bring about digital precise with tracking metrics. This is a capability offered by transformation in the various methods and practice of machine learning. It gives deeper details of performance knowledge management in multiple establishments,” he factors and other details essential for the digital knowledge said. management environment. With the provision of the newest and most innovative use cases, Artificial intelligence and “Machine learning is capable of simplifying knowledge Machine Learning are innovative to the knowledge discovery. Though Artificial Intelligence has made available management paradigm shift.

Upcoming Events

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM) - April 2021

• USIU-Africa Teal Awareness Ribbon Campaign against Sexual Assault- Thursday, April 8, 2021.

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA NEWSLETTER