By Dorothy Musyoka
Kenyatta University (KU) has taken a major step toward strengthening its position as a regional hub for digital innovation and skills development by hosting a high-level executive delegation from Canva Africa.
The engagement explored opportunities for a strategic partnership aimed at transforming digital learning and enhancing student employability.
The discussions explored the potential for Kenyatta University to become the first institutional adopter of Canva at scale in Kenya.
The proposed partnership promises several transformative benefits for the KU community:
- Premium Access: Unlocking advanced tools for students and staff.
- Employability & Entrepreneurship: Equipping students with the design and digital skills required by modern employers.
- Brand Governance: Strengthening the University’s visual identity through unified templates and controls.
- Campus Activation: Engaging the student body through “Canvassador” pathways and creator programs.
The meeting, chaired by Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Okumu, brought together KU’s senior leadership and the Canva Africa team led by Ms. Bianca Sibiya, Africa Lead for Canva (South Africa).
The discussions focused on leveraging Canva’s digital design platform to support teaching, research, and student-led innovation across the university.
Prof. Okumu emphasized the University’s commitment to equipping students with future-ready digital skills, noting that partnerships with global technology leaders are essential in preparing graduates for the evolving digital economy.
He highlighted KU’s ongoing digital transformation agenda, which prioritizes technology-driven learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Ms. Sibiya reaffirmed Canva Africa’s commitment to supporting African institutions in building digital capacity, creative skills and employability pathways for students. She noted that the partnership could open opportunities for curriculum integration, training programs, and collaborative innovation initiatives.
The proposed collaboration is expected to expand access to digital tools, empower students and staff with creative and technical skills and strengthen KU’s role in nurturing a digitally skilled workforce for Kenya and the wider region.
Kenyatta University continues to pursue strategic partnerships that align with its vision of becoming a leading institution in research, innovation, and technology-driven education.