Building on the massive momentum of its recent campus initiatives, Samsung Electronics East Africa officially hosted a landmark digital media and AI technology masterclass at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) designed to equip the next generation of creators with future-ready skills. The masterclass drew a remarkable crowd of 180 students in total.
Driven by a shared belief in the boundless potential of Kenya’s youth, Samsung Electronics East Africa opened the doors to the new Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) last year November. Formalized through a strategic partnership, this global flagship program focuses deeply on transforming the lives of local students by unlocking fresh career paths in the rapidly growing digital economy.
The students included the first cohort class of 80 ambitious young men and women who are stepping into a life-changing three-month learning journey through the Samsung Innovation Campus. With the objective of preparing them for the realities of the AI revolution, the cohort is split into two specialized programs. 40 students will immerse themselves in Artificial Intelligence (AI), while another 40 will master Advanced Coding and Programming. Rather than just receiving a basic certificate, these students will walk away with a formal diploma from JKUAT, setting a solid foundation for their future livelihoods.
“Behind every great piece of code or AI solution is a young person looking for a chance to prove what they can do,” said Dr. Lawrence Nderu, JKUAT Head of School of Computing & JHUB. “This partnership with Samsung is incredibly special to us because it sees our students as individuals with distinct dreams. By blending our academic guidance with hands-on industry support through JHUB Africa, we are giving these 80 bright minds a real, practical stepping stone into the world, ensuring they graduate ready to make a tangible difference.”
We also had an additional 70 ambitious students, who were successful part of our on-campus recruitment drive earlier in the term who eagerly joined the session to gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The absolute centerpiece of the day was an immersive masterclass panel discussion that brought together a powerful trio of industry visionaries to unpack the intersection of technology, product innovation, and creative arts. Photography and content creation thought leader Edwin Waweru provided invaluable technical expertise on visual storytelling, lighting mechanics, and mastering the lens. Grounding the conversation in user-centric technology, Samsung Electronics East Africa Product Manager, Ryan Mule steered the panel by breaking down how emerging product innovations and software tools are being intentionally designed to empower modern creators to bring their visions to life more efficiently.
The masterclass gained profound real-world validation through a series of inspiring guest testimonials from those who have successfully navigated the digital ecosystem. Attendees heard from Wololotv, a premier A-list content influencer, who delivered a firsthand account of what it truly takes to build a sustainable personal brand, scale an audience, and consistently produce high-impact digital media in today’s saturated market.
Adding a powerful full-circle moment to the event, a representative from global tech giant Samsung took the stage. As a proud alumnus of the curriculum, the Samsung representative shared how the foundational skills taught in this very program directly paved the way for a successful corporate career at a world-class tech company, leaving the 110 students inspired by the tangible career pathways ahead of them.
“Standing here takes me back to exactly where these students are sitting. Being an alumnus of Samsung Innovation Campus formerly known as Samsung Academy didn’t just give me technical skills, it completely shifted my perspective. Transitioning from a similar classroom into a corporate role at Samsung has been a profound full-circle journey. My message to the 110 students here is simple, the tools and mentorship you are receiving today are a world-class launchpad. Seize this opportunity, because it has the power to define your career.” Said Josephat Ochiel, Regional Service Manager at Samsung Electronics East Africa.
By fostering digital literacy and financial independence, Samsung Electronics East Africa and JKUAT are actively nurturing the next generation of innovators who will shape Kenya’s economic and tech landscape.
