Research Ideas and Outcomes :
Workshop Report
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Corresponding author: Ciira wa Maina (ciira.maina@dkut.ac.ke)
Received: 08 Oct 2024 | Published: 16 Oct 2024
© 2024 Lorna Mugambi, Gabriel Kiarie, Jason Kabi, Ciira wa Maina, Suvodeep Mazumdar
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Mugambi L, Kiarie G, Kabi J, wa Maina C, Mazumdar S (2024) The DSAIL-GeJuSTA Data Science Education Workshop: Designing a Data Science Curriculum for the African Continent. Research Ideas and Outcomes 10: e138833. https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.10.e138833
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The DSAIL-GeJuSTA Data Science Education Workshop was a joint initiative by the Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAIL) and Gender Justice in STEM Research in Africa (GeJUSTA). GeJUSTA is a programme funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) that is working towards increasing the representation of women in STEM. The workshop was held on 9 November 2023, during the 7th DeKUT International Conference on Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (STI&E) at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT). The conference ran from 8-10 November 2023. The event successfully convened 31 participants. The composition of the attendees was diverse, ranging from data-science educators, industry participants using data science, researchers who use data science and students in a myriad of courses, including engineering and pharmacy. The primary focus of the workshop was to have a discussion with the attendees and share practices around designing data-science curriculum, strategies for achieving gender equity in data-science education, addressing new technological challenges in education and fostering multidisciplinary approaches to data-science education. This report encapsulates the collective vision of the workshop participants, whose contributions have set the stage for progressive strides in data-science education.
curriculum, data science, education, gender
This workshop was conducted on 9 November 2023, at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri, Kenya.
Data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning are emerging technologies that have been responsible for several important technological advances. The pace at which these fields are changing has made it difficult for traditional approaches to teaching, such as university programmes, to keep up. There are important questions about how these subjects should be taught and to whom they should be addressed.
In Africa and beyond, the potential of data science and AI is immense and it is important to make these skills accessible to a critical mass of practitioners. Universities need to play their role to ensure adequate human resource development. Despite the increasing interest in data science and AI, considerable challenges such as fairness, accountability, ethics and explainability lie ahead. Future data scientists will not only need technical knowledge, but also a deeper, more critical appreciation of these challenges and how they can potentially address or perpetuate inequities in societies. In data-science education, therefore, it is critical to share existing practices and learn from practitioners how data-science curricula are embedding technical as well as social perspectives.
The under-representation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a persistent issue. Studies have shown that women account for less than a third of those employed in scientific research and development (
Globally, challenges that have led to the under-representation of the female gender in STEM can be classified under several key titles. The main one is the negative impact of gendered social norms on young women (
Lack of female mentorship in STEM from a young age is also another critical title. When young children (girls and boys) are growing up and they are at their low but critical levels of education, most of their role models are people close to them, for example, their parents or teachers (
Another critical issue related to the lack of mentorship in STEM is the poor championing for STEM careers amongst women (
Lack of adequate career counselling is another hinderance. There is inadequate career counselling at the upper primary and secondary school levels in many developing countries (
After highlighting the challenges, we point out the policies that have been introduced to address gender inequality in STEM. One of the policies is the introduction of programmes dedicated to getting women into STEM careers at the university level and also to get young women in the primary and high school level acquainted with what STEM is all about (
In Kenya, there are programmes that have been rolled out to champion STEM, but are not gender-specific. Some of the programmes are the School Laptop Program, which did not take off due to the poor roll-out plan that was made worse by the overwhelming infrastructural and financial challenges (
Another policy closely related to the launch of programmes is the establishment of organisations (which might be a result of the programmes) whose mode of operation is based solely on helping women excel in STEM by providing resources and career advice. One of the most important resources for getting women into STEM is financial aid, which includes scholarships and grant opportunities (
This concern about gender differences and the inclusion of effective curriculum design as a solution to the problem is a topic of significant discussion in the study of educational systems. Previous research indicates that the conventional curriculum promotes gender stereotyping and bias by granting limited chances and representation for females in STEM (
Within the broader landscape of efforts to promote gender inclusivity in STEM, curriculum design emerges as a critical lever for change. In the present work, the influence of curriculum development on gender parity in STEM fields has been investigated in several works. Studies show that the use of multiple role models, realism, real-life accounts and practical approaches can be used to improve female student interest and performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics lessons. Additionally, the cultivation of a growth mindset and opportunities for mentorship have been seen to help increase the self-confidence and interest of girl students in STEM careers. As well, some research also points to limitations, including a lack of support from teachers and a lack of adequate support, training and professional development that teachers may need in order to effectively incorporate gender-sensitive curricula into classrooms (
To enhance future curriculum development in STEM education, the following guidelines are suggested by the researchers for pursuing gender inclusiveness (
Overall, the research on purposefully implementing gendered curricula in STEM reveals the importance of purposeful and informed implementations. Although considerable advances have been made in the efforts aimed at understanding best practices in teaching and promotion of gender equity, much remains to be done in terms of continued research and collaboration amongst educators, policy-makers and researchers to ensure that students of both genders have equal chances in STEM courses and professions.
Bridging the gender gap is imperative for creating an inclusive data-science education curriculum and ensuring that the curriculum reflects both technical and social considerations. By sharing best practices and learning from experienced practitioners, we can develop data-science curricula that not only impart essential skills, but also advance gender equality and social justice (
Babirye et al. (
Despite the significant challenges highlighted, including the under-representation of women in STEM due to gendered social norms, lack of awareness, insufficient mentorship, inadequate career counselling and the mixed success of various STEM programmes in Kenya, there are substantial opportunities to address these issues through targeted educational initiatives. Various policies and programmes have been introduced globally and locally to bridge the gender gap in STEM, such as conferences, hackathons, mentorship programmes and financial aid opportunities aimed at inspiring and supporting young women. Additionally, the importance of curriculum design in promoting gender inclusivity cannot be overstated. A gender-sensitive curriculum that offers equal opportunities, promotes mutual respect and integrates real-life accounts and practical approaches can significantly enhance female students’ interest and performance in STEM.
In response to these challenges and opportunities, the DSAIL-GeJuSTA Data Science Education Workshop was convened. These collaborative efforts are crucial in developing a data-science curriculum that is not only globally competitive, but also tailored to the unique needs of the African continent.
The workshop brought together academics from various disciplines related to data science and industry representatives to discuss issues related to the data-science curriculum. In particular, we sought to discuss:
The workshop started with introductory remarks from Prof. Ciira wa Maina, the Director of the Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAIL) and also an Associate Professor at DeKUT in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He made some opening remarks, invited all speakers and attendees and provided an outline of the goals we were hoping to achieve at the end of the workshop. Prof. Maina also started our presentations by introducing GeJuSTA, DSAIL and Data Science Africa (DSA), a grassroots capacity building organisation that conducts yearly summer schools and workshops aimed at teaching the fundamentals of data science, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and promoting the application of these technologies to real-world applications in Africa.
Next, we had members of DSAIL, Gabriel Kiarie and Lorna Mugambi, talk to the participants about preliminary results from a study the lab conducted on gender representation analysis in STEM in African universities (Fig.
During the 'DSAIL Tech4Wildife workshop', 14 male students and 13 female students participated on day one, while 15 male students and seven female students participated on day two. Women’s interest and participation in the workshop tutorials were lower than men’s. However, it is noteworthy that the women who did express interest in attending the workshop were committed. They not only showed up, but also actively participated in both the theoretical and practical sessions. Gender distribution varied across different schools and courses. For example, on both days of the workshop, only female students from the Institute of Geomatics, GIS and Remote Sensing participated. The highest participation was from the School of Engineering with 24 students and the School of Computer Science and IT with 13 students (Fig.
The next presentation was from Dr. Lawrence Nderu, a lecturer and research fellow at the Department of Computing at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is also an instructor at the JENGA School of Data Science and AI in Kenya. His presentation, “Navigating the Landscape of Data Science Education in Kenyan Universities: Addressing Emerging Technological Challenges and Industry Relevance”, underscored that the incorporation of data-science programmes into Kenya's higher education is a recent development (Fig.
Mr. John Matogo, IBM's CSR leader for Africa and the Middle East, made a presentation entitled "The Contribution of Industry to the Data Science Curriculum". He provided participants with an in-depth overview of IBM SkillsBuild, a free digital learning programme that assists people in developing skills and gaining access to career opportunities in AI, data analytics, software engineering, cloud computing and soft skills (Fig.
Following a brief interlude, the session gathered momentum once again. The attendees directed their attention to Dr. Moses Thiga, who brought his expertise as a senior lecturer in information technology from Kabarak University to the discussion. His perspective was particularly interesting given that they have been working on developing a data-science curriculum at their university. He reflected on the process of developing the curriculum, obtaining approval and dealing with the challenges that came with it. We also heard from Dr. Victoria Njoroge, a lecturer at the University of Embu. Her department is also looking into developing a data-science curriculum and she discussed their thought-process in doing so (Fig.
Following the presentations, there was a plenary session in which all attendees were invited to reflect on the day's main topic, a data-science curriculum for Africa. The following issues were specifically addressed:
Ideal content to meet industry and research needs;
Rigour and relevance;
Gender representation amongst students and faculty.
The workshop participants from a variety of stakeholders also contributed to a jamboard, where they provided feedback on some of the questions posed. Participants' input, recorded on sticky notes, provided valuable perspectives on the roles of various entities and the design of an effective data-science curriculum. The following summarises the discussions of the participants:
Stakeholder Roles: In developing a data-science curriculum, it is important to develop a shared understanding of who the primary stakeholders are and what their roles entail:
Students are expected to actively participate in and provide feedback on their learning experiences because they are recognised as the primary beneficiaries of the educational process.
Teachers are in charge of developing and delivering a curriculum that meets the changing needs of students (and markets).
Industry experts are called upon to provide real-world experience to students through internships and mentorship, enriching their academic journey.
Higher education institutions are responsible for providing the necessary educational tools and research opportunities to foster the discipline of data science.
Government agencies must provide appropriate funding and policy to support educational and research activities in data science.
Considerations for the curriculum: The workshop participants highlighted several key considerations for developing an effective curriculum:
Educational Objectives: The participants discussed the range of skills that are necessary for the students to develop through the data-science curriculum:
Curriculum Framework: The participants also discussed the range of skills necessary for the students to develop through the data-science curriculum:
Following a lunch break, Dr. Winfred Mutuku, a mathematics and actuarial science senior lecturer at Kenyatta University, led a round table discussion on structural barriers faced by women in STEM (Fig.
Building on the foundation established in previous discussions, the focus shifted to addressing the challenges women face in STEM education. The next round-table session aimed to explore potential solutions. This session was moderated by three distinguished academics: Dr. Edna Too of Chuka University, Dr. Edward Ombui of Africa Nazarene University and Dr. Irene Nandutu of the University of Cape Town. The moderators aided the discussion on how educators and instructors can attract and retain women in STEM. Some of the points raised included:
Drawing from the discussions and talks throughout the day, the workshop emphasised the collaborative effort and commitment needed to create a robust data-science curriculum that meets the diverse needs of its stakeholders. The curriculum must be dynamic, integrating both theoretical foundations and practical applications to equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the data-driven industry. Industry partnerships are essential to ensure the curriculum remains relevant and aligned with evolving job market demands. The role of government in policy-making and incentives is critical to creating an environment conducive to learning and innovation. The ultimate goal is to develop a workforce capable of data analysis, model building and the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to address future challenges. It is also crucial to acknowledge the need for gender equity in data-science education, ensuring that the curriculum supports the representation and success of women in the field. While the workshop effectively covered a range of educational objectives for the data-science curriculum, it did not delve into critical skills like ethics and fairness. These are vital components of a comprehensive data-science education and should be included in future discussions to ensure that students are well-equipped to handle the ethical challenges of the field. This workshop has laid the groundwork for a comprehensive approach to data-science education, one that promises to drive progress and inspire the next generation of data scientists in an inclusive way.
The diverse group of individuals who participated in the DSAIL-GeJuSTA Data Science Education Workshop (Fig.
First Name | Last Name | Affiliation |
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Austin | Kaburia | Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology |
Cedric | Kiplimo | Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology |
Celina | Mfala | Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology |
Ciira | Maina | Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology |
Clinton | Oduor | Amini Technologies |
David | Mwathi | Chuka University |
Edna | Too | Chuka University |
Edward | Ombui | Africa Nazarene University |
Gabriel | Kiaire | Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology |
Buinda | Ginhen | University of Buea |
Irene | Nandutu | University of Capetown |
Jason | Kabi | Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology |
John | Matogo | IBM |
Lawrence | Nderu | Jomo Kenya University of Technology |
Leonard | Mutembei | University of Johannesburg |
Lorna | Mugambi | Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology |
Moses | Thiga | Kabarak University |
Peter | Murage | South Eastern Kenya University |
Saul | Namango | Moi University |
Valentine | Mwangi | Afterwork |
Victoria | Mukami | Embu University |
Victoria | Sitati | Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology |
Winfred | Mutuku | Kenyatta University |
We would like to thank all of the workshop speakers and participants, both in person and online, for devoting their time and providing valuable insights into this discussion. This workshop would not have been possible without the support of DSAIL, GeJuSTA, DeKUT and DSA.
This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada.
Disclaimer: “The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors”.
This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada.
Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.
This workshop was conducted after gaining ethical approval from the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Scientific Ethics Review Committee (DeKUTSERC) (Approval Number: DeKUT/ISREC/03422/002) and a licence from NACOSTI (License Number: NACOSTI/P/23/27184).