The spotlight is on Florence Kimani, Riara University, Kenya.

Riara University (RU) in Nairobi was founded in 2012 as a Kenyan private institution of higher learning. It is a member of the Riara Group, which provides schooling at kindergarten, primary, secondary and university levels, an education continuum likened to the ‘ever-flowing Riara River’.

RU prepares students for careers in Computer Science, Law, Business, Communication and Multimedia Journalism, Education, and International Relations. The university is setting up a new campus at the Konza Technopolis, a smart city dubbed the Silicon Savannah. It is being developed by the Government of Kenya as an innovation ecosystem as part of the country’s Vision 2030 development blueprint.

The School of Computing Sciences (SCS) at RU offers bachelors degrees and diplomas in Computer Science, Information Systems, Robotics, Embedded Systems, Business Intelligence, and Cyber Security. It houses the university’s Innovation Center, nurturing the creative and technical aspects of computing, games, animation, web and multimedia. The school’s goal is to be at the forefront of information and communication technology (ICT) innovation in Kenya and beyond. In the words of the Dean, Prof. Felix Musau, “Computing is not about computers anymore, it is about living.” The Bachelor of Science (BSC) in Computer Science program is guided by a belief that graduating individuals in computer science ‘will not only make them contribute to their own individual success but also enrich and transform the lives of others.’

Florence Kimani is an instructor in the BSC program, teaching databases, programming, and cloud computing. She has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Kenyatta University, an MBA from the University of Nairobi, and is pursuing a PhD in Strategic Information Systems.

Ms. Kimani draws on the Oracle Academy curriculum for Java Programming, Database Programming with SQL, Database Design, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Foundations.

Oracle Academy: How did you get involved with Oracle Academy?

Florence Kimani: Naturally, I knew Oracle during my university studies, a big name in technology. When I joined Riara University, I found that the Dean of our school had chosen the Oracle Academy platform to be part and parcel of the drive to align teaching with industry requirements. Since many global systems are based on Oracle technologies and integrate with other platforms, these courses and certificates give students a definitive competitive edge.

I am currently using Oracle Academy Java, database and cloud resources; another colleague teaches Oracle Primavera P6 for project management.

Oracle Academy: Do you use the full curriculum for those subjects?

Florence Kimani: Because our curriculum is regulated by the Commission for University Education in Kenya, I align the materials to fit into the national framework. It’s a very close mapping and meets the main objective, of preparing people for computing jobs in industry and government.

Oracle Academy: How do you structure the teaching?

Florence Kimani: I start each semester by spending a few days going through the entire course content, including quizzes and final exams. This way the learners know what’s in store for them and can work at their own pace to complete the materials. Then we get down to the learning paths.

Using Java Programming, I guide students through coding exercises and projects that help them develop their programming skills. With the database curriculum, I focus on hands-on projects where students create and manage databases, giving them practical experience with SQL and database management.

I incorporate Oracle Cloud Infrastructure concepts and terminology into the database course, so they gain experience with cloud technologies, an important skill in today’s job market.

Oracle Academy: What projects do you assign?

Florence Kimani: Since our goal is to align teaching with industry requirements, I introduce them to cases studies they can relate to. For example, I have taken them to visit a geothermal plant outside Nairobi, where they get to understand the many areas of computing that makes the whole thing run. It is motivating for the students to grasp the vital role played by information technology. Naturally in class they follow Oracle Academy exercises such as building a customer database or a student management system.

Oracle Academy: And do you encourage certification?

Florence Kimani: Yes, certification is an important achievement, one which the School of Computing emphasizes. I prepare them for Oracle professional certifications, which provide concrete evidence of Java programming and database knowledge and skills. Some of my students have also earned the OCI certification, which is extremely valuable for advancing careers and driving success.

Oracle Academy: How would you describe the overall benefits to learners and instructors?

Florence Kimani: Taking myself first, I have been using Oracle Academy for nine years and it has been a great experience. The materials help me align to what is current in technology and really sharpen my way of thinking. They enrich me as a facilitator of learning, helping me to explain complex topics and making my work much easier by providing all the content I need for delivering Java, database and cloud computing classes.

Our learners, too, are tremendously happy with the content, which really helps them to get internships and reach the next level, whether this is employment or entrepreneurship. The materials are well-structured and systematic, allowing students to follow at their own pace. None of them have ever been stranded to a point of asking me for help! It is easy for them to follow through from one module to another and comfortably finish their final assessments.

Oracle Academy: What about professional certification?

Florence Kimani: The university awards Oracle Academy completion certificates, validating their database design and programming skills. Oracle certifications are recognized in the industry and can provide a competitive edge in the job market. The completion certificate, including Oracle Cloud skills, counts highly on their resumés.

I do not prepare them for the Oracle Certified Associate exams, but I do stress to them how important they can be; some have sat the exams post-graduation. Students today try to have as many skills and certificates as possible to be competitive.

Oracle Academy resources provide valuable industry skills. A few of my students have successfully launched startups and almost all have found computing job roles after graduation.

Oracle Academy: That’s terrific. And do you take refresher courses sometimes?

Florence Kimani: As an Oracle Academy member, we get the latest updates consistently, which helps me to stay on top of Oracle innovations. I also make a point of attending training sessions organized by Oracle Kenya, either face-to-face or virtually. We have to ensure that quality is maintained in our teaching. In addition, we often invite guest lecturers to our classes, from Oracle and from industry, which is another way for both learners and lecturers to stay abreast of new functions, features and Oracle’s amazing roadmap.

At the same time, I urge my fellow educators in computing and other departments to join the Oracle Academy Member Hub to access opportunities available to them. Riara University is an institution that strives to stand out in the technology industry.

Oracle Academy: Excellent. Are there other resources on your roadmap?

Florence Kimani: I want to explore as much as possible. I know the power of what Oracle can provide. To date we have not gone deeply into AI, but I intend to make use of the Artificial Intelligence with Machine Learning in Java curriculum before long.

Oracle Academy: We understand that you are involved in mentoring and also in encouraging girls to pursue ICT careers…

Florence Kimani: Yes, that is right. I believe in enriching the overall community by guiding the next generation. I spend significant time mentoring young people in personal growth and in career development, especially in terms of creating opportunities for young women. I am fortunate to be part of the HERizons project, an initiative aimed at producing enterprising women graduates who are capable of securing and thriving in employment in the fast-growing digital technology industry in Kenya. Its goal is to address the persistent gender inequality in women's employment and career progression in technology.

Oracle Academy: Can you tell us more about that?

Florence Kimani: HERizons is a Riara University project co-run with the UK’s Open University and EldoHub, a Kenyan organization that helps in preparing computer science pathways for women graduates. It is funded by the British Council. I am the project lead in the university, responsible for tracking work completed against budget and deadlines. 50 female students are taking part, along with 10 role models from industry and four academic mentors. I am doing this outside my regular teaching.

One of my main tasks is to review the case studies students share from their role model experiences. The idea is that students mirror the career trajectory of the role models, capturing and sharing these as short case studies and thereby gaining confidence to set their own pathways in line with their career aspirations. The 10 women acting as role models hold prominent ICT positions in Kenyan companies, the public sector, and consulting firms.

In parallel, there is a healthy dose of capacity building, in the form of skills development delivered through virtual webinars and face-to-face workshops.

The challenge is that statistics show that women are still not prominent in the ICT sector, especially in leadership positions. There is a clear gap, and it is our strong desire to have Project HERizons inspire more women to pursue fruitful ICT career paths.

Oracle Academy: That’s so inspiring! And do you have other activities outside of teaching and mentoring?

Florence Kimani: It is all connected, all about giving back to the community. Young people need guidance, in the workplace and spiritually. I am a Born Again Christian and I love sharing the word of God. The church and pastoring occupy me outside of the university.

Thank you, Florence Kimani, for your passion for Oracle Academy and for preparing your students to make a positive impact.