CENIT@EA incorporates applied-oriented training modules and linkage to industry, as well as a strong focus on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The main academic aim of this project is to strengthen teaching and research in Embedded and Mobile Systems in East Africa. A high industrial relevance is ensured by the Excellence Centre at NM-AIST and thereby strengthens the employability of graduates. By cooperating closely with partners straight from the East African industry, new opportunities are offered to graduates, as their skills are directly matched to the region’s needs. Another focus is putting on capacity building not only in the field of higher education but comprehensively by extending the existing cooperation with local and regional stakeholders. The Excellence Centre will be supported all the time by an international academic and industrial consortium and operated by NM-AIST. Aligned to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), CENIT@EA builds on the following three pillars and respective outcomes:
Research and teaching: CENIT@EA deals with two research topics and two integrative cross-cutting themes that build on ongoing cooperations and complement the expertise of partner universities and companies as well as other internationally renowned institutions in Africa and Europe. Research in CENIT@EA is intended to be integrated into larger international networks.
Advancing practical capacities in local contexts: Based on a strong background of the African partners in community engagement, CENIT@EA also pursues to impact solutions on local and regional communities in Eastern Africa. The expertise in the different research fields will benefit communities through research approaches targeting practical solutions in close exchange with local and regional stakeholders.
Capacity building in higher education: Also, CENIT@EA addresses capacity building in the context of higher education in Africa with a particular focus on the use of innovative ICT solutions for distance-learning arrangements. A revised and new study programme at the master’s level tries to improve learners' as well as teachers’ capacities to act on behalf of embedded and mobile systems.
