The C4DLab hosted a week-long training program for faculty on Design Thinking, an innovative problem-solving approach. Aptly named “Innovation Training,” the program, which ran from 2nd-6th September, 2024, aimed to equip educators with tools to foster creativity and critical thinking in the classroom.
Hosted in the PhD room of the Department of Computing and Informatics, the training attracted participants from various faculties within the University of Nairobi.
Aligned with Afretec’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pillar, the training was facilitated by Dr. Sam Ruhiu (Pillar Head) and Dr. Wanjiku Ngángá (department of Computing and Informatics). They were assisted by Mr. Peter Oketch (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Ms. Caroline Jelagat (Department of Environmental and Biosystems Engineering), and Ms. Faith Barasa (Department of Business Administration).
The first day provided a foundation for the Design Thinking Bootcamp, covering the historical development of Design Thinking and case studies from renowned global academic institutions. It also explored notable innovation failures, such as those by Thomas Edison and AT&T, often attributed to a techno-centric focus rather than a user-needs-driven approach. This also served to illustrate the need for tenacity in innovation. The day also involved team-building exercises to demonstrate the importance of teamwork, a crucial aspect of Design Thinking.
Speaking at the introductory stage, Dr. Ruhiu emphasized the importance of a thorough understanding of a need and developing products or services that resonate with it. He further stated that this is ideally a multidisciplinary team effort. “By employing design thinking, we can identify the most compelling need among potential users and develop targeted solutions,” explained Dr. Ruhiu. This concept, he added, “involves empathizing with the end-user, defining the problem, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing.”
There was consensus that a successful outcome requires a multidisciplinary team effort, collaboration, and a focus on human-centered design. Mr. Oketch, reiterated this point, emphasizing the importance of iterative work and prototyping. He encouraged participants to build and test multiple prototypes, emphasizing the value of action over inaction. Ms. Caroline Jelagat, on her part, emphasized the need for a paradigm shift towards research and entrepreneurship.
The training continued with field work on the second day, where participants encountered real-world challenges and collected data from university-based agricultural business activities. This experience took place at the university’s Upper Kabete Campus where the dairy farm and the pilot detergent production plant are located.
The third day focused on practical training and teamwork, including designing the Empathy Map and presenting insights.
The fourth day involved reviewing the Point of View, ideation, prototyping, testing, and presenting. Participants were guided through practical exercises, such as brainstorming sessions and prototyping activities. Dr. Ngángá, an innovation and internationalization enthusiast, made a presentation that framed Design Thinking as “a way for us to ask: Are we solving the right problem?” Then, she added, “As you try to ask the questions, you also get insights that lead to providing an ideal solution to the problem.”
Design thinking, Dr. Ngángá said, unfolds in three stages: the Observer Phase (Empathy), where the goal is to understand the problem of the human being and reflect; the Define Phase, which involves creative framing; and the Make Phase, where the innovation happens. Often there is a tendency to move too quickly past the second phase, yet the success of the final phase depends entirely on it.
Key questions posed during the training included: How might we (HMW) generate innovative ideas? How might we brainstorm effective solutions? How might we select the most promising solutions? How might we create and test prototypes?
At the brainstorming stage, Dr. Ngángá emphasized the importance of open-mindedness during brainstorming, encouraging participants to generate a wide range of ideas without undue limitations. She said, “When brainstorming, open yourself up to all sorts of ideas, even the weirdest, wackiest, or wildest—let your imagination work—without undue limits.” This is about being creative without letting limitations hold you back.
Ultimately, the participants presented their prototypes and shared the insights gained. The final day of training continued with a focus on prototyping and testing. The participants refined their prototypes and conducted peer testing to gather feedback. Additionally, they learned essential pitching skills and practiced making their pitches.
The final presentation showcased the prototypes and pitches, followed by a feedback session, where Dr. Ruhiu and the co-facilitators gave feedback, raising critical points to help improve the prototypes.
The participants received certificates for the training. They also gave a vote of thanks at the end, with Dr. Ann Pulei (Department of Human Anatomy & Medical Physiology) and Dr. Jackline Aput (Department of Diplomacy and International Studies) expressing satisfaction with the entire program and eagerness to escalate the knowledge, skills, and lessons.
Dr. Anne Pulei said that the training resonated well with all of the participants and cited its value: “This training has not only taught us how to do design thinking but I have learned how we can develop some of the resources in this university. Besides, I have met brilliant, innovative, and caring people.”
Dr. Aput said, “The training was an excellent and encouraging idea, with a team of very passionate instructors who have truly internalized this innovative concept. It is an eye-opener that we have to keep on learning.” She envisions a future where the team goes on to spearhead such training in the whole university.
Speaking at the end of the program, Dr. Ruhiu, the lead facilitator, said that the training now needs to be escalated to the faculties and the students, and the Afretec team is ready to support the participants, now champions of Design Thinking. He said, “We’ll stand with you in this journey.”
It was expected that by the end of the training, the participants would be able to:
- Discuss the value of Human-centered Design and Design Thinking for successful innovations
- Distill empathy from field observations and interviews
- Define the point of view statement
- Ideate for solutions
- Build and test prototypes
- Co-create innovative products and services in teams.
By enhancing faculty’s ability to drive innovation, the training sought to prepare students for future problem-solving challenges, especially those that could potentially result in innovative products, services, or experiences.
