On Monday, 7th October 2024, Riara University witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between two of its esteemed partners: Elimu Holdings Limited and Eveminet Communication Solutions Limited. The primary aim of this MoU is to promote the integration of technology in the education space and a safe online presence. 

Elimu Holdings, an entity dedicated to connecting schools to the world through technology, Eveminet Communication, a reputable ICT consultancy focused on online safety and digital wellbeing and child protection, and Riara University joined forces towards the shared mission of enhancing digital presence and ensuring safe digital well-being for learners across the country. This partnership will integrate online safety and digital well-being modules into Elimu Holding’s school websites.

As Elimu Holdings’ CEO, Mr. Davis Waithaka explained, in today’s technology-driven world, having a digital presence is no longer optional, it is a necessity for educational institutions. Working with partnerships such as Ajira Digital and Riara University students, Elimu Holdings plans to create official websites for 40,000 public schools in Kenya through its Taking Schools Online (TSO) program and is ambitiously targeting to hit 100,000 public schools across Africa in the next five years. To keep these websites active and beneficial to teachers and students, Elimu Holdings regularly engages with school heads and responsible educators to ensure that the websites are effectively utilized. 

Evelyn Kasina, Eveminet’s CEO reiterated the importance of the entire ecosystem of the child being proactive in the approach of child safeguarding and protection noting that online safety is everyone’s responsibility. She also spoke about the active programs that Eveminet and Riara University is collaboration on such as #SaferTogether, an online safety and digital wellbeing program in partnership with TikTok currently being executed across the country. Evelyn spoke in excitement about her new role as a faculty member of Riara University’s Faculty of Education. The collaboration and work ahead in ensuring that we equip learners, parents and educators on Online Safety and wellbeing goes a long way in creating awareness, building resilience and capacity towards raising responsible global digital citizens. 

Riara University, through the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Robert Gateru, has been a proactive supporter of the utilization of technology in Education and online safety of these platforms. In collaboration with Elimu Holdings, the university has successfully facilitated the creation of websites for 10 schools within its community.

The partnership among these three entities marks the beginning of a collective effort to shape the future of education through technology while safeguarding the well-being of the young learners in these spaces. Beyond creating safe online spaces, this initiative will focus on keeping the channels between schools, the community, and technology providers open.