The just concluded launch of the AAN-DI Kick -off International Workshop in Kisumu by MMUST and its partners is set to revolutionize neurodiversity inclusion in Africa and Asia. The well-attended workshop themed ‘Inclusive Futures: Driving Digital Transformation for Neurodiversity in Kenya and India’ took place from Sunday 12th to Wednesday January 2025 at Ciala Resort, Kisumu.
The main partners in the project are Finland, Asia, Spain and Kenya while participating universities include Great Lakes University Kisumu (GLUK)-Kenya, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology- Kenya, University of Jyväskylä- Finland, University of Valencia-Spain, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay- India, and University of Kashmir, India.
PI, Dr. Susannah Otieno Leppänen and Co-PI’s from partner institutions and continents. MMUST’s Dr. Edward Khasakhala Okaya is standing 4th from left.
In an interview with the MMUST Communications crew, the Project’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Susannah Otieno Leppänen said that this project aims at changing the manner in which individuals and students with neurodiversity are perceived while at the same time building on the evidence from neuroscience and related studies to address the challenges of neurodiversity holistically.
“My desire was to turn around the perceptions and support for individuals and students with neurodiversity. Neurodiversity individuals are blacked out labelled and ignored to the point where they become invisible. I want to create tools, influence policy and champion the inclusion of all vulnerable people in the journey of development,” asserted the veteran researcher.
MMUST Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo (seated second from left), PI, Dr. Susannah Otieno Leppänen, Co-PI’s from partner institutions and continents together with a section of the participants during the AAN-DI Kick -off International Workshop
Speaking at the event, MMUST Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo encouraged participants at the neurodiversity workshop to share perspectives, and collaborate toward a vision where every individual regardless of neurodiversity - can thrive.
“Addressing these challenges requires global collaboration and local adaptation. By sharing knowledge and best practices, we can design solutions that resonate within our unique contexts. Cross-border partnerships have already made significant impacts, reshaping perceptions and opportunities for neurodiverse individuals,” stated Prof. Shibairo.
From right: DVC, Academics and Student Affairs, MMUST- Prof. Hussein Golicha, Principal Investigator, Dr. Susannah-Otieno Leppänen and VC- GLUK- Prof. Hazel Misenda Mumbo.
Reiterating other scholars and speakers at the well-attended event, the DVC, Academic and Student Affairs, MMUST- Prof. Hussein Golicha noted that neurodiversity is a phenomenon that requires a multifaceted approach, especially in this era of digitization in the workplace. “We should appreciate diversity and digitization in neuro-diversity. Let us work together to address the challenges that come with it,” he said.
MMUST’s Co- Investigator in the AAN-DI Project, Dr. Edward Khasakhala, a passionate educator of learners with neuro-diversity in Kenya expressed satisfaction with the timing of this important project, which he said has come when global attention is shifting towards neurodiversity.
“Through the project we are going to establish an FMRI facility at MMUST, which will help us to do more science on brain activities. We will then be able to remediate difficulties encountered by people with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia and other neurodiversity problems,” disclosed Dr. Khasakhala.
MMUST’s Co- Investigator in the AAN-DI Project, Dr. Edward Khasakhala (far right) and colleagues from MMUST-Dr. Ogutu and Dr. Bill Ouda.
The topical focus areas covered in the workshop were: ‘The role of Higher Education Institutions in Building Awareness and Capacity for Neurodiversity Inclusion in Kenya and India’ by Professor Hazel Miseda Mumbo, Great Lakes University Kisumu, Kenya; ‘Effects of Digitalization on Internet reading and Information Use’ by Prof. Lalo Salmeron, University of Valencia, Spain; ‘Technology as a Tool for Empowerment: What role can assistive technologies, AI, and VR play in supporting neurodivergent individuals? Practices Kenya can learn from India’ by Prof. Azizuddin Khan, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India; ‘Digital Wellbeing for Neurodivergent Populations: The key strategies that can be used to address online safety and reduce risks of digital exclusion for neurodivergent persons’ by Prof. Showkat Ahmad Shah, University of Kashmir, India; and ‘Advancing Equity in Digital Inclusion: How can organizations and policies be geared to drive equitable access to digital technology and resources’ by Dr. Edward Okaya, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya.
Participants at the Neurodiversity Launch and Kick-off workshop at Ciala Resort, Kisumu.
There were also Parallel Interactive Group Sessions involving Work Packages (WP) leaders, co-leaders as well as representatives from other universities. The aim was to develop Work Packages that will guide the project in the areas of Digital Wellbeing and Inclusion, Transversal Digital Competencies for Neurodiversity, and Sustainable Digital Transformation for Neurodiversity.
A section of participants with the PIs and Co-PIs.
Other partners participating in the project are Pasca Medical Foundation and Mudasa Group of Schools. The proprietor of Mudasa Group of Schools, Ms. Velma Mudanyi, whose school is a case study in the project stressed on the need for support systems and being proactive in dealing with situations that trigger neurodiversity, adding that it is now time for counseling as opposed to disciplining students with neurodiversity.
Twenty-one (21) staff from MMUST participated in this important workshop which began on Sunday 12th January 2025 went on up to Wednesday, 15th January, 2025. Indeed, this is an indication of how important this project is to MMUST as a partner and an institution of higher education.
Prof. Azizuddin Khan, Indian Institute of Technology (IITB) -Bombay, India, explains a point during the event. Seated with him are colleagues from partner universities in Asia.
Undoubtedly, this project is a game changer in the fight to mitigate challenges experienced by learners with neurodiversity problems, including eye tracking, difficulties in mathematics, reading, and comprehension. Dr, Khasakhala and the AAN-DI Project team have catapulted MMUST into the center stage of brain research, something that will impact communities in a meaningful way and address the stigma and shroud of mystery that have surrounded neurodiversity for years!
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Shiundu Masafu
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
