TAIRI Visit to DSAIL at Dedan Kimathi University, Kenya

From 18 to 20 May 2026, a TAIRI Lab delegation visited the Center for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (DSAIL) at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Kenya, to explore joint research and exchange opportunities between the two IDRC-funded AI labs.

BACKGROUND
Inter-lab collaboration among IDRC-funded AI labs is one of the key activities under the IDRC initiative. The TAIRI delegation led by Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, with Prof. Richard Musabe, Prof. Kizito Nkurikiyeyezu and Dr. Myriam Mujawamariya visited DSAIL to explore this collaboration and they welcomed by Prof. Maina Ciira, Director of DSAIL.

TAIRI team with Prof. Maina Ciira, Director, DSAIL

OBJECTIVE OF THE VISIT
The main objective of the visit was to explore and establish areas of inter-laboratory collaboration between TAIRI Lab, DSAIL and other research facilities at DeKUT.

TAIRI Team at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)

Two LAB PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
The visit began with introductory presentations from both teams. Prof. Maina Ciira, Director of DSAIL presented the Center's background, research focus areas, and ongoing projects, followed by the presentation of TAIRI Lab's research activities, on going projects, and strategic vision by Prof. Damien and the team .
Discussions covered joint research initiatives, student and staff exchange, co-supervision of graduate students, resource sharing, innovation commercialization, and collaborative academic activities such as seminars, workshops, and publications. Prof. Damien expressed TAIRI's interest in continued learning between the two labs through inter-lab exchanges. Researchers and students also presented ongoing projects, exchanged technical ideas, and discussed common research challenges across African communities.

Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura presenting the TAIRI lab

STUDENT PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
A series of presentations by DSAIL students and researchers formed a major component of the visit. Each was followed by interactive discussion, technical feedback, and recommendations from the TAIRI Lab team. Three of the projects presented are highlighted below:
· Project on Life on Silicon – Transferring Properties of Life to Robotics Bioacoustics Distillation for Edge Deployment
· Software Development and Data Annotation Systems
· Forest Monitoring and Digital Twin Technologies

A TAIRI lab team member providing feedback on DSAIL student presentations.

DSAIL students presenting their innovative research

VISIT TO THE SIEMENS MECHATRONICS CERTIFICATION CENTRE
The TAIRI team also visited the Siemens Mechatronics Certification Centre and observed several projects implemented using Virtual Reality. The Centre aims to bridge the gap between higher-education institutions and industry by providing professional training and research. The team interacted with a MSc student who presented a robot-simulation project for moving objects remotely, which allows students to access the lab remotely and run their experiments.

TAIRI team at Siemens Mechatronics Certiﬁcation Centre

An MSc student at the Siemens Mechatronics Centre demonstrating his robot object-moving project using simulation.

OUTCOMES AND NEXT STEPS
The visit strengthened academic and research links between the two institutions. Researchers and students exchanged ideas, showcased ongoing projects, and identified shared priorities in AI, environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, health technologies, and digital transformation areas where both labs see scope for joint work.
As a next step, the two universities will develop and sign a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the collaboration.