Research & Product Development
About R&D
C4DLab promotes multi-disciplinary research, capitalizing on a diverse network of faculty and graduate students at University of Nairobi and beyond. C4DLab works with several partners on research projects that shape policy on Innovation, Education, Technology and entrepreneurship. Some of the research at C4DLab evolves into products of commercial value or public good, whereby through rigorous ideation and prototyping the innovation hub releases products and services for consumption in the market. C4DLab focuses on developing products that are informed by genuine problems and real partners. We fall in love with the problems before the solutions. To read about some of the products out of C4DLab research.
PROJECTS
ReadyToWork
ReadyToWork is a partnership program between Barclays Bank and C4DLab, the Innovation Hub of the University of Nairobi. The programme aims to equip learners with the right skills to help them transition from education into the world of work. ReadyToWork provides learning material that will help enhance work, people, money and entrepreneurial skills needed to improve employment or self-employment prospects.
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UON Bikeshare
The UoNBikeShare is a transportation system which provides a fleet of bicycles for use by anyone within the service area for an established time-based price. Typically, bikes must be picked up and returned to the docking stations. Bike share providers typically price rides to encourage short trips and function as a “last mile” solution for transit riders to reach their destinations which may be inconvenient or too far for walking or by local transit.
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Cloud Computing in Kenya – A 2013 Baseline Survey
The aim of the study was to provide an understanding of the current status and trends for cloud computing in Kenya from a number of perspectives, including adoption, impact and policy. Beyond the understanding, the research aimed at providing recommendations with specific interventions needed to spur the growth of the sub–sector.
OERisation
With funding support from Hewlett Foundation and technical support from UNESCO, University of Nairobi (through the C4Dlab – the Innovation Lab at the University), was commissioned to OERise four courses.
The process of OERising the four courses was independent and C4DLab had the privilege of deciding on the courses as well as independently learning how to OERise them. The experiment involved customizing a framework to the local context and using it to OERize four courses offered at University of Nairobi.
Google MLab
The Internet has a huge community of over 23 million users in Kenya. This ever-increasing number makes use of a large range of applications. These applications generate a highly diversified data traffic and require reliable infrastructure. As a function of this diversity, providers, users and operators need to understand the dynamic structure and behaviour of the network. Since end-user applications cannot get bandwidth guarantee from the network, a culture of bandwidth measurement needs to be developed.
Kakuma App
Problem: Refugees find it very difficult to locate their loved ones in refugees camps once they flee a
country.
Solution: Develop a centralized service where any refugee in search of a loved one can register then later be found. The solution will be used by aid workers in order to better help refugees mainly because they might not be fluent in the usage of applications or may not have access to internet.
Impact of Cloud Computing on Healthcare Services in East Africa – “A Case of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
The establishment and growth of network infrastructure in Africa, driven largely by a growing mobile operators covarage, has made cloud based systems increasingly viable. A number of countries have deployed cloud based healthcare solutions to enhance the quality of services provided to healthcare seekers. Not only are some solutions at national level, many are at clinic, hospital or program level.