The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) has been strengthening its work in Digital Learning and Artificial Intelligence. From 26 to 28 January 2026, the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and UNESCO ICHEI organised the Phase 2 AI Advanced Training Module Development Workshop at Golden Tulip Westlands in Nairobi.
The three-day event brought together experts in educational technology, e-learning and instructional design from Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to build advanced training modules.
Two SUZA lecturers and educational technologists, Umayra M. Said and Said Yunus, took part in the programme. In total, Umayra contributed to four modules: two in Phase 1 and two in Phase 2.
Working alongside colleagues from Kenya and Tanzania, she co- developed the Phase 1 courses “Visual Storytelling with AI in the Classroom” and “Teaching with AI: Practical Tips and Prompts.” These offerings gave university staff practical tools for integrating AI into teaching and laid the groundwork for more advanced work.
During Phase 2, she teamed up with regional partners once again to design modules on “AI-powered Videos and Digital Avatars for Storytelling” and “Building Your Own AI Chatbots: From Basics to Implementation.” These new modules are being refined and will provide educators with hands-on
experience using cutting-edge AI tools. Said contributed to two modules. He co-authored the Phase 1 course “AI in Education: A Journey Through the Future Classroom,” which explored the pedagogical, ethical and practical dimensions of AI in higher education.
In Phase 2, he helped to develop “Empower Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide Backed by ADDIE,” a module that applies the ADDIE instructional design model to support lecturers and instructional designers in planning AI-enhanced courses. The Phase 2 workshop also focused on reviewing lessons from Phase 1, designing advanced learning activities and assessments, aligning AI tools with instructional design frameworks, and localising content for the diverse contexts of East African universities.
Participation in this regional initiative has enhanced SUZA’s ability to integrate AI into teaching, learning and research. The knowledge and materials developed through the IUCEA programme will support curriculum design, digital pedagogy and staff professional development. SUZA plans to organise internal workshops to share these modules and ensure that lecturers can adopt AI responsibly and effectively.
By working alongside partners across the region, the university is demonstrating its commitment to innovation and contributing to the growth of AI-enabled education in East Africa.