Bridging Continents: African–European Youths Collaborating for a Diverse and Digital Future
A ten-day cross-continental programme has been designed to explore opportunities in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural exchange. This initiative brings together academics, policy makers, and technology experts to promote inclusive digital growth across Uganda and beyond.
Kampala International University (KIU) has partnered with Utrecht University of the Netherlands to strengthen research and capacity in digital education and innovation between Uganda and European youths. The collaboration aims to bridge Africa’s digital divide and empower young innovators through shared knowledge and skills.
The 2025 International Summer School was hosted by KIU over the weekend under the theme “Bridging Continents: African–European Youths Collaborating for a Diverse and Digital Future.” This initiative creates opportunities for young people in Uganda to engage in digital learning and innovation.
During the launch in Uganda, Ms Christine Mugimba, the director of ICT and research at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), praised both universities for connecting young people through digital learning and innovation. She emphasized that such collaborations are vital for addressing barriers that limit youth participation in the digital economy and ensuring inclusivity in technology-driven futures.
“The future of Uganda’s development goes beyond academics — it is about giving our young people tools to create solutions that matter, and this lies in how we leverage technology to improve access to education, health, and employment,” she said.
She further noted that these collaborations help bridge the gap between innovation and community impact, ensuring that digital technologies reach marginalized communities, especially women, youth, and people with disabilities.
The KIU Vice Chancellor, Prof Muhammed Ngoma, highlighted that the partnership aligns with their vision to position Uganda as a hub for digital innovation in Africa. He explained that the programme would equip students with practical digital skills while linking local researchers to international networks for digital exposure.
“Statistics and facts indicate that Ugandan youths have very low levels of digital literacy, actually among the lowest globally. This hinders our youths from leveraging digital tools and technologies for education and innovation,” he said.
Prof Ngoma added, “Most youths in Uganda use digital tools for unproductive activities. Many lack the skills to authenticate or exercise due diligence over what they post or read on social media platforms. This collaboration goes beyond academics — it is about giving young people tools to create solutions that matter through fostering shared diversity and youth empowerment through collaboration.”
He further emphasized that the Summer school is designed to equip youths with the skills to identify and filter misinformation and disinformation, while learning how to harness digital tools for education, knowledge, innovation, and other productive activities.
The 2024 Ubos statistics reveal a concerning digital divide, with only eight percent of women aged 15 and above using the internet, compared to 11 percent of men.
Representatives from Utrecht University echoed their commitment to promoting sustainable digital solutions tailored to local needs. They emphasized that digital literacy and inclusion should form the backbone of Africa’s education systems if the continent is to compete globally.
Activities of the engagement, which is to continue at the KIU Western Campus in Ishaka, include digital innovation boot camps, cultural exchange programs, and research clinics. These sessions aim to strengthen collaboration, encourage creativity, and promote mutual understanding between African and European students.
The KIU–Utrecht partnership marks another step in Uganda’s growing embrace of technology-driven learning, with potential ripple effects on employment, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion.
According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the unemployment rate stands at 12.3 percent with 42.6 percent of youths aged 15-24 not in employment, education, or training.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the digital skills acquired through the programme are expected to further bridge the gap between education and employment. He explained that students will learn techniques that enable them to create self-employment opportunities, secure online jobs from home, or even work while still attending university.
“These skills will empower our youths to transform their education into tangible economic opportunities, whether through online work, entrepreneurship, or projects they develop while at university to minimize reasons of insufficient capital as contributing to unemployment,” Prof Ngoma said.