In an era where data drives decision-making, the ENGAGE project, spearheaded by the University of Nairobi (UoN) in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), is on a mission to empower adolescent girls and young women in Kenya. Through targeted training in data science, with a special focus on public health applications, the project, funded by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, seeks to equip participants with skills to harness the power of health data and foster equitable health policy decisions.

Globally, data science is transforming public health by enabling better predictions of disease outbreaks, resource optimization, and precision medicine. Yet, women remain underrepresented, comprising only 22% of AI professionals worldwide. This gender imbalance introduces biases in health systems and limits the potential for women to shape their health futures. The ENGAGE project—ENabling Girls in AI and Growing Expertise in Data Science—is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bridge this gap.

The need for ENGAGE is particularly acute in Kenya, where health systems are increasingly reliant on data for decision-making. However, with few women in the data science field, models used to predict health outcomes often fail to adequately reflect the needs of women and girls. Addressing this issue is not just about technology—it’s about social justice. Over its five-year course, ENGAGE will train 480 high school girls and 405 women in diploma programs, creating a pipeline of leaders in health data science.

The project housed at the University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID), under the leadership of Prof. Julius Oyugi, the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of UNITID, who also oversees the public health component. Dr. Timothy Kamanu, the Co-PI and Head of the Division of Data Analytics and Scientific Computing Laboratory (DASCLAB) in the Department of Mathematics, leads the data science component. UCSF, represented by Dr. Koki Kinagwi, the Country Director, brings expertise in health data science, precision medicine, and computational biology.

A defining feature of ENGAGE is its commitment to reaching young women in rural areas, where opportunities for advanced training in data science are limited. By partnering with six regional universities—Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Meru University of Science and Technology, South Eastern Kenya University, Kabarak University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, and Pwani University—the project ensures equitable access to transformative education.

In July 2024, Prof. Oyugi and the ENGAGE team delivered computers and essential equipment to these universities. This investment in infrastructure marked a pivotal moment for the institutions, paving the way for impactful training programs.

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