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University Mtaani: Higher Education and Social Transformation from the Heart of Marginalized Neighbourhoods.
In Nairobi, Kenya, high levels of social exclusion and a lack of access to higher education in urban slums marginalize thousands of vulnerable young people. To address this issue, Tangaza University College founded the “University Mtaani” (Mtaani meaning “University in the slum” in Swahili) in 2012. This initiative helps empower young people facing socio-economic barriers and educational inequality, while identifying and nurturing talent within the community itself. It offers decentralized programmes that combine university-level education, leadership skills development and community engagement. The mission of University Mtaani —winner of the Uniservitate Award in 2024— is based on two core objectives: provide high-quality academic education directly in inner-city neighbourhoods and foster active civic engagement through solidarity service-learning to transform local communities.
Through diploma courses and training programmes in key areas such as Social Transformation and Community Development, local young people are empowered to become leaders capable of designing and implementing initiatives with real impact on their neighbourhoods. Students actively participate in hands-on service-learning experiences, conducting needs assessments and implementing solidarity-based solutions in direct collaboration with grassroots organizations. Therefore, University Mtaani democratizes access to higher education while establishing a paradigm where young people take on the civic responsibility for regional social development and resilience.
More information: https://www.uniservitate.org/featured_item/university-mtaani/